More than a century ago, runners took part in Go As You Please races between Gorey and Courtown. This December, the town will return to those roots with a brand new event built for a rather different era.
The first Gorey 5K Santa Dash takes place on Sunday December 6th, starting and finishing at Gorey Civic Centre. It will be the first major race organised by Gorey Athletics Club since the club was re established, with runners, joggers and walkers all invited to take part.
Entries remain open and festive dress is encouraged, although the professionally timed race and cash prizes mean there will still be plenty of serious running beneath the Santa hats.
A Brand New Race With Old Roots
The idea behind the event reaches much further back than the current club. Gorey has a local history of organised running stretching back more than 100 years, when Go As You Please races took participants between the town and Courtown.
The new Santa Dash is not a recreation of those races, but it carries the tradition forward with a 5K through Gorey town. The route will start and finish at Gorey Civic Centre, with final course details and arrival information due to be confirmed before race day.
The start is scheduled for 9am, leaving enough time to run, collect a medal and still have most of the Sunday ahead. That may matter in December, when diaries tend to fill up faster than the final kilometre of a 5K.
The Rebooted Gorey AC Takes a Major Step Forward
Gorey AC was originally founded in 1958 and re established in 2025. In little more than a year, it has grown to more than 330 members and describes itself as the largest Athletics Ireland affiliated club in North Wexford.
The Santa Dash will be its first major event since that return. It gives the growing club a chance to put on a race of its own while bringing runners, families, local businesses and volunteers into the centre of the town.
That community focus is important, but this is not simply a casual fun run. The event has an approved Athletics Ireland permit and professional chip timing will be provided by PopUp Races.
Cash prizes are planned for the first three male and female finishers, while fancy dress prizes will provide a second chance for anybody whose running is slower than their costume design.
A Timed 5K Without Taking Christmas Too Seriously
The race is open to runners, joggers and walkers. Christmas jumpers, Santa hats and festive costumes are encouraged, with music and support adding to the morning around Gorey.
Wheelchair users are welcome, as are participants with buggies or dogs. Those starting with a buggy or dog will line up behind the main field. Children under 13 can take part but must remain within arm's length of their responsible adult throughout the 5K.
The combination gives the event broad appeal. Faster runners have chip timing and cash prizes to chase, while families and walkers can take part without feeling that they have wandered into the wrong race.
Entry Options And What Is Included
Adult entry costs €25. Entry for those aged 13 to 17 is €17, while places for children under 13 cost €12.50.
Every person taking part in Gorey will receive a specially designed event medal while stocks last, with 500 medals available. Custom event T shirts and Santa hats can also be added during registration.
Virtual entry is available for anyone unable to travel to Gorey. Adult virtual entry costs €20 and the under 18 option is €15. Virtual entrants with a postal address in Ireland will receive a medal, but will not receive a race number or timing chip.
Online registration is scheduled to remain open until 9pm on Saturday December 5th. The race begins the following morning at 9am, so booking ahead is considerably more sensible than trying to organise it over breakfast.
Entries Are Still Open
The official entry page is currently accepting registrations across the adult, juvenile, under 13 and virtual categories.
For runners looking for a December event with more substance than another generic festive 5K, Gorey has a strong story behind it. It marks the return of a local club, draws on a running tradition more than a century old and offers a proper timed race in the middle of the town.
There will be quick racing at the front, families and walkers further back and, almost certainly, at least one person discovering that a full Santa suit becomes warm very quickly over five kilometres.
Race Essentials
- Event: Gorey 5K Santa Dash
- Date: Sunday December 6th, 2026
- Start Time: 9am
- Start And Finish: Gorey Civic Centre, County Wexford
- Distance: 5K
- Adult Entry: €25
- Ages 13 To 17: €17
- Under 13 Entry: €12.50
- Virtual Entry: €20 for adults and €15 for under 18s
- Entry Includes: Professional timing and a custom medal for participants in Gorey
- Online Entry Closes: 9pm on Saturday December 5th
- Registration: Enter The Gorey 5K Santa Dash
