Carlisle Santa Dash & Fun Run 2026

The Carlisle Santa Dash & Fun Run is a charity event held in Bitts Park, Carlisle, beginning at Sheepmount Athletics Stadium in early December. It features a 5 km Santa Dash and a 2 km Fun Run or Walk, suitable for runners, walkers, families, and children. Participants wear Santa suits, and the 5 km dash is manually timed, not focused on chip timing or competitive racing. The event supports Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, with organizers intending to donate a significant portion of the entry fees. Santa suits are included with Fun Run entries, available in children’s sizes for ages 5 to 8 and 9 to 14, and a single adult size. Children under 5 participate for free. Local organizations such as Sport in Action, Carlisle Tri Club, DH Runners, Border Reiver Runners, and volunteer marshals assist with the event's operation at no cost, and no individual prizes are awarded, emphasizing the charity as the primary beneficiary.