As the festive season looms, Stirling Distillery is delighted to launch its second ever Santa Dash, now bigger and better than last year.

The race starts and finishes at the distillery on Lower Castlehill at 3pm on Sunday 6th December 2026, totally 2.5km. The route takes runners through some of Stirling's historic roads before bringing them back to the distillery door.

Entry is £10, with all profits going to Strathcarron Hospice. Every finisher can toast their run with a Stirling Winter Gin and ginger ale (soft drinks for under-18s and drivers) and takes home a medal that doubles as a Christmas bauble so it can go straight on the tree. The male and female race winners get to pick a bottle of gin from the distillery shop.

Festive costumes are encouraged. Anyone without one can buy a Santa or elf suit from the Strathcarron team at the distillery for £5.

Strathcarron Hospice is an independent hospice providing all its services free of charge, offering specialist palliative and end of life care to people across Forth Valley, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth. That care depends on the support of local people, and every entry to the Santa Dash helps.

The event is supported by Stirling Running and Lumo, and the race will kick off the celebrations of the distillery's new partnership with Lumo. Once the last Santa is home, the party moves inside the distillery, with food, drinks and live music to mark the collaboration.

Lumo began running direct services between London Euston and Stirling on 25 May this year, so Santas from further afield have a direct train to the start line.

The race is open to anyone aged 5 and over, and children aged 5 to 11 must run with an adult. Entries close on 5th December or when the field is full.