Hurry! Last spots filling fast for Exeter’s Santa Run

Hundreds of people are expected to take part in this year’s Exeter Santa Run on Sunday, 7 December, as the annual event returns to the city centre.

Organised by Exeter City Community Trust (ECCT), the partner charity of Exeter City Football Club, the run offers 2.5k and 5k routes and is open to runners, walkers and families. The event will begin on the High Street at 9am.

Organisers say places for the run are filling up quickly, with registration numbers already ahead of previous years. 

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Jamie Vittles, chief executive of ECCT, said: “The Santa Run is one of our favourite events of the year - a fun, family-friendly event that captures the spirit of our city.” 

Adding to this, he said: “Seeing a sea of Santas weaving through Exeter never fails to raise a smile, and every step supports programmes that make a real difference to local people.”

Proceeds from the run will support ECCT’s health, wellbeing and education projects, though entrants can also choose to raise money for other causes.

Among those taking part is five-year-old Maddie from Exeter, who will be running to raise money for Crohn’s & Colitis UK after her family’s experience with the condition. 

Maddie has already raised more than £215 through early sponsorship.

Her mum, Ellis Russell, told Exeter Today: “We’re incredibly proud of her. She loves running and wanted to do something to help others, the Santa Run felt like the perfect place to start.”

The run is supported by a number of local partners including Tozers, Eagle One, Thrifty/Switch, Robson Financial, ILEC Group, Stagecoach, Exeter City Council and Princesshay.

Places are still available, and organisers say the event typically attracts a wide range of participants, from first-time runners to families taking part together.