Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
11-montH-olD siGns up For DunDEE BAntA DAsH
AN 11-month-old tot has been signed up for Dundee’s first Santa Dash.
The inaugural event, being backed by the Tele, is on Sunday November 26. Organisers hope between 1,000-2,000 people will sign up for the 2km official Dundee Santa Dash, which will start and finish at City Square.
The route includes the Murraygate, Meadowside and Reform Street with all proceeds to go to the Archie Foundation, the official charity of Tayside Children’s Hospital.
Adults and children of all ages can take part — quite literally.
Bosses at Leisure and Culture Dundee, which is leading the event, said the youngest registered for the event was an 11-month-old while the oldest — so far — was 69.
Garry Smith, events and promotions officer at Leisure and Culture, said: “We’re really excited about the Santa Dash.
“It’s going to be a fantastic day out for the whole family with a unique opportunity to run a city centre route.
“Plus it’s for a good cause, as all the money raised will go to The Archie Foundation.
“We’ve had a great response so far but we’re hoping to get as many Santas as possible so we’d encourage everybody to sign up, whether they want to run or walk the course — everyone’s welcome.”
Children on a holiday football camp at the GA arena — organised by Leisure and Culture — got the chance to try on some of the suits ahead of the dash.
The suits have been brought in by organisers and will be handed out to participants.
Those who enter will be supplied a suit if needed, which is included in the price of admission, but people are free to bring their own.
Garry added: “Its absolutely great. This is the first time we’ve seen this amount of people dressed up as Santa and this is only a small amount, so you can imagine what its going to be like with hundreds of people in City Square dressed up as Santa.”
Everyone who participates will get to keep their Santa suit, take home a medal and a certificate as well as a bag of goodies with discounts for local stores.
Participants are invited to dress up in other Christmasthemed outfits, with prizes for the best dressed.
The Tele will publish a special commemorative pull-out after the dash with photos of the day alongside a “Santa’s Roll of Honour”.
For the chance to feature and take part, people can sign up at leisureandculturedundee.com/ santadash.
The idea for the Santa Dash has been inspired by the success of the event in cities such as Glasgow where more than 7,000 Santas have turned up for previous events.
There will also be plenty of other fun to be had on race day with Radio Tay providing music and chat to keep the crowds going.
There is also the possibility of a choir being established on the day to support those taking part. Ourvoice PAGE 16