Festival des courses de Pères Noël transforms Toruń into a sea of red Santa outfits in early December. This road-running event in Poland offers several distances: 5 km, 10 km, 15 km, and a half marathon of 21.0975 km. Nordic walking is also included, making the day suitable for more than just runners focused on their times.
The course winds through the old Gothic sections of Toruń, with local residents offering encouragement and jingle bells on pet collars contributing to the Christmas atmosphere. Following the race, many participants remain in the city to explore its monuments, visit the Living Museum of Gingerbread and participate in traditional gingerbread baking, or take their families to the Planetarium. Ciechocinek is also a nearby option for a brief excursion.