Santa Run - North 2026

The Santa Run - North begins and ends at Durham Rowing Club, offering families a choice between a 2.5k lap or a 5k fun run. The event emphasizes Christmas dressing-up over competitive racing. Participants are encouraged to wear Santa suits, elf ears, reindeer antlers, snowman costumes, or other festive attire, and can run, walk, prance, or dance the course. The distances accommodate various ages according to UK Athletics guidelines, allowing children and parents to participate together. The course follows a marked trail alongside the River Wear, with Durham Cathedral visible. All finishers receive a Christmas-themed medal and a festive goody bag. The event also features Christmas music, prizes for best costumes, and mince pies. It is a relaxed, family-oriented run where the costume contest and finish-line refreshments are as significant as race times.