Santa's run - ho ho ho

Get moving this weekend up on Mt Buller and Mt Stirling with the Santa’s Run on Sunday.

Formerly known as the Mt Buller Sky Run this popular trail running event has moved to December, and organiser Paul Ashton explains the festive name change, “When we moved the event to December we embraced the festive season and have invited runners to include some reindeer antlers or a little tinsel to add some cheer to the event. I’ve got my, lightweight, Santa suit ready to go and this beautiful run is a great way to get the body moving and enjoy some exercise before the many Christmas parties and indulgence that comes with this time of year.”

Rumour has it that Santa will be running the trail with a little bag of goodies to get people into the festive spirit.

Interestingly the growth of registrations for this year’s run is for the longer distances of 36kms and 45kms which take runners over to Stirling and as far as the iconic Craig’s Hut. “We’re welcoming plenty of new runners to the event this year and have a family coming all the way from Mildura for the 45km which will be a bit of a change of scene and altitude for them!” explained Ashton.

You don’t have to be a super-fit trail runner to participate. Families and kids will make up much of the starting line for the 5km loop on Mt Buller. “The 5km is a beautiful trail and the views are superb. You can walk and run and don’t have to be in training to have a great time doing this distance” says Ashton. “There’s a real energy and buzz in the Mt Buller village at the beginning and end of the event and runners of all distances enjoy the day, lunch in the village and cheering on finishers as they cross the line.”

Mt Buller Mt Stirling resort management’s Mark Bennetts adds, “The Santa Run is something we hope more locals will include as part of their Christmas plans, getting together with friends and family on the trails up here in the mountains and enjoying the fresh air and superb views. The village at Mt Buller is firmly in ‘summer mode’ with the pub, bike café and mountain bike stores all open for business. The bike shuttles are running, the pump track is rolling and it’s a great local’s day out.”

There’s still time to register for Santa’s Run up until the start on Sunday and accommodation is available in the Mt Buller village putting participants right on the starting line.