Impressive 6,100 Santa's Dash Round Liverpool To Mark Milestone 20th Event For 2023

LIVERPOOL was transformed into a sea of red, blue, and mini Santas last weekend for the milestone 20th staging of the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash.   If you missed our 2 part coverage in the previous 2 editions, you can see them by clicking on these 2 links now:- Part 1, Part 2.

A staggering 6,100 dashing Santas took part in the festive spectacular, with many regarding the event as the real kick-start to Christmas in the city. This year's turn out was the biggest group of dashing Santas since 2018.

The event took place on Sunday 3 December; and is believed to be the UK's biggest festive 5K fun run.

As well as Santas from the North West Region, others had travelled across the country to take part, as well as those visiting from:- Australia, Bangkok, Denmark, Ireland, Norway, and Spain.

The very 1st Liverpool Santa Dash took place in 2004. It was created by BTR Liverpool Race Director Alan Rothwell. BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for creating, managing, and delivering headline running events across Liverpool City Region

Over 2 decades, the event has continued to evolve. In 2007, the 1K Mini Dash for youngsters aged 12 and under was added to the day, while blue Santa suits were introduced in 2010 due to public demand.

In 2018, the 5K route was changed to include the Grade I Listed Royal Albert Dock Liverpool estate following the demolition of the Churchill Flyover in Liverpool city centre. The waterfront attraction has played a vital part on the day ever since.

Entries are open for the 2024 event on:- Sunday, 1 December 2024. Blue Santa places are limited; register at:- BTRLiverpool.Com.

The Liverpool Santa Dash entry fee covers all costs to organise and deliver the event including:- road closures, safety measures, Santa suits, medals, goody bags, and entertainment.

This year's official charity partner was Alder Hey Children's Charity, with Radio City as media partner. Supporting partners were:- St Johns Shopping Centre, Arriva North West, and Royal Albert Dock Liverpool.

The main 5K Santa Dash started at Pier Head Liverpool, before taking Santas through Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, and round the city centre. Before a grandstand finish outside Liverpool Town Hall; complete with stilt-walking festive characters and:- 'real' snow.

It was followed by the 1K Mini Dash, which started in Castle Street and shared the same Dale Street finish line.

The day's special guest was Alder Hey patient Lincoln, aged 5 from St Helens. The youngster has undergone open-heart surgeries at Alder Hey. His infectious enthusiasm and positivity made him shine; and he was chosen to represent the charity at the event.

Lincoln was given the honour of officially starting the Santa Dash; and was joined on stage by his family Mum Tanya, Dad Mathew, and brothers Deacon, Mac, and Jaxon. Lincoln later took part in the 1K Mini Dash, supported by Alder Hey mascot Oli the elephant who ran in the main dash.

Alder Hey Children's Charity's aim is to deliver a fun-filled and positive experience for families, often at the toughest times, by raising money for innovative projects and creative activities.

Thanks to generous donations, the charity has proudly pioneered life saving treatments and provided comfort for young patients and their families. Funds raised will support its work to transform young lives through state of the art equipment, facilities, and ground breaking medical research.

Monies have already passed £16,000 for Alder Hey's Santa Dash fundraising campaign. Donations can still be made through the charity's official Just Giving Page.

Ahead of his guest of honour duties, Santa Dash organisers BTR Liverpool arranged for Lincoln to visit St Helens Community Fire Station to meet the crew. He was given the full fire Station experience; being shown round the fire engine, shooting water, trying on a fire helmet, and a ride in the engine. The crew also presented him with his very own large toy fire engine to take home, T-shirt and baseball cap.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service firefighters and non-operational staff have been taking part in the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash since 2007.

This year a team of 100 Santas; including:- Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan; represented the organisation to support the ethos of health and wellbeing while supporting the community event. This is the largest group they have ever had taking part.

Radio City Breakfast Show presenters Leanne and Scott welcomed Santas to both events. Leanne also took part in the main Santa Dash with a team who applied through the radio Station called Leg It With Leanne.

Guests also included the Deputy Lord Mayor Of Liverpool Councillor Richard Kemp, who was supporting his wife Erica in the main dash; and original Big Brother winner Craig Phillips, wife Laura, and 2 children.

For 5 weeks, Santas have visited the Santa Dash pop up shop at St Johns Shopping Centre to sign up and collect their Santa suits. The shopping centre has supported the event since 2017, and this year a team of 20 took part.

Arriva North West supported the event for the 6th time with free bus travel across Merseyside on Santa Dash day; both travelling to and from the event.

Other highlights on the day included a 1st time appearance for Rock Choir Liverpool, who performed as Santas ran into Royal Albert Dock Liverpool before they headed to the finish line to entertain Santas in Water Street.

Liverpool drumming band Katumba once again wowed Santas and spectators with their performance on Dale Street, before a grand finale to bring the event to a rousing close once all the mini Santas had completed the course.

Volunteer teams also play a big role on the day, with thanks being extended to Everton in the Community, Goodgym Liverpool, North West Air Ambulance, as well cadets from 4 Coy Merseyside Army Cadets from units in Allerton, Aigburth, Norris Green, and Old Swan.

The BTR Liverpool Santa Dash is an accessible event open to everyone, from those running purely for fun to groups of fundraisers. The event acts as a platform for community groups, businesses, and charities to fundraise independently while taking part.

Santas walk, jog, or run alongside wheelchair participants, families, groups of friends or colleagues; even tiny Santas in prams and 4-legged furry Santas.

The BTR event portfolio runs throughout the year and also includes the:- 52 mile Tour Of Merseyside, Liverpool ½ Marathon, and Mersey Tunnel 10K. Its extensive portfolio covers various distances across different terrains, all with an ongoing commitment to sustainability.

BTR Liverpool Race Director Alan Rothwell commented:- "When I visited a Santa run in Newtown in Wales in 2003, I was captivated by what saw; and just knew this was something Liverpool really needed. Fast forward 20 years, and after plenty of hard work and dedication, Liverpool now has the biggest festive 5K fun run in the UK. This year's milestone event brought together 6,100 red, blue, and mini Santas for the most magical day to kick-start the city's festivities. It's a day really like no other; the sight of thousands of Santas gathering under the gaze of the Liver Birds on the banks of the River Mersey is now iconic. It's been a pleasure to work with our partners:- Alder Hey Children's Charity, Radio City, St Johns Shopping Centre, Arriva North West, and Royal Albert Dock Liverpool. The BTR team would also like to say a huge thank you to every Santa who made the day so special. Have a great Christmas and we'll see you on 1 December 2024."

Next up in the BTR event calendar is the 30th Anniversary BTR Liverpool ½ Marathon and 10 Mile Road Race on:- Sunday, 17 March 2024.

Details about the BTR event portfolio can be found at:- BTRLiverpool.Com.

Early Christmas present for small businesses as Ofgem heeds FSB's calls for help ahead of winter freeze

UTILITIES remain a cost driver for a majority of small firms, according to recent FSB research; comment from FSB Merseyside and Cheshire

The gas and electricity regulator Ofgem has heeded FSB's calls to help struggling small firms this winter in proposals that would see the gap in treatment between domestic and business customers reduced and action taken against utilities companies with poor customer service.

FSB has welcomed Ofgem's consultation on the proposals, which include extending access to the Energy Ombudsman for all firms with fewer than 50 employees; currently this only applies to microbusinesses (with 10 employees or under).

In addition, many small businesses rely on energy brokers to secure the best deals; but the costs of these services are often hidden in their supply contracts. The proposal to require energy companies to show the 2 costs separately would give a better understanding to small businesses of what they are paying for and help build confidence in the 3rd Party Intermediaries industry.

Further, the move to expand existing rules on Standards of Conduct to all businesses regardless of their size is also welcome. This would send a clear message to energy suppliers that there would be no tolerance of unfair treatment of their small business customers.

Commenting on the development, FSB's Merseyside and Cheshire Development Manager, Phil McCabe, said:- "This move from Ofgem is good news for small businesses in Merseyside and Cheshire, and across the UK, who are facing up to a difficult winter ahead with steep utilities costs still having a major impact. It shows the energy regulator has listened to FSB's calls to take action against poor customer services and narrow the treatment gap between small businesses and domestic customers. The consultation is encouraging news, and we hope these proposals will be implemented swiftly. Memories of last year's energy price crisis have not faded and our research illustrates the need for even firmer action from Ofgem to protect the small business community against mis-selling energy contracts and being trapped in unaffordable tariffs as we head into winter."

Utilities remain a major cost barrier for a majority of small firms, according to FSB's latest Small Business Index, which shows over 57% of small businesses in the UK cited utilities as the main cause for rising business costs in Q3 this year, down only slightly from 62% the previous quarter.

FSB also believes that microbusinesses should be given more flexibility to cancel a contract through access to a 14-day cooling off period. This would put them on par with domestic customers.

Standing charges continue to be an issue; we have heard examples of a small garden centre paying £1.20 standing charges per day. FSB would like to see a freeze on standing charges over the winter period due to the current economic climate.

Some small businesses are still trapped in the high, fixed energy tariffs from 2022 and unable to benefit from the lower wholesale energy prices we see today. In 1 case, an independent retailer pays 75p per kWh for electricity while a small pool club is charged 66p.