Liverpool Santa Dash 2024: time, route and road closures

Thousands of Santas are expected to take over Liverpool as the annual BTR Santa Dash returns. The festive 5k fun run is returning to the city centre today, Sunday, December 1, for a milestone year.

The Christmas tradition began in 2004, thanks to race director Alan Rothwell and has only grown since - last year's dash drew over 6,100 Santas. At this year’s event, nearly 8,000 are expected to take on the route in support of Claire House Children’s Hospice.

Kicking off at the Pier Head at 9.30am, the course takes runners through the Royal Albert Dock and onwards into the heart of the city. Making a finish outside the Town Hall, Santas will be greeted by a spectacle complete with characters on stilts and "real" snow.

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Alan said: "When I visited a Santa run in Newtown in Wales in 2003, I was captivated by what I saw – and just knew this was something Liverpool really needed. Press the fast-forward button, and here we are, counting down the days to our milestone 20th anniversary year.

“It's a magical day, and if you've never seen the spectacle with your own eyes, it really does have to be seen and believed. It's magical and the perfect way to begin the city's festivities."

Mini Dash

It's not just the adults who get to have all the yuletide fun; children aged 12 and under will be joining in on the merriment, too, with the mini dash 1k. Setting off at around 11am from Castle Street after the main event concludes, the kids' dash follows a city-centre route leading up to the same finish line again.

Charity

The BTR Liverpool Santa Dash will officially be started by Rachel Marnell, a Walton mum who is running in memory of her late daughter Phoebe. Claire House Children’s Hospice, which offers care for terminally ill children and young adults, is the official charity partner for the event this year.

Ms Marnell said: "No words will ever be enough to explain how grateful we are for the support and care given by Claire House at the most difficult time of our lives. Thanks to the Butterfly Team at Claire House, we were able to spend the most precious time with Phe, which we will cherish forever.

"I would be lost without the continued support of Claire House; between the therapy and care they provide, as well as the many special events they hold in memory of our children, they really are angels without wings." Ms Marnell will be running her third Santa Dash alongside Claire House mascot Claire Bear and an array of Santas ready to walk, jog or run the 5K distance.

Route

Road closures

Traffic on The Strand will be held at 9:25am until the last runner enters James Street. Runners cross the grandstand finish line outside Liverpool Town Hall between an estimated time of 9:50am and 10:45am. The following 18 roads will be closed to accommodate the event:

• The Strand

• Hartley Quay

• Salthouse Quay

• Gower Street

• James Street

• Lord Street

• North John Street

• Victoria Street

• Stanley Street

• Dale Street

• Hatton Garden

• Vauxhall Road

• Leeds Street

• Old Hall Street

• Tithebarn Street

• Moorfields

• Dale Street

• Liverpool Town Hall

Roads will be re-opened on a rolling basis as the event passes through and when it is safe to do so. Castle Street and James Street will remain closed until the end of the event. Back markers are expected to pass certain locations at estimated times:

• Gower Street turning into The Strand: 9:45am

• Lord Street turning into North John Street: 10am

• Vauxhall Road turning into Leeds Street: 10:15am

• Old Hall Street turning into Tithebarn Street: 10:30am

• Dale Street to Town Hall: 10:45am

Leeds Street will be open towards Scotland Road only. The ECHO will be bringing you all the latest photos of the festive fun, so be sure to come back later today to see if you can spot yourself.