Go Dasher, Go Dancer, Go Prancer and Visitors

A Santa fun run that has been dashing through Edinburgh’s West Princes Street Gardens for the last 20 years is sprinkling its festive magic with visitors to the city, according to organisers. 

When You Wish Upon a Star says the annual fun run has seen thousands of participants over the decades, including many from Europe, USA and Asia, pulling on a Santa suit for the children’s charity. 

While the majority of participants are repeat runners and local to Scotland, this year they will be joined by ‘Santas’ from South America, USA, Spain and Denmark in the 2.5km fun run and walk. 

The charity says visitors who have travelled to experience Edinburgh’s Christmas festivities end up taking part. The latest visitor research by national tourism organisation, VisitScotland, shows that more than one in ten visitors to Edinburgh travel here for an event or festival. 

Winter events like these help support VisitScotland’s sustainable tourism strategy by providing an incentive for overnight and day visitors to take a trip during the colder months, extending the benefits of tourism across the year. 

Santa runs are found across the world, with many taking place across Scotland, including Falkirk, Perth, Glasgow and Aberdeen. According to Guinness World Records, the largest Santa Claus run saw 4,983 participants don the jolly red suit in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA, on 17 December 2016. 

Hundreds are set to take part in the Edinburgh Santa Run on Sunday, 8 December. Registration begins at 9:30am until 10:45am, with the run beginning at 11am. 

Participants can pre-register online before the day and all receive a Santa Suit or Elf Hat to don in the event. 

Neil Christison, Regional Director at VisitScotland, said: “Edinburgh’s Christmas is hugely popular with visitors, so it comes as no surprise that some want to get in the festive spirit and don a Santa suit for this fun run through the city’s West Princes Street Gardens. 

“Encouraging seasonal spread and helping tourism and events to extend the season are a key part of our work to make Scotland a must-visit, must-return year-round destination. 

“Events like these not only help raise much-needed cash for charities but can also provide an incentive for people to visit those destinations during the winter months.” 

Judith King, Scotland Regional Fundraiser at When You Wish Upon a Star, said: “We are very excited to be celebrating 20 incredible years of our much-loved festive fundraiser. Over that time, we have seen amazing participants from across the world, from North America to Asia, join in the fun and help support our magical wish granting work. 

“We have proudly granted wishes for children, such as dancing at the Nutcracker Ballet, seeing Taylor Swift at Murrayfield, and being guest of honour at the One o’clock gun at Edinburgh Castle. Each wish is unique and strives to deliver a powerful legacy of creating magic and precious memories. 

“We can’t thank everyone enough for their unwavering support to the Edinburgh Santa fun run and walk each year, from the amazing team at Edinburgh’s Christmas and local authority groups to our sponsors, volunteer wish team, and, of course, our participants.” 

When You Wish Upon a Star was established in 1990 and grants wishes to children aged 4–17 who live with life threatening or terminal illnesses across the UK. 

For more on the Edinburgh Santa Run https://www.whenyouwishuponastar.org.uk/events/2024-12-08-edinburgh-santa-run  

ENDS 

Image credit: When You Wish Upon a Star

Edinburgh insight paper https://www.visitscotland.org/research-insights/regions/edinburgh-lothians  

Guinness World Records https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/89627-largest-santa-claus-run