Participant Information Pack
All the information you need to know as a participant
on event day for Santa Fun Run 2024.
Here are the answers to some of our frequently asked questions.
For more info, please contact us!
The Event
Where is the Santa Fun Run?
Melbourne: The Tan Track, Royal Botanical Gardens Melbourne on Saturday 23rd of November 2024.
The Tan Track is around the Botanical Gardens in Melbourne, the Event Village is located at the Pillars of Wisdom (Kings Domain) on Lawn 9, to the right of the Sidney Myer Music Bowl looking to the Yarra River from the gardens.
Santa Fun Run participants can choose to do one or two laps around the Tan Track.
View in Google Maps.
Sydney: Metcalfe Park, Pyrmont, Sydney on Saturday 30th of November 2024.
The event track is around Sydney’s Darling Harbour and the City Skyline, the Event Village is located in Metcalfe Park, on Darling Island Wharf in Pyrmont, offering views of Sydney City’s western edge.
Santa Fun Run participants can choose to do one or two laps around the event track.
Who can take part in The Santa Fun Run?
Anyone can take part! if you are under 18 you must have a guardian sign up and come with you.
We encourage you to sign up and take part in The Santa Fun Run with your friends, colleagues, family, school and clubs, or sporting teams.
All you need to do is regsiter, set a fundraising goal, and start preapring.
It’s all about raising much-needed funds for those living with blindness and low vision to stay active and independent.
What cool prizes and incentives are up for grabs?
Check out the Rewards Page here! There will also be FREE giveaways at the event village.
Do I have to run the event course?
Although it is a fun run, you are welcome to walk, run or roll (in a wheelchair) on the course. This is an event for all abilties and fitness levels, and you can choose to finish one or two laps of the course. Please contact us for more information.
Do I have to dress up as Santa?
Score a FREE Santa Fun Run T-shirt when you raise $250+ or purchase your Santa Fun Run t-shirt during the registration process.
You can accessorize yourself however you like with Christmas accessories or dress up as Santa if you wish. Please make sure your race bib is visable on the outside of your garments.
It's raining on event day, will it still go ahead?
Registering
How much does it cost to register?
Prices are listed here.
How do I register?
Click on Register for Melbourne or Register for Sydney and follow the prompts to get started!
I'm a Vision Australia client, do I receive a discount for entry?
Yes! Please email fundraising.events@visionaustralia.org and ask for the client promo code to enter at the payment stage.
When do registrations close?
Early Bird Online entries end at 11:00pm on October 31st
Standard Online entries end at 11pm on 22nd November for Melbourne, and 11pm on 29th November for Sydney.
Last Minute/On day entries at the event start at 8am and end at 9am on event day for both locations (30 minutes before the race starts at 9.30am).
I'm having trouble registering - what do I do?
Please email fundraising.events@visionaustralia.org
I can no longer participate - what do I do?
Please email fundraising.events@visionaustralia.org for more details.
I entered the wrong details when I registered - what do I do?
Please email fundraising.events@visionaustralia.org
Can I register at the event?
Yes, between 8am and 9am only.
Can my friend take my registration if I can no longer attend?
You can have a friend take your entry only on race day between 8am and 9am and there is a cost of $10. Please email fundraising.events@visionaustralia.org for more details.
I require a support person and I have a companion card. Does my support person have to register and will they recieve free entry?
If you have a companion card, you can bring a support person to assit you and they will receive FREE entry into the event.
Please purchase yourself a ticket and chose the Support person ticket for free for your support person. They have the option to fundraise too if they would like.
Race Details
What is the course distance?
Sydney - Darling Harbour: 4km for 1 lap
For both locations, people can choose during registration to do 1 or 2 laps of the course.
Race bibs postage
T-shirt postage will commence at the beginning of November. So don't worry if you register early, your T-shirt will be on the way in November.
Ticket options including postage will close at 11.59pm on 4 November to ensure participants receive T-shirts and Race bibs in time for the event.
Race bib collection
Race Bibs and Santa T-shirts will be available to collect from the Event Village from 8am.
Race results
Race will not be a timed event this year. Participants are welcome to time themselves on their own devices.
Startline and waves
The start line is adjacent to the event village. Waves will start from 9:30am.
Dasher (Wave 1) - Two laps - recommended for fast walkers or runners
Dancer (Wave 2) - 1 lap - recommended for moderate walkers
Prancer (Wave 3) - 1 lap - recommended for leisurely walkers
What are the course cut off times?
Start line closes at 10am
All participants must be finished by 11:30am
If you have further queries please email fundraising.events@visionaustralia.org
Toilet, drink and first aid locations
Please email fundraising.events@visionaustralia.org
Can I run with headphones
Yes, of course!
Can I run with a pram?
Prams are permitted at The Santa Fun Run. Please start at the back of your wave for safety reasons.
Can I have a supporter bike ride next to me?
Yes, but please let us know at the registration desk at the Event Village.
Can I bring my Dog?
Yes, leashed dogs are permitted. Please be responsible and clean up after your dog. Dogs must remain on-leash and on-trail at all times.
Can I run as a support person for someone?
Yes, this is possible. Support people can register using the Support Person ticket, but they need to register with the person they are supporting and advise us at the registration tent on the day who they are supporting. Please email fundraising.events@visionaustralia.org if you have any questions.
Can I fly a personal drone on the course?
The use of any type of drone or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is prohibited at the Event. Any person using a drone or UAV may be disqualified from the Event.
Will there be bag drop facilities at the event?
Yes. You can drop a bag at the bag drop station and receive a ticket for late ollection.
Bikes can be locked to crowd control barriers, left at own risk.
My Fundraising
How do I ask for donations?
Tell everyone you know that you'll be doing The Santa Fun Run supporting those that are blind or have low vision.
Share the journey with your friends and family by posting on social media, telling your work mates, getting your club involved. Now's not the time to be shy, spread the news and as for your friends and family to sponsor you.
We have more tools and resources avaliable here on the Fundraising Resources page.
Where does my fundraising money go?
Every dollar raised helps achieve a positive impact for people living with blindness and low vision to live their lives with the independence they seek. That in turn promotes real social inclusion.
Emotional support and groups for social inclusion
Occupational therapists for independence
Mobility specialists to stay safe and get around
Orthoptists to assess functional vision and make recommendations
Education and employment support to achieve aspirations
Aids and equipment from our shop to improve daily living
Technology and training to stay connected
Early intervention, children's and adolescents' specialised services
Seeing Eye Dogs for independence
Audio books and library for leisure and learning
Helpful information and advice for clients and families
My Aged Care and NDIS experts to maximise funding
How do I prove I am fundraising for Vision Australia?
Once you register you'll receive an email that will acknowledge your registration in The Santa Fun Run and will act as your authorises you to fundraise. You can use this to show to donors, sponsors, or venues if you need to.
Are there fundraising rules I need to know?
Yes, take a look at our Fundraising Guidelines. These cover things like fundraising regulations, event planning (finances, venue, ticket sales, raffles and prizes), and keeping good records.
For instance if you are organising an event, your expenses must not exceed 40% of your fundraising. To keep costs down you can ask for support through your network. You’ll be surprised how generous people are when you ask for discounts or prizes.
We’re here to help. Call our fundraising team on 1300 84 74 66 or reach out via Contact Us.
How do I bank cash funds I have raised?
You have a few options to bank your funds so your fundraising can be put to good use straight away:
1. You can log in and add your fundraising to your fundraising page via your credit card. The transaction will instantly appear on your page and your fundraising total.
2. You can send a cheque to us at:
Santa Fun Run
Fundraising
Vision Australia
454 Glenferrie Road
Kooyong VIC 3144
3. You can make a direct deposit to the following account:
Account Name: Vision Australia
Bank: National Australia Bank
Account: 51-542-6465
BSB: 083-004
Reference: SFR
Please add your name as a reference, and contact us to let us know the amount of money you will be banking, so that we can identify that the payment is from you.
Can I give my donors receipts?
Yes, your online donors will automatically be sent a receipt.
Just remember that receipts cannot be given when there is an exchange for goods or services, for example, event tickets, raffle tickets, bake or sausage sales.
How long will my fundraising page stay active for?
Fundraising pages will stay active for 1 year
Are donations tax deductible?
Yes, they are! All donations $2 and over are tax deductible and a receipt is emailed to your donor straight after they make the donation.
My fundraising page and dashboard
What can my fundraising page do?
Your fundraising dashboard has access to a whole range of resources, tools and downloads to help you achieve your fundraising goal.
You can:
- Set yourself a fundraising goal, add a photo and a blog.
- Update your profile, details and change your password.
- Download fundraising resources to help you achieve your goal.
- Send emails to your connections to ask for donations and track your fundraising.
- Create a team and then recruit team members, you can even send emails to your friends to join your team.
- Download posters and social media resources.
- Send personalised thank you emails.
- Accept or delete comments from your amazing donors.
Why not jump on and check it out!
How do I reset my password?
How do I update my fundraising goal?
- Log into your dashboard.
- Go to 'My Activity’
- Scroll down to 'Edit your fundraising goal'
- Change your goal
- Scroll down and select 'Save Changes' at the bottom of the page
Stay updated
Follow us on social media for the latest news
#SantaFunRun
