ORGANISERS of the St Helens Santa Dash and the St Helens 10K will be signing up runners at the town centre Christmas lights switch-on.

They will have a marquee in Victoria Square this Saturday where people can put their names down for the runs.

The Santa Dash takes place on Saturday, December 1. So far almost 100 people have signed up for the 3km event, and organisers Willowbrook Hospice and the Steve Prescott Foundation hope to surpass the 200-mark.

Meanwhile runners have started signing up for the GPW Recruitment St Helens 10k, in conjunction with Hattons Gold, after the Star revealed next year’s date has been scheduled for Sunday, March 10.

The SPF, which since 2007 has pulled in £400,000 for the Christie Hospital and rugby league’s Try Assist Fund, is confident of reaching the event’s capacity of 1,800 people.

Organisers say they have received fantastic support from local companies.

Martin Blondel, the SPF secretary, said: “Huge thanks to Tesco Extra, DW Sports Fitness, Timpson, Vinyline, Solar King, Engage Mutual, CMH Car Hire, ODs Menswear and Cafe Boc Boc. Without their support events would not happen.”

Anyone who signs up for the 10k before December 1 will receive free entry into a prize draw for what is billed as the ‘Ultimate St Helens Night Out’.

The prize is for two people, and includes two Cineworld Tickets with a combo sharer, a meal for two and a bottle of wine from Pacifica Cantonese Restaurant and VIP entry for two to the Imperial Bar and Dancefloor.

Visit sthelenssantadash.

co.uk and sthelens10k.co.uk.