He’s making a list... Santa Run is coming to town

Pictured at the launch of the Kilkenny Santa Run 2013 to raise funds for the Kilkenny Skatepark project were organiser Roisin Hickey with Robyn (8) and Harry Nolan (6). This years Kilkenny Santa run will hold two distances. A 5km fun run & 10km timing chipped run. The event will be on Saturday the 14th of December at the Kilkenny Castle Park with a 10am start for the 10km and 10.30am for the 5km. Please bring your own Santa suit as none will be provided. Photo: Pat Moore.
If last Saturday’s Nun Run wasn’t enough running around in costume, get set for this weekend’s ‘Santa Run’, which is also for a good cause.

If last Saturday’s Nun Run wasn’t enough running around in costume, get set for this weekend’s ‘Santa Run’, which is also for a good cause.

Several hundred Santas, Mrs Claus, elves and reindeer are coming to town for the 2013 Kilkenny Santa Run, which takes place this Saturday, December 14. The family friendly event has been a well loved and much anticipated start to the festive season in Kilkenny, with over 400 taking part last year.

This will be the fourth Kilkenny Santa run and it’s looking like this is going to be the biggest one to date. Santa, Mrs Claus and all their helpers can register online on runireland.com or from 7.30am to 7.30pm in the Scouts Den on December 13, or from 8.30 on the morning of the run itself at the River Court Hotel.

Some Santa suits and hats will be available for purchase on the morning of the run, but please come prepared to avoid disappointment.

Along with a 5km fun run, there is also a 10km timed race to cater for those who want to squeeze in a personal best time before the year ends. The run starts from the Canal Square and ends on the Parade where there will be free goodies given out, and the finishers can enjoy a professional massage.

All the proceeds from the Santa Run go to charity each year. The money raised from this year’s run is going towards the Kilkenny Skate park Campaign. Spokesperson from the Skate park campaign in Kilkenny, Mick Greene said it would make a significant difference to the campaign and further increase the chances of an indoor skate park opening in 2014.

“There is a real buzz building about the run and we are confident we will exceed last years number of 400 Santas,” he said.

“This is a great family event to kick off the festive season in style while supporting a local youth sporting organisation”

The event will be on Saturday, December 14, with a 10am start for the 10km and 10.30am start for the 5km. To enter just log onto http://www.runireland.com/active/all-events and look up Kilkenny Santa Run 5km & 10km on the 14/12/2013. All participants in the run need to be dressed as Santa, Mrs Claus or in a suitable festive theme. A limited number of costumes will be available for sale on the day or they can be purchased in advance from James Choice store on James Street.