The Las Vegas Great Santa Run

It’s a record-​setting number of Santas running through downtown Las Vegas to support a local charity, what’s not to love?! It’s pretty unorganized for an event in it’s 11^th year and if you go planning to actually run (as opposed to walking), you might be frustrated…
So get up early, go for a real run at the gym, then come down to the Santa run to suit up, chill out, have fun, and try to set a world record. Come early, because there’s limited parking and plenty of street closures, and you’ll need to exchange your Santa suit at the last minute because they gave you one that’s about three sizes too big and the pants keep falling off.
Atmosphere is festive, music is loud, and there are plenty of musical entertainers and celebrity guests. Fuel up with free coffee, warm up with some zumba, and get yourself across that finish line– after that, free breakfast items aplenty and all of Fremont Street is yours to explore!

Glad the race came back to Downtown Las Vegas!
It was hella cold, but we were on a mission to keep this record!
Circle K and Jamba Juice gave out free coffee and smoothies…
Thank goodness Terry Fator wasn’t the Grand Marshall!
Shania still got it goin’ on…;)
5K wasn’t as bad as I thought… Thanks Kayla and Shane! It was a blast!
If you participate next year, scope out Caesar’s Palace, They had a bomb breakfast spread…:9
So did we keep the record…11,201 Santas… Yes we did! Take that Liverpool…:p
ALOHA!!!

This was my first year participating in the Santa Run and I have to say I had a blast. My girlfriend, her 7 year old nephew, and I mostly walked the 5k. The 5k wound is all
around downtown past the new container park and the federal courthouse. The course was well marked with event workers standing at the intersections and corners. There were 2 water station one about half way and one at the end, which was nice.
The parking map on the website was useless because you weren’t able to zoom in to read the street names. That my only real complaint about the whole event. We were able to find parking in the Binions/​California lot.
I had a great time and you will too if you decide to go next year.

9^th annual Santa Run!
11,200 participants (record setting !!! go VEGAS!) and Shania Twain ?! There was no question that this was an awesome event.
I’m so glad that I was able to make it out and witness this event. I had signed up years ago back in high school with my key club and wasn’t able to make it.
It was FREEZING cold !!! My fingers were so cold that my phone wasn’t reading the taps from my fingers !!
But regardless of how unbearable the weather may have been, I feel that it only added to how amazing it is that we were able to set the world record. Everyone also looked a lot jolly-​er and «st. nick» like than they would have without all the layers of clothing. The holiday spirits were felt and a good event was put together. BRAVO!

Over 1,100 Santa’s all running in the same direction? Sounds like a great idea or a bad dream…
Last year was the first year I participated in the Great Santa Run. Being that Las Vegas continues to hold the world record, I am proud to have been a part of it. I love that the proceeds go to a good cause, so many of the 5k races out there cost $ 40 – 60 and I never really know why. This one was only $ 35, came with your Santa suit and benefited Opportunity Village — it’s always great to give back to the community!
The race was very well organized. We picked up our Santa costumes a couple of days prior, but those who waited until the day of had almost no wait, gotta love that! I had ordered a size small Santa suit, yet when I picked mine up they recommended a medium — said the legs wouldn’t be long enough otherwise. I really appreciated the tip, as well as the fact that they didn’t make me stick to the size I ordered.
There were tons of vendors and food trucks around — whole foods was giving out free fruit and protein bars, Circle K gave out coupons for free coffee, and there was even a booth serving free shots of whiskey — great way to rev up for a 5k huh? Live music and entertainment kept the crowd going before and after the run.
For as many people as there were at this event it seemed to run smoothly. They had a 5k run and a 1 mile walk. Some people were serious about running and others took their time. It was fun to see so many Santas and so many people out having a good time. I loved that they allowed you to bring dogs too — so many cute dogs in costumes!
I know I’ll do this event again this year and I hope Las Vegas can hang on to the world record!

This was my first 5k. It was fun to see the thousands of Santa’s there and to be a part of the Guinness Book of World Records. It would have been nice to separate those that are running the 5K and those walking the 5K. I know it wasn’t timed but with the thousands of people it would have been nice. Also, I was shocked at how quickly the booths were taken down after the race was over. Especially the food carts.

Consistently one of the best, the oddest, and most fun events in Vegas. There’s nothing like running along surrounded by thousands of Santas and all for a good cause.
Serious runners may not love the event — there’s no staggered start (runners are not grouped into waves) and there are plenty of walkers mixed in among the sprinters. So, the serious runners are not going to set a Personal Record on this course. But who cares? You’re dressed as Santa, you’re surrounded by Santas (I mean the road is filled with people in red and white suits), and your registration fee is going to one of the best charities in Vegas.
I’m a big fan after running for 3 yrs in a row. It’s some easy cardio, some good spirit, and a well-​run event. Worth a try for anyone, no matter what shape you’re in.

Great time, great event. It’s a great effort to get some money to a great cause. Everyone has a wonderful time and it’s a really great way to get into the Christmas Spirit. Plus, you get tickets to The Magical Forest by participating. Certainly worth taking the time to participate.

Another year NOT held in the downtown area. It wasn’t as cold this year (2012) and the prices haven’t jumped a ridiculous amount like other charity races. For those who have never gone to a LV Santa Run don’t hesitate. There are group/​team runners, as well as individual runners, and walkers.
You also don’t have to worry about buying your own Santa Suit, when you register it is included with your race packet. Packets are also available for pick up the day of the race but show up early if you do slacker. Great benefit, fun race, and well organized.

Great event to support. Will do it again next year.

If I Unilocaled more in Las Vegas I’d double my review count in no time since a lot of things here have double entries! Déjà vu …
How cool is it to be part of a world record? By my best guestimate I’d say it was probably 28 degrees counting the wind chill. I quite possibly would have frozen my behind off had I worn actual running attire to this event.
I had not even planned on running in this race less than 90 minutes after my plane landed at LAS. I called my friends who had all arrived several days before me to see if I could get a ride back to the hotel when they told me they were all headed to this race, and they had forged my signature and had actually signed me up to run with them. OMG!
Looking back on it this race was incredibly well organized compared to the Rock n Roll race that I’m still very bitter about. Everybody got a complete 4 piece Santa suit to run in and those lucky enough to finish early which I believe included everyone in our group got a free long sleeve t-​shirt at the end stating «Have you seen my Santa suit?» Best of yet we got the world record according to the Guinness folks on hand for the largest assembly of full-​suited running Santa Clauses with 8123 beating out the old world record held by a Santa race in Liverpool, UK with 7326!
When I agreed to take part in this running weekend with my friends I was really bummed that I couldn’t be with them for the entire stay as I was literally in town for just 48 hours. My friends talked about planning to go to one show a night, and I really wanted to do that too, but my work wouldn’t let that happen. This race was so incredible that we got to see free performances by Recycled Percussion, Jabbawockeez and the Chippendales on stage before the race. Lorena Peril, who headlines the topless Fantasy show that one of my dear Unilocal friends drools over sang the National Anthem, and my my that lady has a pair of lungs.
Tons of refreshments, fresh made guacamole and salsa served over crunchy chips, skydivers dressed as Santa, free 7 – 11 Slurpees on the course even!
If I ever return to Las Vegas to run a race it will be this one! Thanks guys for signing me up!

This was my second year participating in this event, but I don’t remember it being soooo cold! Even so we had a great time met up with other Unilocalers and attempted to warm up with some zumba action which was part the entertainment and kept warming up when some Chippendales showed up among other entertainers like the Jabbawockeez, Fox 5, Fantasy girls, Terry Fator, Mayor Goodman, recycled percussion, Zowie Bowie and many more. Overall great benefit event and I really hope we broke the record for the most Santas joined in one place currently held by Liverpool in the Guinness Book of World Records, but most important is the money that was raised for Opportunity Village.
The race started with with the National Anthem and then parachuting Santas landing in the area which was truly amazing! First the 5k runners took off and then about 30 minutes after the 1milers took off. Along the way we encountered the curious looks of the Town Square shoppers and then we were greeted with refreshing slurpees being handed out, and although I could not feel parts of me that slurpee hit the spot. Cant wait for next year!!!

Thanks for adding this for review purposes, Holly.
This was my 3^rd year in a row doing the Santa Run. And my cardio just keeps getting worse and worse. But I do it to support Opportunity Village. I hate running and I only do 5Ks for two reasons – the other is to save the tatas.
This event has definitely grown a lot in even just the three years I’ve experienced it. I think that’s only a good thing. I mean, it’s a fun run. It’s a community event. I must say that the feeling of community at this year’s event was even better than the previous two.
They even put on a hell of a pre-​race entertainment show this year. Everything from Jabbawockeez to Zowie Bowie to Recycled Percussion – they totally rocked the parking lot. Monica Jackson, Jason Feinberg, and Melanie from 106.5 were excellent emcees. The parachuting Santas were a nice touch too (except one had trouble battling the wind and landing with the other three).
I’m definitely doing this again next year.

As you probably already can guess, this event is a cluster and it is pretty uncomfortable running in a full santa suit. (The beard kept hitting me in the face and blinding me!) Nevertheless, it was a lot of fun. Here are my tips from my first year doing this:
1. Show up early. There’s lots going on two hours before the race starts, you can stake out a good parking space, and you can take photos. Then go back to the car and put your crap away. Easy!
2. Speaking of parking, if you have a high clearance vehicle and/​or offroad vehicle consider parking in the gravel lot behind Fry’s that fronts LV Blvd. It was difficult getting out after the race and if you park there, and can get out, you can bail pretty easily. But only offroad/​high clearance vehicles! I saw a few Camrys that got stuck. :(
3. Safety first! Especially if you are doing the half or full marathon the next day. There are tons of kids, dogs (some not so well behaved), strollers, and other weird things. People are excitable. Some people forgot they were running with a dog on a leash and clotheslined people. The streets at Town Square are narrow. So, if in doubt, slow down and employ defensive running/​walking. I saw some nasty spills that could have been avoided. You don’t want to be injured for the big race the next day for some 5K that isn’t even timed.
This isn’t a five star event mostly for the traffic direction. They need to suck it up and hire Metro. Town Square security did the traffic direction and they sucked at it. The guys directing traffic for me (near the entrance to Frys) actually got into a fight with each other! Come on guys!
But still I had a ton of fun, came out unscathed, and I finally got my I Love Unilocal t-​shirt to boot! Who doesn’t love that?

Holly’s review is right on! This was my second year doing this event. Last year, I did the bicycle ride. That was such a cluster, it wasn’t offered this year.
I don’t run, but I walk the 5K. I always have my beard with me so that’s never a problem. I also park in the north lot and make a quick exit on Sunset.
I really dislike the growth in the numbers of dogs that are here every year. At least they had the good sense to crap at home before they came here, because I saw no doggy do anywhere.
It’s fun doing the walk because the entertainment beforehand – Jabbawockeez from the Monte Carlo, some dancers from the topless show Fantasy at the Luxor, and five flying Santas that parachuted to the parking lot from a helicopter high above the boulevard, and others – make this a fun event. Also, the chance to walk over the freeway on Sunset, something you don’t do everyday is worth the walking.
It’s also the main fundraiser for Opportunity Village, a very needy charity in Southern nevada. I’ll be back next year for another go, suit and all!