Our UK Top 20 Christmas Race Recommendations 2022
Written By: SportsShoes
With Christmas just around the corner, there’s plenty of running fun to be had throughout December and into the New Year!
So, why not get yourself down to one of these festive runs and join the thousands of Santas, Elves, Reindeers and more who will be walking/jogging and running and racing all over the UK.
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Photo by Vlad Tchompalov on Unsplash
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Here are our UK Top 20 SportsShoes recommendations for the best road, trail and fell races for Christmas 2022;
(Please note: These races are listed in date order, not in order of recommendation)
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- THE SALCEY FOREST CHRISTMAS 10K & 5K (Northampton)
- SALTASH SANTA FUN RUN (Cornwall)
- CHRISTMAS AT THE CASTLE 5K (Dover)
- PERCY PUD 10K (Sheffield)
- RUN DURHAM DALTON PARK WINTER 10K (Seaham)
- LANGDALE CHRISTMAS PUDDING 10K (South Lakes)
- RUNTHROUGH BATTERSEA PARK SANTA RUN 5K & 10K (London)
- RUN4ALL SANTA 5KM RUN (Port Talbot, Wales)
- TELFORD 10K (Shropshire)
- FRIDAY NIGHT UNDER THE LIGHTS 5-MILER (Battersea Park, London)
- TURKEY TROT (Hurst Green, Lancashire)
- SANTA'S SPECIAL (Rotherham)
- RUNTHROUGH 'CHASE THE MOON' BATTERSEA PARK SANTA RUN 5K & 10K (London)
- AYRODYNAMIC 10KM TURKEY TROT & 5KM FUN RUN (Ayr, Scotland)
- THE CHEVIN CHASE (Otley, West Yorkshire)
- JOLLY HOLLY JOG 10K (Ripon)
- WANSFELL PIKE (Ambleside, South Lakes)
- THE RIBBLE VALLEY 10K (Lancashire)
- DALESIDE AULD LANG SYNE (Haworth, West Yorkshire)
- PODIUM 5K (Barrowford, Lancashire)
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1. THE SALCEY FOREST CHRISTMAS 10K & 5K (Northampton)
Saturday 3rd December 2022 @ 10am
Celebrate Christmas in style with these festive 10k & 5k races on undulating forest paths and trails in and around Salcey Forest.
The event is open to runners of all abilities, from novices to experienced athletes and is perfect for those new to running. If 10k is too far why not try the 5k option? There will be bespoke medals and festive goodies on offer to all finishers.
Type: Trail Race (Undulating)
Most suitable for: All abilities
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2. SALTASH SANTA FUN RUN (Cornwall)
Saturday 3rd December 2022 @ 2pm
A family fun run from Saltash, across the Tamar Bridge and back again, a distance of just under 2 miles. This event forms part of the Saltash Christmas Festival. Entry fee includes a Santa suit and medal for all finishers.
Type: Road Race (Undulating)
Most suitable for: All abilities
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3. CHRISTMAS AT THE CASTLE 5K (Dover)
Saturday 3rd December 2022 @ 6pm
This will be a unique event, with a 5k run in the iconic surroundings of Dover Castle. Open exclusively for the event with amazing views of Dover Castle lit at night and views across the English Channel. The course is unique taking in the impressive Dover Castle with spectacular view across the English Channel. There will be hot drinks, refreshments and entertainment available.
There are prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd male and female,1st male and female VET40, 50 and 60 and a team prize (three to score).
*YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A HEADTORCH OR CHEST MOUNTED TORCH DURING THE RUN (WHICH YOU MUST BRING WITH YOU)*
Type: Unmeasured Road Race (Undulating)
Most suitable for: All abilities
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4. PERCY PUD 10K (Sheffield)
Sunday 4th December 2022 @ 9:30am
The event has grown in popularity from the first race in 1993 when 600 finished the race to recent years when the entry has had to be limited to around 3,000. Such is the demand for numbers that in each of the last 10 years the race has sold out ahead of time.
Why is it so popular? Traditionally each finisher in the race receives a Christmas pudding for their efforts. Food and seasonal music are provided after the race. Of course, the route is not bad either.
For many, the Percy Pud signals the start of the festive period.
Type: Road Race
Most suitable for: All abilities
*UPDATE* ENTRIES NOW CLOSED FOR 2022 (Entries open for next year in September 2023)
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5. RUN DURHAM DALTON PARK WINTER 10K (Seaham)
Sunday 4th December 2022 @ 10am
Starting near the renowned Dalton Park Shopping Outlet, this 10km race is an adventurous route involving 1km on trail, as well as tarmac paths throughout.
Chip Timing will be used on this accurately measured route. All finishers will receive a bespoke medal and an optional race T-shirt available at an extra cost.
Type: Multi-Terrain Race
Most suitable for: All abilities
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6. LANGDALE CHRISTMAS PUDDING 10K (South Lakes)
Saturday 10th December 2022 @ 10am
Enjoy a scenic 10K road course through the beautiful Great Langdale valley in the South Lakes. The Langdale Christmas Pudding run has become a popular event to start the festive season.
Type: Road Race (Undulating)
Most suitable for: All abilities
7. RUNTHROUGH BATTERSEA PARK SANTA RUN 5K & 10K (London)
Saturday 10th December 2022 @ 11am
Battersea Park is one of London’s most picturesque parks and has been a favourite course for those wanting to run a PB! The course is totally flat, offering the perfect opportunity to push yourself to a personal best. Starting and finishing at the Parks Bandstand, this course laps the park making it easy to follow and great for any spectators to catch you flying around the course.
As always with RunThrough, you will each get a themed medal, water and post-race snacks on the day. Each kilometre is accurately marked out with signposts and there are plenty of helpers to keep you on track and to encourage you on your way to the finish.
Type: Fast and flat (Park)
Most suitable for: All abilities
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8. RUN4ALL SANTA 5KM RUN (Port Talbot, Wales)
Saturday 10th December 2022 @ 11am
This friendly 5k Santa Run is back!
Fully chip timed and licensed by Welsh Athletics, this is a flat and fast race with an added twist - you'll be wearing a Santa Suit (provided)! The 5km run consists of one small loop and one large loop, taking in both the upper and lower promenade. It is a fully tarmac course.
Type: Road Race
Most suitable for: Suitable for experienced club runners and beginners alike (age 11+)
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9. TELFORD 10K (Shropshire)
Sunday 11th December 2022 @ 10:30am
Statistically proven as the fastest 10k course in the UK, the Telford 10K is returning in 2022. This is a generally flat 2 lap traffic free tarmac out and back course using Telford Town Park, as well as the Silkin Way.
Incorporating the 2022 England 10k Championships, the England Athletics Age Group Masters Qualifying event, and Inter-Area Match.
Type: Road Race
Most suitable for: All abilities and particularly those wishing to achieve a personal best time
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10. FRIDAY NIGHT UNDER THE LIGHTS 5-MILER (Battersea Park, London)
Friday 16th December 2022 @ 7pm
A fast, flat, 3 lap course around Battersea Park in South-West London with chip timing.
Type: Fast and flat (Park)
Most suitable for: For aspiring Club Runners (Entry Standard: Sub 38-00 mins Men, Sub 43-00 Women for 5 miles)
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11. TURKEY TROT (Hurst Green, Lancashire)
Saturday 17th December 2022 @ 1pm
A 5-mile trail race with a bit of everything, including some amazing prizes for the best fancy dress outfits! So, get your Christmas costumes dusted off for this one - it's an event not to be missed!
Type: Trail Race
Most suitable for: Runners of all abilities, in particularly those who like to dress up!
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12. SANTA'S SPECIAL (Rotherham)
Sunday 18th December 2022 @ 10:30am
The race is a two lap off road event on footpaths through fields & woodland & is approx 4.5-miles long.
Type: Trail Race (Undulating)
Most suitable for: All abilities
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13. RUNTHROUGH 'CHASE THE MOON' BATTERSEA PARK SANTA RUN 5K & 10K (London)
Wednesday 21st December 2022 @ 9pm
Battersea Park is one of London’s most picturesque parks and has been a favourite course for those wanting to run a PB! The course is totally flat, offering the perfect opportunity to push yourself to a personal best. Starting and finishing at the Parks Bandstand, this course laps the park making it easy to follow and great for any spectators to catch you flying around the course.
As always with RunThrough, you will each get a themed medal, water and post-race snacks on the day. Each kilometre is accurately marked out with signposts and there are plenty of helpers to keep you on track and to encourage you on your way to the finish.
Type: Fast and flat (Park)
Most suitable for: All abilities
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14. AYRODYNAMIC 10KM TURKEY TROT & 5KM FUN RUN (Ayr, Scotland)
Monday 26th December 2022 @ 11:15am (5K), 12pm (10K)
Blow away the Christmas cobwebs with one of these Boxing Day races!
Both the 5km fun run AND the 10km race are PRE-ENTRY ONLY. Chip-timing will be used for both races.
Type: Road Race
Most suitable for: All abilities
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15. THE CHEVIN CHASE (Otley, West Yorkshire)
Monday 26th December 2022 @ 11am
The Chevin Chase is a hilly, multi-terrain race starting and finishing in Guiseley via a scenic 7-mile circuit of Otley Chevin and traditionally always held on Boxing Day.
It's a popular race within the Christmas festivities, with race proceeds supporting local community organisations. The race is now 44 years old. This year the organisers will be increasing the number of entries to 2000, starting in two waves. It is chip timed and a technical T-shirt is awarded to all finishers.
Type: Trail Race (Challenging)
Most suitable for: Keen trail runners
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16. JOLLY HOLLY JOG 10K (Ripon)
Tuesday 27th December 2022 @ 11am
A one lap, scenic, multi terrain undulating course of approximately 10k which is run mainly on footpaths through the magnificent Studley Royal deer park.
Type: Trail Race (Undulating)
Most suitable for: All abilities
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Photo by Fil Mazzarino on Unsplash
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17. WANSFELL PIKE (Ambleside, South Lakes)
Tuesday 27th December 2022 @ 12pm
This classic up and down 2.1-mile route is a festive favourite for fell runners.
Although short and sweet this race should not be underestimated as the route is very steep and extremely rough underfoot. Slippery, wet conditions can make the descent treacherous and if the mist is down the ability to navigate is essential.
Please bring your full FRA kit to registration with you. Kit will be checked before registration. No kit; no race.
Please read the FRA safety requirements here before you enter.
Type: Fell race (challenging)
Most suitable for: Experienced fell runners
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18. THE RIBBLE VALLEY 10K (Lancashire)
Tuesday 27th December 2022 @ 12pm
This fast, traffic free and chip timed 10K is organised by Blackburn Harriers and sponsored by Forbes Solicitors. This race also incorporates the North of England 10k championships.
Type: Road Race
Most suitable for: All abilities, but very popular with elite road runners
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19. DALESIDE AULD LANG SYNE (Haworth, West Yorkshire)
Saturday 31st December 2022 @ 11.30am
Starting from Penistone Hill Country Park, this 6.7-mile route heading towards Top Withens, the upper reaches of Ponden Clough and Stanbury Moor. Traditionally, this race always attracts an all-star line up at the sharp end of the race, with Olympic triathletes, Alastair and Jonathan Brownlee AKA. The Brownlee Brothers, often making an appearance.
Fancy dress is always encouraged for this race, so make sure you come well prepared as there are plenty of prizes on offer!
Type: Fell race
Most suitable for: All abilities
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20. PODIUM 5K (Barrowford, Lancashire)
Sunday 1st January 2023 @ 1pm
Start the New Year in style with the fastest 5K in the country! This iconic course is lapped around the Steve Burke Cycle Track in Barrowford and there's a good chance the winner will hold the 5K record for the UK in 2023! ;-)
Individual races start times will be communicated by email by the event organiser nearer the race.
Type: Fast and flat (Cycle track)
Most suitable for: Fast/elite athletes looking for a 5K PB
