Santa Dash

Over 7,000 [TBC] off-duty Santas lined the famous Liverpool Waterfront today for the annual gathering of Santas, ready to race in what has become the UK’s largest gathering of Santas. The atmosphere built up from 8.30am to a crescendo of Ho! Ho! Hos! as Santas from far and wide began arriving in front of the World Famous Pier Head, a World Heritage Site.

I arrived at Exchange Flags, near the official finish line ready to meet up with members of the Rhys Jones Memorial Fund, who kindly invited me to be their photographer for the race. Included in their team were Big Brother winner, Craig Phillips and Michael Shields. They were joined by The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Mike Storey CBE.

Afterwards, we hurried towards the start line to join the thousands of other Santas who were already warming up with the help of members of the Santa Dash community who kindly took to the stage to warm up everyone’s muscles before the race. This, accompanied by a drumming band and festive music ensured that the gathering crowd became excited and eager to start.

Shortly after 9.30am we were once again joined by The Lord Mayor of Liverpool who was there to start the race. The race began with the usual sprint from the beginning from those who use the opportunity to add a competitive edge to the gathering. It was nice to see so many blue Santas this year, officially endorsed by the organisers and who ran for The Everton Foundation Team.

I knew that 20 minutes after the race had begun; some of those more competitive Santas would be arriving at the finish line, so I quickly began to run towards Liverpool’s stunning Town Hall. Here the finishers were treated to a blanket of snow plus applause from the watching crowd. Once again, looking down to the bottom of Dale Street were hundreds of Santas snaking up and over onto the Churchill Way Flyover was a site to behold. Then the heavens opened, it began to pour down and I decided to call it a day and make that bizarre journey back to car walking with wet, tired Santas!

The organisers pulled it out the bag this year, providing what was in my opinion, the best Santa Dash ever! Fingers crossed we have regained that World Record which we narrowly missed last year!

Video

View the video on youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMpsVCdgkf0

Photographs
You can view my photographs by clicking here: Liverpool Santa Dash 2009 Gallery

Appeal
I want your pictures for the Liverpool Santa Dash 2009 Gallery. Please email them to this address and I will begin to add them to the gallery.

Facebook Group 2010

Join the Liverpool Santa Dash 2010 page now! http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?id=544398994&gv=12#/group.php?gid=189198088030