Despite the best ever turnout in Liverpool over the last eight years the World Santa Challenge for 2011 has gone to Las Vegas who pulled together a huge crowd of 8,123 Santas at the Town Square Retail Park. Numbers were close all the way up to last weekend with both sides keeping in touch with progress either side of the Atlantic. The Great Santa Run in Las Vegas is staged the day before the Liverpool event as it acts partly as a warm up event for the Las Vegas Marathon which happens the following day.

Linda Smith, The Las Vegas Santa Run Coordinator said…” this is a fantastic day for all those taking part in Santa runs across the world and I’m especially pleased that we have just beaten the Liverpool Santa Dash to the title this year. Liverpool has led the way for Festive Fun Running for many years now and we are so pleased to have beaten the best. The competition is what drives the interest between our two great cities and it’s a compliment to all those taking part that in these difficult financial times that so many people can participate and raise so much money for charity! Let’s go again next year Liverpool!!”

This is the eighth year the Liverpool Santa Dash has taken place and just last year the Liverpool event comprehensively beat Las Vegas by more than 2,000 Santas. Although there has been a modest increase this year of just 99 entries it was clearly not enough to beat off the determined challenge of Las Vegas.

Alan Rothwell, Liverpool Santa Dash organiser said… “ I knew from speaking to Linda in recent months that they were going out to win back the World Santa Challenge title and it is disappointing to have lost out after a great performance last year. We will need to show just as much determination next year and bring the SanTaz trophy back to Liverpool in 2012.

I would like to say a massive thank you to all those that made the day the best yet, despite the poor weather conditions. Well done to everyone”.

A sea of red and blue Santas filled the streets of Liverpool for the annual Santa Dash which saw the real Father Christmas arrive by helicopter with two of his elves to officially start the 5km fun run.

A total of 7,411 people took part in the fun, beating last year’s figure of 7,312 runners.
Organisers Run Liverpool, hope to retain the world record which was set in Liverpool last year, but the official count for the Las Vegas Santa Dash won’t be known until later this week. Alan Rothwell, race director at RunLiverpool, said of the day, “it’s been a fantastic turn out and we are head to head with Las Vegas, we are counting final numbers now it’s going to be a close competition indeed.”

Participating charity partners Liverpool Echo Unites and Radio City’s Cash For Kids were among many who were raising vital funds for young people across the region, including Claire House and Help The Heroes. Sarah West and 15 of the crew from HMS Shoreham which docked in Liverpool this week also joined the team.

Queenies Charity Patron Esther McVey joined Santa Dash ambassadors Craig Phillips, champion boxer David Price and LFC legend Alan Kennedy. Liverpool Leaders, Lord Mayor Cllr Frank Prendergast joined MP Steve Rotherham and Cllr Anna Rothery on the start line to address the runners in a series of interviews.

Lord Mayor Cllr Frank Prendergast says “Anything that raises money for charities in these very difficult conditions is so great. Liverpool is famous for its charitable nature bringing people together for the many organisations which rely on our support. No matter whether the donation is big or small it all means so much. An event like this which raises so much for so many charities is fantastic! We want to keep the World Santa Challenge title in Liverpool so we can continue to raise much needed funds.”

Celebrity hairdresser Herbert Howe, who brought the real Santa to Liverpool said, “It’s unbelievable he’s here in Liverpool. It’s my time to give magic to the city. At this time of year not everybody gets the opportunity to visit Santa in Lapland so I wanted to bring Lapland to Liverpool and what a great turn out. Queenies charity is in memory of my mother who would love nothing more than the city to unite together at this time to believe in the magic of Christmas.”

Ricky Tomlinson and leading lady of stage and screen Jennifer Ellison supported the runners along with Santa from the Town Hall balcony as the winners made their way through the streets of Liverpool to the finish line.

Everton and Liverpool Football clubs participated in the race with legends Joe Parkinson for the blues and Alan Kennedy for the reds whose sporting achievements stretch far and wide. Alan Kennedy said, “This is what Christmas is all about, seeing the kids so happy. There’s such a great atmosphere in this great city today.”

After the race a special VIP reception was held in Sakura Liverpool where guests enjoyed a special selection of Japanese food served with flare in the sumptuous private dining area.

Christine Chellew of Chellew productions who launched the ‘Back the Dash’ campaign with Runliverpool said, “I want to say a huge thank you to all who have backed the dash this year and for making the day so memorable for the city”.

Radio City Pete Price asks you to “Back The Dash.” During his show on City Talk he invited all his viewers to join the dash and was joined by Santa himself who made a surprise visit.

Pete is a Patron of Queenies Charity, set up by Herbert who are hosting their ball this evening (Thursday night) raising much needed funds for children across merseyside.  Pete will join patrons on Sunday to welcome back the runners joining Santa on the Balcony of Liverpool Town Hall.
The real Father Christmas will start the dash on Sunday in an open top car and greet all at the town hall before starting the mini dash for an expected 800 children who are taking part.

St Helens captain Paul Wellens also showed his support for the Santa Dash this week at the Saints brand new state-of the-art-stadium, Langtree Park.

Expecting a bit of banter in the new changing rooms after sporting the Santa suit Paul said, ‘This is all for a great cause, the Liverpool Santa Dash is the biggest festive fun run in the world and is a fabulous event which unites the city while raising much needed funds for local charities. It would be amazing to see Liverpool keep the title in the UK for a second year running so let’s all Back The Dash!

Known locally as ‘Mr St Helens’ Paul Wellens is still widely regarded as one of the best full backs in the world and is excited about taking to the field for the Saints’ first game at Langtree Park on 20 January 2011 when they take on Widnes in the Karalius Cup.

With just one week to go don’t miss your chance to join the race and lets win the World Santa Challenge Trophy for Liverpool and make it the biggest and the best Santa Dash yet! Santa Dash Collection is from Rapid Hardware, Williamson Square, Liverpool at these times:-
Monday – Friday 9.30am – 5pm
Saturday – 10.00am – 5pm
Sunday – 11.00am – 4pm
Suit Collection will stop at Midday on Saturday 3rd December.

Although the mini dash is for under 12’s, anyone can take part as they too can contribute to the World Record attempt as long as they wear the official Santa suit provided.

Start approx 11am once the main body of the Santa Dash has returned. To enter go to santadash.runliverpool.org.uk

Joe said, ‘This is a massive date in the Liverpool calendar and anyone who can run it should run it! It will be another amazing day for the city.’

Lynda Headingly of Scarisbrick Hall School said, ‘this is a fabulous opportunity for the children to take part in such a massive event in the city and we are encouraging all our children and their families to Back the Dash and complete the run on 4th December to help Liverpool retain that all important title.’

For 2012 the RunLiverpool Marathon will feature a two day Expo and Registration in the heart of city centre which will add significantly to the big city marathon atmosphere.

Come and take part in THE Long And Winding Road Race in 2012. RUN IT! LIVE IT! LOVE IT!

To enter, go to www.runliverpoolmarathon.co.uk

Liverpool Hairdresser Herbert is making this Christmas special for Children and people of all ages as part of ‘Queenies Christmas,’ a charity set up in memory of his mum to benefit young and old during the festive season.

Queenies Christmas will be flying the real Santa Claus and his helpers from Lapland to Manchester airport on December 3^rd where he will spend one week in Liverpool to spread Christmas joy among young and old alike in the city. He will be landing by helicopter to start the World Famous Santa Dash with the backdrop of the liver buildings among 7,000 Santa’s.  This year we are competing against Las Vegas and New York to keep the title in Liverpool.  He will be at the finish line on the balcony of the Town Hall were Castle Street will be closed to enable the spectators to see him.   Patrons of Queenies charities are Ricky Tomlinson, Jennifer Ellison, Claire Sweeny, Pete Price, Esther McVey, Danny McCall and Billy Butler, it is anticipated they will join Santa to greet the runners from the Balcony.

Santa will start the mini dash at 11.00am before proceeding onto his winter wonderland home in the Bling Bling building on Hanover Street.  The Liverpool Echo, BBC radio Merseyside, Radio City 96.7 and Juice Fm are giving their listeners the opportunity to win a meet and greet with Santa after the race by entering an online poll by visiting their websites or clicking directly on www.runliverpool.org.uk

Herbert commented “It’s unbelievable he’s coming here to Liverpool.  It’s my time to magic to the children of Liverpool.  At this time of year not everyone gets the opportunity to visit Santa in Lapland so I wanted to bring Lapland to Liverpool.

My mum was a wonderful lady she gave me a magical life and taught me to appreciate the values of Christmas time, a time for forgiving and forgetting and celebrating.  She would love nothing more than the city to unite together at this time and for us to believing in the magic of Christmas.  Queenies Christmas Gala ball this year ‘Bonsoir Paris’ is held in Knowsley Safari Park on December 1^st and is set to raise large funds for Queenies Christmas.  We’d love for you to join us and help us help the children.”

Each year on Christmas Day Queenies Charity seats 500 people at the Adelphi for Christmas Dinner for those who would otherwise be alone at this time of year.  150 young carers from Barnardo’s have already visited Blackpool illuminations and plans are in place to take 200 children and 150 carers to the Royal Court Theatre during Panto season.  Queenies Christmas also supports The Lord Mayor of Liverpool’s Christmas Party for 250 under privileged children at the town hall in December as well as a Christmas Lunch for 600 pensioners.

Herbert will also be doing his usual visit to whiston Hospital and the Royal Hospital Liverpool on Christmas Day with gifts for the children and Alder Hey Hospital on December 5^th.  Children are invited to visit Santa at his grotto on the following days at the Bling Bling Building.

Tuesday 6^th December                        3pm – 7pm

Wednesday 7^th December                   10am – 2 pm and 3pm – 7pm

Thursday 8^th December                       10am – 2pm and 3pm – 7pm

Friday 9^th December                           10am – 2pm and 3pm – 7pm

Saturday 10^th December                     10am – 2pm and 3pm – 7pm

On December 4th thousands of runners will take to the streets of the city to defend the World Santa Challenge title in this years annual RunLiverpool Santa Dash and we are calling on all you Everton Fans to join the dash in your blue suit supporting Everton in the community.

Everton Legend Graeme Sharp is proud to represent the blues in a bid to call for more fans to take part this December. Legend Ian Snodin and former manager Joe Royle who is geared up to start the dash this year also join Graeme and believe this event is a great way to bring together both sides of the city in a bid to raise funds for charities across the region.

Everton’s official charity, Everton in the Community, is aiming to recruit 1878 fans to run the Santa Dash through Liverpool City centre and raise £50,000.

And for those supporters who don Blue Santa suits and complete the 5K course, they will have the opportunity to buy a ticket for the Stoke City fixture on 4 December for just £15 for adults and £7.50 for juniors.
Although, the two big sporting events are on the same day, the race begins at 9.30am so there’s plenty of time to get to the game. 

If everyone raises a minimum of £25 for the 4 December race, the Community stands to garner close to £50k in vital funds for its wide-ranging schemes. 

For fans who have already signed up to the race, they can contact Fundraising Officer, Carena Duffy, to purchase their discounted ticket on 0151 530 5260.

 For more information or to sign up, simply call our fundraising team on 0151 530 5260 or email carena.duffy@evertonfc.com.

ENTRIES FOR ALL FESTIVAL OF RUNNING RACES (INCLUDING THE WOMEN’S 10K) WILL BE OPEN ON MONDAY, 30TH JANUARY.

Entries for the Women’s and Men Only 10K will be available either by the online facility or paper entry form to download. The other six events can be entered by paper entry form only. These will be available to download by 30th January or you can enter in person at the event office at Natterjack Running Centre in North John Street.

If you would like an entry form before 30th January please send a request by email to alan.rothwell@btconnect.com and one will be sent by return.

Saturday 5th May & Sunday 6th May.

A new race and running event format is being introduced to the Liverpool event calendar next year with an amalgamation of some existing and some new events coming together to create the Liverpool Festival of Running.

This innovative arrangement will see seven races and fun runs take place over two days and there will be something for everyone whether you are fast, steady or just looking to start.

Consideration is being given to host three x 1 mile runs, three x 5K runs and two x 10K races.

 On Saturday 5th May, Sefton Park will host a 1 Mile fun Run for under 12s, a 1 Mile Run for beginners and 1 Mile Invitation Race for Merseyside Club Athletes.
In addition, the day will also see a Women only 5K then the Big Heart 5K which has been hosted in August in recent years and finally the 5K Team Challenge. That is sure to deliver a full and demanding programme of racing throughout the day which will be followed by a Day 2 programme which will deliver the long established Women’s 10K to be staged at midday with a new Men Only 10K being staged at the earlier time of 10.00am.

It is expected that a wide range of other activities will be introduced to the day to create a new and innovative race day experience!

Plans are now underway to add some detail to what will promises to be an exciting two days of running in what is probably THE most popular location for runners and joggers in Merseyside at Sefton Park.

Further details will be posted as and when confirmed.

As the initial race limit of 12,000 was not reached in the first year there is no need to defer entries to 2012 as the entry limit for year 2 can be increased (or reduced) to ensure the correct amount of race collateral is purchased in advance of the day.

It is important to understand that for every potential deferred entry there is a direct cost of approximately £12 to the race. This is made up of actual costs relating to the purchase of an anticipated number of print items, running numbers, medals, timing chips, Goody Bags and content, water and other race requirements.

Whilst on an individual level it may seem a simple enough request, the potential cumulative cost of around 20% deferrals (1,800 entries) would mean a cost of in the region £21,600. This is clearly a significant cost. The event already has an expected drop out rate of 15% which would be a conservative estimate. Deferments would merely compound the problem.

As previously mentioned, as there is no absolute restriction on the number of entries that can be taken next year there is no need to defer places. As with the London Marathon, it would be expected that deferred entries would have to pay the 2012 entry fee anyway so consequently it is an easier process to not take deferment requests.