Top 5 Festive Fitness Events 2016

With the Christmas countdown in full swing, it can get harder to juggle those regular workouts in between festive feasting and mulled wine hangovers.

Fortunately you don’t need to play scrooge and deprive yourself of all the fun. There are plenty of fabulously festive ways to up the fitness tempo this Christmas. From novelty runs to get you in the spirit, to hardcore races that guarantee to blitz any turkey dinner, get your crew together for our top festive workouts of 2016.

Santa Run 2016 Image: 2:09 Events LTD

SANTA RUN

Not found your festive feet yet? Racing thousands of santas around your local stomping grounds should soon put paid to that.

There are hundreds of Santa Runs happening across the UK this December. Most follow a 5-10km route, making it a great excuse to get a group of friends or family together. More importantly, Santa suits and beards are usually included in the entry fee. Phew right.

Top tip: Bring your own personalised beard. We’re thinking tie dye?
When? Throughout December
Where? UK wide. Find your nearest santa run
How much? £5-£30

Lomax Christmas

LOMAX DOES CHRISTMAS

Chelsea’s favourite fitness studio takes on Christmas for the whole month of December, with pop-ups, goodies and workouts galore. Highlights include a ‘12 Days of Fitness Challenge’ with great prizes up for grabs, including treats from The Sports Edit.

In addition the fabulous Clean Eating Alice brings 2 exclusive HIIT classes to Lomax on 13 December, with healthy shakes and treats on offer to boost your pre-Christmas kick. Count us in!

Top tip: Round off your Lomax workout with a trip to The Sports Edit for some late night shopping and Lomax treats. Available every Thursday in December.
When? Various dates, December
Where? Lomax, Fulham Road
How much? PAYG per class

Christmas Day Swim Image: Symages Photography

CHRISTMAS DAY SWIM

Crazy? Maybe. But we promise you won’t regret it.

The great British coast offers a whole host of Christmas Day swims. In places like Bude, Cornwall, the Mike Moyle Christmas Swim has become an institution for its 800+ swimmers and couple thousand spectators. Its strict no-wetsuit rule makes the hot chocolates waiting at the shoreline all the more delicious.

In addition, sponsorship of entrants is encouraged with all donations going to Bude’s Surf Life Saving Club - the oldest SLSC in Britain. Now there’s an added incentive.

Top tip: a Christmas dip is the perfect antidote to the night before. Trust us, being slapped in the face by an ice cold wave will put paid to any Christmas morning cobwebs and stoke that metabolism ready for round two… bring on the feasting!
When? 11am, Christmas Day
Where? Bude (register at Zuma Jay)
How much? A charitable donation

Brutal 10 Hampshire Image: Sussex Sport Photography

BRUTAL 10, HAMPSHIRE

So the name isn’t too cryptic. If there was one event that will blitz your Christmas and Boxing Day indulgence whilst setting you up for a decadent New Year’s Eve, it’s the Brutal 10.

For those who want a challenge beyond pounding the pavements, prepare to take on sand dunes, hill climbs and water holes of Longmoor’s Army Training Camp. There are 8km or 16km options and also a route for kids, soget rounding the troops.

Top tip: Don’t wear your best trainers!
When? 10am, 31 December
Where? Longmoor, Hampshire
How much? £15-£24. Sign up here

Knacker Cracker race

TRIONIUM KNACKER CRACKER

January resolutions eh. Why wait until the second? Start as you mean to go on with this gruelling New Year’s Day challenge.

So what makes this ‘the toughest 10k in Britain’? One particular - hills. Four bloomin’ great hills in fact. With 475m of climbing and descent, this run could be the new year awakening your body needs. Just think how smug you’ll feel afterwards! 2017, we’ve got this.

Top tip: Not advised on a hangover!
When? 11am, 1 January 2017
Where? Mickleham, Dorking
How much? £36. Register now