Elderly support charity Alone will host its first annual Christmas Cracker run on Sunday 27 December at 12 noon.

The 5km road race through Santry is organised in partnership with the Clonliffe Harriers Athletics Club and supported by the European Recycling Platform, and kicks off at 12 noon on the day – the perfect excuse to burn off those extra Christmas and St Stephen’s Day pounds.

And all are welcome to take part in the family friendly run, from serious runners to costume wearing walkers, following a route through Northwood and Santry Avenue that begins and ends at Morton Stadium.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Clonliffe Harriers for the first Alone Christmas Cracker run,” said Alone chief excecutive Sean Moynihan at the event launch. “We hope that lots of people will join us for a fun morning out to shake off the post-Christmas slump and support older people in need. We’ll have spot prizes, refreshments and a few surprises to help get you moving.”

The run also has the support of four-time cross-country world medallist and event ambassador Catherina McKiernan, who said it is “a great opportunity to get out with your family, enjoy some fresh air and help a good cause at the same time.

“We all like to do that extra bit for charity around Christmas time and I think this is a lovely way to support the older people that Alone work with. I can see this becoming an annual tradition for many families.”

Registration is now open through www.alone.ie costing €20, with €5 from every registration going directly to Alone to support their work with older people in need. 

Everyone who registers will receive a goody bag, and the first 500 to attend on the day will receive a special Christmas Cracker T-shirt.