The Brighton Santa dash is on Saturday 8th December at 10.30am and is raising money for Rockinghorse. This local charity supports The Royal Alexander hospital for sick children. Some of these children may be facing a pretty tough Christmas this year. I reckon the least we can all do is chuck on a Santa suit, run 5km, raise some money and in doing so put a few more smiles on little faces this Christmas.

"Go on then, how much is it?"

It only costs £12 to enter this superb event and that includes your race entry, your Santa suit and your bespoke medal, I know good isn't it!

We are also encouraging every Santa to try and raise a minimum of £20 for this worthy cause.

Where will all the Charity money raised go?

We are aiming to raise £20,000 for this Children's hospital. I'm no Miss Vorderman but that works out as £10 from 2,000 people, £20 from 1,000 people or a one off payment from a Russian tycoon. Great as that would be we're not holding out too much hope of that happening so we are really going to need your help with this.

Is there anything else going on?

We are hoping for some Carol Singers and some free mince pies from any one of the three cafes situated around the course, we will let you know about that. There will be a "Santa's little helpers" run for all the kids and that will start at approx 10.20am. If you're under 7 you will need to be accompanied by your parent or guardian, "Bad luck Dad that's an extra 500 metres for you!"

How do I sign my child up for this and how much is it?

If you're running in the adults race and wearing your Santa suit it will be free for your child to run in the Santa little helpers run. If not it will cost £2 to enter. The kids run will start next to the Meeting Place Café, 500m before the start line for the main race.

Course Outline

The Brighton Santa dash race route is a nice flat one out and back run so this is a course to get that elusive PB on, just make sure you're beard and Santa trousers are safely secured before take off.

The Adult Santa run Start and Finish line is 500 metres up from the Peace statue opposite Adelaide Crescent.

The course heads west up the Seafront Esplanade for 2.5k.Once you get to Hove Lagoon you turn around and head back to the Start / Finish line.

Toilets

As well as the portable toilets at the start line there are also four other toilet stop opportunities on the course at 200m,1.5k, 3.5k and 4.5km

Parking

There are a number of NCP car parks within walking distance of the course.

There are multi store car parks on West Street, Russell Square and Churchill Square. There is also hourly parking on the Kings Road (seafront road) itself.

Travel by train

Brighton train station is situated in the middle of town at the top of Queen's road. From the station the seafront and our Santa dash venue is about a 10 minute (15 minutes if you are carrying a sack of presents) down West Street and along towards Hove. Keep your eyes out for a sea of red hats!

Changing

We recommend arriving at the event in some sort of sport kit, you'll pick up your suit at the start.

This is going to be a superb fun event with lots of giggles, a bit of gentle exercises, some money raised for a genuinely good cause and a few unexpected surprises.

See you on the start line!