Watford Mencap's Santa Dash is Sunday 6 December at 10am in Cassiobury Park: a 5k at £12.50 and a 1k at £8.50, early bird prices rising on 1 November.

Watford Mencap’s Santa Dash is on Sunday 6 December 2026 in Cassiobury Park. There is a 5k and a 1k fun run, both listed for 10am, and entries are open now at £12.50 and £8.50. Those are early bird prices, and the entry page says they rise on 1 November.

The quick answer

  • Sunday 6 December 2026, 10am, Cassiobury Park, Watford WD18 7LG.
  • Two distances: a 5k at £12.50 and a 1k fun run at £8.50.
  • Early bird prices rise on Sunday 1 November. The new prices are not shown yet.
  • Who it is for: Watford Mencap says it welcomes “participants of all abilities”.
  • Where the money goes: all proceeds go to Watford Mencap’s work with people with learning disabilities in the area.

Is it on this year?

Yes. The race is open for entries on Eventrac, the entry system Watford Mencap uses, and the same listing appears on the ATW Events calendar. Both pages, read on 7 October, give the next race as 6 December 2026 in Cassiobury Park. Entries have been on sale since 27 April.

Watford Mencap calls it “the return of its much-anticipated annual Santa Dash”.

Entry prices and distances

Race Start Price now Note
Santa Dash 5k 10am £12.50 Early bird, rises 1 November
Santa Dash 1k 10am £8.50 Early bird, rises 1 November

Both races are listed with a 10am start. The entry page does not say whether the 1k and the 5k set off together or one after the other, so check the race instructions that come with your entry.

The entry page does not say whether a Santa suit comes with the entry, what age limits apply to the 1k, or whether there is a finisher’s medal. We will add those details when the organiser publishes them. Questions about the run go to Watford Mencap at fundraising@watfordmencap.org.uk.

You can also give without running through Watford Mencap’s JustGiving page.

Where it starts

The organiser’s directions: use the pedestrian entrance at the junction of Cassiobury Park Avenue and Shepherd’s Road, turn right at the water fountain, and walk a short way down the path past the bowling club.

Parking and getting there

Watford Mencap asks drivers to use the public car park in Rosslyn Road, Watford WD18 0JX, and to allow 15 minutes to walk to the park. It warns that parking restrictions will apply on the roads around Cassiobury Park and that traffic wardens will be checking them. Our page on parking in Watford has the town centre car parks and their Sunday tariffs.

Watford Underground station, on the Metropolitan line, is next to the park. The run is on a Sunday morning, so check engineering works first on our roadworks and travel page.

More in Watford this Christmas

This page will be updated when the race instructions and the post-1 November prices are published.

Sources