Entries are now open for Dorothy House Hospice Care’s 8th annual Santa & Elf Run on Sunday 9 December. The 2.5k or 5k fun run is open to all ages and will be held at Bath Spa University near Corston. Last year almost 300 runners took part in the fun run and raised over £11,000 of vital funds to support the work of the hospice, and the charity is hoping to exceed this sum in 2018.
Dorothy House provides specialist palliative and end of life care for people living with a life-limiting illness in Wiltshire, Bath & North East Somerset and Somerset.
The race is open to all the family, with the route including rural footpaths and pass by a castle, a lake and even a garden temple! Look out for an exciting Snow Station to run through in the scenic grounds of the university. Dogs are welcome on site but are not permitted to take part in the fun run.
Families, friends and supporters are invited to come and cheer the runners on and sprinkle biodegradable snow on them as they pass by. Festive fancy dress is welcomed by all and refreshments will be available to buy at the University Refectory so it’s an event for everyone to enjoy.
The fun run starts at 11am, with registration from 10am and a warm-up session at 10.50am. Entry costs £15 for 12+ years and £7.50 for 5-11 year olds. All 12+ year old participants will receive a Santa suit at registration and 5-11 year olds will receive an elf hat included in their entry fee plus free refreshments after the run. All runners aged 16 years and under must be accompanied by an adult.
All adult entrants are asked to raise £40 in sponsorship or make a donation of £40 in lieu of sponsorship to help support Dorothy House Hospice Care. Sensible footwear is a must and as the route is mainly gravel or tarmac, it is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs but be aware there is a hill towards the end. Entries close at 5pm on Thursday 6 December.
Photograph Colin Raynor Photography
Emily Knight, Event Fundraiser at Dorothy House Hospice Care, said, “This year we’re inviting families and children to take part as well as more serious runners and the fun run has a 2.5k and 5k route. We can’t wait to see all the Santas and elves taking to our exciting new course to raise money for their local Hospice. Why not sign up the whole family!”
Bethan Good from Trowbridge explained, “December 2017 was the second time I’d taken part in the Santa and Elf fun run and I really enjoyed it. I took part in memory of my wonderful mum, Margaret Smith, who was cared for by the hospice in September 2015. It was a great chance to raise money for a wonderfully caring hospice. I’d highly recommend the fun run to anyone so throw on a Santa suit and enjoy a jog or a walk in the countryside.”
Please visit the website to sign up for the event at www.santaandelfrun.org.uk. If you would like to support Dorothy House by volunteering or a donation please visit www.dorothyhouse.org.uk or call on 01225 721 480.