FAQ's

I’ve entered, what’s happens next?

Now you have entered, the next stage is training for the event and starting your fundraising.  The sooner you start training, the easier the 5k Santa Dash will be. 

When do I receive my Santa suit?

This will be sent to you by post a couple of weeks before the run itself, along with an information booklet with the final race details.

Am I fit enough to run a 5k?

If you are worried about taking part in the Santa Dash or you have not undertaken exercise for a while, then we recommend you visit your local GP for an appraisal.  Otherwise most people can get themselves for the 5k by starting to train now.

Where can I get training tips?

Please visit http://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/blog for information about training for the 5k.

Do I need to run it or can I walk?

You can either walk or run.  There’s no rush to get around the course.

What’s the minimum age?

13 years old and above.  We will have a separate short distance run for children aged 8 to 12 years old.

Have you got some fundraising tips?

Set up a page on Just Giving page in support of the RNID.  Ask all your friends and family to support you.

I am a wheelchair user, can I enter?

Yes, wheelchair users are welcome to enter and we recommend that you consider bringing along a helper to assist you.  We’ll allocate you a start at the rear of the field.  Please note, this is not a race for “sports wheelchair competitors” as the Santa Dash is essentially a fun run.

What is chip timing?
You are given your very own computer chip which records your time from the point you cross the start line to returning to the finish, therefore you will have a separate time to what is displayed on the trackside clock.  We do this as it can take several minutes for the whole field to cross the start line, so you don’t have to worry about when you cross this line with respect to your time.  The full details regarding the chip will be sent with the final event information booklet.

Where can I get good running shoes?
At most sports store, but if you want some good advice, then we recommend visiting Sweatshop, who are specialists in helping runners select the correct pair of shoes for them.

Where can I park my car?
There is plenty of parking available at Sportcity.  Final details will be supplied nearer the time, but you should aim to arrive between 8am and 8.30am, as the local roads will be closed and you will not be able to gain access.

Can my friends and family come to watch?
Yes, spectators are welcome and there is ample room in the Regional Athletics Stadium at the finish.

Showers and Changing
We recommend that you arrive in your Santa suit, as the changing facilities are limited at the Stadium.

Toilets
Numerous toilets can be found at the rear of the Regional Athletics Track.

Fundraising Tips & Advice

The A-Z of fundraising
Art exhibition
Auction of promises/slaves
Advertising booklet
Battle of the bands
Baked-bean bath
Barn dance
Balloon race
Beat the goalie
Coach trips
Comedy night
Dance-athon
Duck race
Elvis night
Eyebrow shaving
Fashion show
Film festival/evening
Football tournament
Games night/sports day
Go-kart grand prix
Guess the …!
Gunge tank
Head shave
Hunger buster barbecue/picnic/Xmas party
Ice-cream eating
Ice-skate racing
Inflatable objects (e.g.bouncy castle)
Jail break
Justgiving.com
Karaoke
Limbo competition
Lottery
Marathons
Music concert
Non-uniform day
Orienteering/treasure hunts
Parachute jump
PlayStation “play-off”
Private tuition
Quiz night
Roll a coin
Safari night/dinner
Scavenger hunt
Sports day
Strawberries and cream
Swear box
Table football
Tombola
Uniform-tastic (firemen, police or
school dressing up)
Variety show
Waxing
Wheel-walking
Wine/food tasting
XXX – Full Monty shows!
Yodeling competition
Zebra/horseracing!
 
How to organise a fundraising event

Here are a few important things to consider:

Get thinking
Discuss fundraising ideas with your friends and colleagues. The more creative and original you can be,
the better! Think about things you enjoy doing. The more enthusiastic you are, the more likely it is to be
a success. Further information can also be found on the Institute of Fundraising’s helpful and
comprehensive website at www.how2fundraise.org.

Feasibility
Once you have your list of ideas, you can decide which are the most practical. Keep in mind that your
ideas should be designed to raise the maximum amount of money. The great thing about fundraising is
that you don’t have to rely on just one idea. The more fundraising ideas you can think of, the better.
So get out there, experiment and most importantly, have fun!

Planning
Plan your event as far in advance as you can – you’ll generate more interest and raise more money.
And remember to check the date you’ve chosen doesn’t clash with other events.

Budget
Set a target – think in advance how much you hope to raise. Will you need budget for anything?
Be careful not to spend more money than you raise!

Volunteers
Get as many colleagues as you can to help organise your event, for example with publicity, selling
tickets or handling money.

Publicity
Use posters, leaflets and email to advertise your event to colleagues, friends and family.

After the event
Remember to thank everyone who helped or took part and email any pictures to us at co-operative@rnid.org.uk so we can put them on
our fundraising pages.