Santa Claus Run: A Festive and Charitable 7K Race Through Old Quebec

2023-12-17 20:20:41

The start sounded at 11 a.m. on Saturday in the Petit Champlain district. Hundreds of Santas in sneakers climbed the Casse-Cou staircase, crossed the German Christmas Market and walked along the Grande Allée to rue Cartier. The festive runners then continued on Saint-Jean Street to return to Old Quebec, for a seven-kilometer loop.

(The Sun, Juliette Nadeau-Besse)

If Quebec was surrounded by a flock of Santa Clauses, it is above all for a good cause, underlines organizer Dominic Guay. All donations, profits and race registrations go directly to the Little School Joys Foundation.

The foundation offers financial and moral support to disadvantaged children in the region to help them succeed. “We will probably reach $20,000 for the foundation,” hopes Dominic Guay. Last year, the activity generated a sum of $12,000.

The flock of Santas began their journey in the Petit Champlain district. (Juliette Nadeau-Besse/Le Soleil)

The little elves are there

New for the third edition: the 300 Santa Claus Race was preceded by the Elf Race, where the little ones were treated to their own course of approximately one kilometer through the streets of the Petit Champlain district.

For Dominic Guay, it was obvious to add a family component to his event. “The foundation helps children from disadvantaged families in the Quebec region. So, the connection with the children was impossible to miss.”

“The children had fun, there was a little treat from the Fudgerie on arrival. It was really great!”

— Dominic Guay, co-founder of the Santa Claus Run

The third edition also marks the addition of the Simons company as a presenting partner of the race. “We benefit from the company’s influence. Having a community that follows Simons in addition to our running clubs and the Foundation gives great visibility and notoriety.”

Quebec federal MP Jean-Yves Duclos was on site and participated in the 7-kilometer race. (Juliette Nadeau-Besse/Le Soleil)

The federal MP for Quebec, Jean-Yves Duclos took part in the race, as did Simons’ vice-president of human resources, Mike Ross.

Dominic Guay opened the procession, despite a running injury, since the activity is not a competition. “It’s a much slower outing than what we usually run, seasoned runners.”

More and more Santas

During the first edition, around 80 Santas responded to the call. Last year, more than 150 runners participated in the event. The Santa Claus Run is growing and has more partners. “We dreamed regarding it, we had it in mind,” says Dominic Guay in front of the crowd of participants, which has doubled since last year.

The co-founder daydreams regarding the world record for the largest Santa race, broken in Madrid in 2014 with more than 5,000 disguised participants. “Are we going to go there? The goal is to make the event grow, for the benefit of a very good cause,” summarizes the runner.

Hundreds of Santas ran down Cartier Street, to the surprised looks of passers-by. (Juliette Nadeau-Besse/Le Soleil)

The Santa Claus Race was born from a “crazy idea”, but quickly established its place in Quebec.

The activity was born in 2021. “We wanted to put a smile on people’s faces, it started from a very playful brain bubble,” says Mr. Guay.

The organizer of the race is also the founder of the Montcalm Running Club and president of the Little School Joys Foundation.

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