Event Information - On the Day
Photo: Stamford Mercury
Date and Start Time
The fun run starts at 11am prompt, but the entertainment is from 10am with festive music and a warm up session. Those intending to run will be invited to start first, followed by the joggers, the plodders, the walkers, the strollers, the amblers, the dog walkers (on a short lead please), the pushchairs, etc. Check-in will be open from 10am. We recommend you plan to be at the event start by 10:15am for the warm-up, entertainment and to enjoy the wonderful Christmas festive ambiance.
Getting to the venue
There will be a high turnout for the event, so if you live locally you might want to consider walking or cycling. If you intend visiting the town centre afterwards, you might want to consider using one of the free carparks in town, they are all in walking distance from the venue.
If arriving by car, free parking is available within Burghley. Enter Burghley Park through the Station Gates entrance at the junction of Barnack Road (B1443) and Station Road, Stamford (PE9 2NQ).
Parking marshals will direct you to a parking place in sequence to reduce congestion (please drive forward onto your allocated space rather than reversing).
The start point for the run is between the bottom of the cricket ground and Lady Diana's Memorial Ground. What3Words location is mint.gums.alien. The postcode is PE9 2NA. Click here for a site plan of the area.
Free carparks in town
| Name | Number of spaces |  |
Walking time to event |
| Wharf Road PE9 2EB | 224 | stress.sparks.deeper | 6 mins |
| St Leonard's Street PE9 2HX | 34 | edit.cares.ritual | 9 mins |
| Cattle Market PE9 2WB | 275 | olive.diary.fills | 12 mins |
| Bath Row PE9 2WE | 97 | cool.club.dices | 12 mins |
| North Street PE9 1EG | 107 | line.editor.appeal | 13 mins |
| Scotgate PE9 2YE | 65 | corner.intent.smiles | 16 mins |
Route and Footwear
The event will be entirely off-road and traffic-free along tarmac and gravel paths with a short section across some meadow grass. Whether you choose to run the 1 mileish “Elves Escape”, the 2 mileish “Reindeer Run”, or the 3 mileish “Santa Special” you will see marshals in several places to guide you. There’s no need to rush, just take your time and enjoy being with lots of other friendly “runners”, since we have plenty of mince pies and mulled wine for all finishers. We have done our best to provide a safe environment for all participants and spectators.
“Elves’ Escape” - 1 mile
“Reindeer Run” - 2 miles
“Santa Special” - 3 miles
Bearing in mind the event is taking place in December you are recommended to wear appropriate footwear – it has been known to rain and sometimes snow in December!
Toilets, First Aid and Lost Children Facilities
There will be toilet facilities in the event area including those with disabled access.
First aid will be provided by the St John Ambulance around the start/finish area and strategic points along the circuit. Route marshals and first aiders will be in radio and mobile phone contact with the safety officer based in the start/finish area so, if assistance is required, just stop and ask and it can be provided quickly.
Lost children should be taken to the main marquee – likewise adults having lost children should report in at the main marquee. The point of contact will be signposted.
Rubbish
The start/finish area and the route are rubbish-free and should remain rubbish-free during the event. Please respect the environment by using the rubbish bins provided. Thank you.
Entries On The Day
We will be taking entries on the day if there are any left, but you are encouraged to enter ahead of time if you'd like to participate. We sold out early last year!
Rules for Participants and Spectators
There are not too many rules – let’s not forget it is a fun day - just a few for the safety of all! Thank you for your co-operation and understanding.
- Competitors' cars are only to be parked in the designated area (this is to ensure access for emergency vehicles). In addition, only vehicles displaying a current disabled badge may be parked in the area allocated to disabled entrants.
- Competitors must obey the directions given by the Marshals (normally wearing yellow hi-viz jackets). Only those that have paid the entrance fee may participate – don’t forget it is a charity event.
- Any Santa suits that have not been collected within 15 minutes after the start of the event will be retained by the event organisers.
- Dogs must be kept on short leads and under proper control. (Dogs can be a menace to participants and the sheep that graze in the Burghley Park).
- Only emergency vehicles are allowed to drive on the Burghley Park roads when the run is in progress.
- All rubbish must be disposed of in the receptacles provided, or taken home (deer inhabit the Burghley Park and rubbish can kill them if it is ingested).
Visit to Stamford Town Centre
Following the fun run, why not visit Stamford town centre and enjoy one of the finest stone towns in the UK? There's a wide choice of eateries and independent retailers for you to enjoy after the event.