This year's Isle of Man Bank Charity Santa Dash around the streets of Douglas will be held on Wednesday December 18th but this year will see an important change to the route.
Event organiser, Isle of Man Bank's Head of Community Investment John Lindon, explained: 'The ongoing works by the Department of Infrastructure on Loch Promenade have meant we have had to amend the Victoria Street section of the course. The change has been approved by the Police.
'Instead of going all the way down Victoria Street, as in previous years, the competitors will turn left and enter the lane at the rear of the Royal Bank of Scotland building and then onto the promenade via Villiers Square. After that everything will be as normal - along the promenade and up Church Road to Finch Road, finishing at the entrance to the South Douglas Old Friends Association.'
As the diversion will make the course slightly shorter it has been decided that even if the fastest-ever times are broken they will not count as new records. The men's best of 4 minutes 20 seconds was set by Kevin Loundes in 2011 while Rachael Franklin's time of 5 minutes 5 seconds last year is the quickest to date by a lady Santa.
Entry forms can be obtained from any branch of Isle of Man Bank or by downloading from the Bank's website. They must be returned to John Lindon at Howard Pearson House in Victoria Road by 17th December. Competitors should be aged 18 or over and running on behalf of a Manx-registered charity.
Isle of Man Bank will be putting up ?2,900 worth of prizes. Cheques for ?300, ?200 and ?100 go to the first three finishers with ?100 awarded to the first lady Santa. There will also be rewards of ?100 each for the best dressed Santas and, in addition, 20 spot prizes of ?100 each for pre-determined - but secret - finishing positions.
The Dash starts from the Bank's premises in Athol Street at 12.30 pm but competitors must sign-in at the South Douglas Old Friends Association from 12 noon. That is where each competitor will receive a goody bag at the warm-down reception and where the results will be announced.
Participants can raise individual sponsorship for their chosen charities but on-course collections are not permitted.
For more information or to download a registration form, visit www.iombank.com or head to Isle of Man Bank’s Facebook page.
