One of the UK's longest running Santa fun runs is to take place in Lincoln today

It'll be a sea of red with as many as 2000 Santas taking part this year

Author: Charlotte LinnecarPublished 17th Dec 2023

As many as 2000 people - dressed in Santa Clause costumes - will be walking and running in Lincoln today.

Taking part in one of the UK's longest running Santa Fun runs, it'll be hard to miss in uphill Lincoln, and now in its 18th year, the Lincoln Santa Fun Run is one of the longest running festive fun runs in the UK.

This annual event is fun for the whole family, and a great way to start the Christmas celebrations - all whilst raising money for charity.

Doug Scott organised the event with the Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia and tells us why he thinks it's done so well:

"Of course there are lots of Santa Fun Runs and dashes around the country but what makes this one - I think - quite special is the backdrop. So you're starting in Castle Square and going through historic uphill Lincoln with a sea of red flowing through the beautiful Lincoln so it does make it a bit special.

"Even last year, it was very successful - it was very cold, in fact - for the first time we almost had to cancel, because it was ice with rain on the forecast, so we had about 1,200 runners last year, as of today, we're expecting to have around 1,600 or 1,700 this year, with about 1,000 spectators to be cheering them on."

He told us more about what it's all about and what people will be able to see:

"There's lots of Santa costumes, there's lots of dogs dressed up - we have about 65 dogs this year. We have a 30 foot high inflatable Santa in Castle Square and the Mayor of Lincoln starts the event... and it actually has become part of Lincoln's festive calendar really.

"We have people coming from all over Lincolnshire, all over the country and in fact even from overseas. Because it's the week before Christmas it's an event where people come and families join up and they often use the Santa Fun Run as part of that Christmas get-together."

The event has sponsorships from the City of Lincoln Council, and Street Chartered Accountants, to Rand Farm Park, and The White Hart Hotel. Plus many more.

There's also 16 charity partners including our own charity Cash 4 Kids, alongside Marie Curie and Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.

Finally, in hopes to increase stocks for Lincoln Community Larder, each runner has been asked to bring a single item of food to donate.

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