Grab your fancy dress and get running! There’s money to be raised, says Kurtis Stacey…

This month’s column isn’t about me giving you advice on how to get fit, or what the latest workout is. No, this month’s column is dedicated to my favourite event of the year, the Santa Dash.

It’s not about running the fastest or beating your personal best – it’s about joining together for a great cause and if you can get fit in the mean time, then why not? In my opinion, this is your chance to finish the year strong no matter what kind of 12 months you’ve had. So get up, get out and have some fun because after all it’s Christmas (nearly)!

The Santa Dash events are the UK’s biggest series of festive 5K fun runs. I’ll be doing the Liverpool version on Sunday 3 December, which sees 10,000 like-minded Santas pull on their running shoes and transform the city into a sea of red and blue Santas for the 14th annual event. But you can also find the Santa Dash held all over the country. Head to www.santadash.co.uk and you’ll no doubt find one on your doorstep.

The Liverpool event certainly keeps on getting bigger and better, which is great news for the official charity, Claire House Children’s Hospice, which has bases in Liverpool and Wirral. Why not dash and raise cash for a worthwhile cause near you, or join me?

In Liverpool, a whole ton of Santas will gather at Pier Head Liverpool and navigate a route that takes them through the city centre and over the Churchill fly-over, everyone’s favourite part of the course!

You can expect to see festive characters and even a bit of snow as you cross the finish line at Liverpool Town Hall.

Youngsters aged 12 and under even have their own 1K Mini Dash, so the whole family can get involved. The Liverpool Santa Dash is open to everyone and is accessible to all. Each year the event attracts individuals, families, charity runners, work places, and corporate organisations.

Wheelchair participants and prams are also welcome – unicyclists and Santas with four-legged friends have also all been spotted along the route adding to the fun.

Call into the BTR pop-up shop in St Johns Shopping Centre, where you can register and collect your Santa suit. You can also visit the BTR shop at 82 Market Street in Hoylake, Wirral.

All Santas receive a bespoke finishers’ medal and the entry fee includes a Santa Dash suit. For full details or to register online visit www.btrlivepool.com

Next month, normal service resumes as I’ll be sharing my outdoor mountain workout in preparation for helping my mate train for conquering Everest!