The Calne Santa Scamper is an annual 4km fun run, open to all the family, that starts at the Wiltshire market town’s community campus and follows a route into and around the central shopping area. It typically sells out and this year had added some extra capacity, offering places to around 400 participants. For the entrance fee of £12 a Santa suit (including beard!) is provided and all finishers get a quality medal and tasty mince pie. The event raises money for local charities, most notably the Wiltshire Air Ambulance but also some offering support to children and the elderly.
I took part with daughter who drove to Calne early to ensure she got a space in the campus car park. Although this filled up it was clear many had walked or parked elsewhere, as requested – nearby streets were not overcrowded. I was dropped off by husband, after our parkrun, and he was able to drive to the meeting point without issue.
Toilet facilities were available within the sports centre and queues were minimal. Lockers here may also be used (£1 returnable) although with a car nearby we did not need to.
The event was scheduled to start at 11am. Most participants arrived earlier. To keep us all entertained a small choir was adding to the festive atmosphere with their delightful renditions of Christmas songs. As well as the Chief Elf (run director) there were small elves handing out sweets to any who wanted them. A coffee van was selling refreshments. The Wiltshire Air Ambulance mascot was in attendance and happy to pose for photographs. A bubble machine by the starting arch created ‘snow’ on what was a lovely sunny morning.
As the start time approached all Santas were invited to gather by the inflatable arch. Chief Elf reminded us this was a fun run – an untimed event along a route that crossed several roads – and to respect traffic and pedestrians, particularly in the town centre. The Town Crier, who was also in attendance in full regalia, then got us started – in two tranches – by ringing his bell.
With so many taking part the first kilometre was slow, especially when the route followed pavements alongside the busy A4 road. Signs had been placed along the way: ‘Caution Santas Running‘. Many motorists waved and seemed generally pleased by the spectacle. At a zebra crossing to be traversed marshals stood by signs requesting: ‘Santas please stop here‘. They ensured waits were not too long for either run participants or motorists.
The route took a right turn through the town’s historic quarter, the quieter roads here allowing for some overtaking and therefore running rather than walking. Just before the shops were reached some faster participants started to appear on their return leg. I did wonder how they would cope on the narrow pavements as there were still plenty of Santas slower than us.
The shopping streets were busy but again, most people seemed entertained rather than irritated by the stream of red clad invaders. By the time we passed the library the pack had spread out sufficiently to allow running most of the way back to the campus. Residents along the way had come out of their houses to cheer us on. It really was a lovely atmosphere.
After another pause at the zebra crossing it only remained to run along the pavement to a lane and then back around the car park to the finish. Medals were handed out and mince pies could be collected. Plenty of Santas were milling around to cheer on those still to finish.
An utterly bonkers run that lived up to its description of fun in spades. The sunny weather certainly helped but it was the festive atmosphere and friendly attitudes of all marshals and participants that made this scamper so worth entering.
