Lanzarote Santa 5k, 4th December 2025

Another exotic race report from Lynne Cornell:

“I had already entered the Lanzarote 10k Race and was delighted to discover there was a Santa 5k fun run 2 days before the main event. I put my entry in for the Santa race and my acknowledgement said that as I was one of the 1st 200 entries, I would get a free Santa suit. 

I duly collected my my race numbers and said suit on Wednesday. After a few adjustments, as apparently one size fits all, I set off from our accommodation which was conveniently planned (by me!) 5 minutes walk from the event village to watch the junior (none Santa) events. I was slightly concerned when I got there to discover only one other Santa – a lovely lady called Patsy from Ireland. There were 3 children’s races and by the time the last one finished there were Santa’s everywhere. Most people had the full suit on. The Santa run starts at 6, and at 5:45 all Santa’s were invited to join the Zumba warm up – as if we weren’t warm enough already in 22 degrees! Also reminded this is a fun run, not chip timed, and to enjoy it. 

At 6 we were off – 600 Santas running along the sea front. The breeze (winds of 24mph) hadn’t let up and the course was soon littered with beards, hats, belts! A lovely out and back course along the sea front with plenty of support and fantastic marshals. Pleased to report the Santa debris had been cleared on the way back. My face was redder than my suit when I finished and the bottle of water most welcome. Whilst I’ve run as Santa before it’s been at The Run, Eat, Sleep event in South Shields, so a slightly different climate and normally glad of the suit to keep warm.

I really enjoyed this event. Definitely a favourite.”