Frequently asked questions
Participant Information
A comprehensive event guide will be emailed to all participants a week before the event in November 2025.
In the meantime, here are answers to our most frequently asked questions.
For more info, please contact us!
The event
Where is the Santa Fun Run in 2025?
The Santa Fun Run is 1-2 laps of ‘The Tan track’ in the Royal Botanic Gardens on Saturday November 22, 2025. Activities and entertainment will take place at the Event Village, located at Kings Domain, in front of the gates of the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
The Tan Track, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne on Saturday 22nd of November 2025.
View in Google Maps.
Who can take part in The Santa Fun Run?
As an all-ages, inclusive and accessible event we invite anyone to take part! If you are under 18, you will need to attend with a guardian. If you have accessibility needs, we offer free tickets to Companion Card holders who are supporting an attendee.
Santa Fun Run is not a competitive event. Think of it more as a ‘jolly jaunt’ that can be taken at your own pace. Whether you’re trying to set a personal best or pushing a pram for a spring morning stroll, everyone is welcome to soak up the festive atmosphere and raise funds for a good cause.
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?
This event is suitable for all abilities, ages and fitness levels. You have the choice of running, walking, pushing a tram or using a wheelchair on the course. There are options for one lap or two, depending on how far you want to go. See the Race Details FAQ on this page for more information.
Do I have to dress up as Santa?
Joining a sea of Santas is part of the fun and Christmas accessories are strongly encouraged, but you can choose to dress however you like. We have official Santa Fun Run t-shirts for sale at the shop, or you can grab one with a ticket upgrade/as a reward for a self-donation of $20 or more.
Whatever you wear, please make sure your race bib is visible on the outside of your clothing.
It's raining or hot on event day, will it still go ahead?
Will there be a Santa Fun Run in Sydney in 2025?
Tickets and registration
How much does it cost to register?
Santa Fun Run is a ticketed event, with discounts for registration before October 14. Check out the ticketing page for pricing and registration here.
Note there is a flat rate delivery fee of $8.95 for all race bibs as they will be posted out mid November.
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?
Online registration ends at 11pm on 21st November. Last-minute tickets can be purchased at the event between 8am – 9am, 30mins before the race start at 9.30am.
I'm having trouble registering - what do I do?
Please email fundraising.events@visionaustralia.org so we can assist you further.
What happens if I can no longer participate?
Please contact us directly at fundraising.events@visionaustralia.org so we can assist you further.
Can i make changes or corrections to my registration?
If you made a mistake on registration or need to update your details, please contact us directly at fundraising.events@visionaustralia.org so we can assist you further.
Can I register at the event?
Yes, between 8am and 9am only.
Can I transfer my registration if I can no longer attend?
If you can no longer attend and wish to transfer your registration to a friend, please notify us at fundraising.events@visionaustralia.org. We will be able to assist with a transfer at a cost of $10, between 8am – 9am on race day.
Does my support person have to register to recieve free entry?
If you have a Companion Card, please select an entry ticket for yourself as well as selecting the ‘support person’ ticket for your support person. This will provide free entry for your support person, and they will also have the option to fundraise if they like. Please bring your Companion Card to the event.
Where do I collect my race bib and/or Santa t-shirt?
Race details
What are the course details?
Wave 1: Dasher
Two laps (7.6km), recommended for runners or fast walkers
Wave 2: Dancer
One lap (3.8km), recommended for moderate to leisurely walkers
This is not a timed competitive event, but the start line closes at 10am and all participants need to be finished by 11.30am.
Toilet, drink and first aid locations will be published on the event guide, emailed a week prior to the event.
Race results
Race will not be a timed event this year. Participants are welcome to time themselves on their own devices.
Can I run with headphones
Sure, whatever gets you in the zone!
Can I run with a pram?
Yes, prams and families are most welcome. For safety reason, we do request that you at the back of your wave.
Can I have a supporter bike ride next to me?
Yes, we can accommodate accessibility needs including a supporter bike, but please let us know at the registration desk at the Event Village prior to racing. Please let us know at the registration desk at the Event Village.
Can I bring my Dog?
Yes, leashed dogs are permitted during Santa Fun Run, but please be responsible and clean up after your dog. Dogs must always remain on-leash and on the trail.
Can I run as a support person for someone?
Yes, this is possible. Support people can register using the free Support Person ticket option, 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?
No. 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, there is a bag drop station where you can leave your belongings for collection. Bikes can be locked to the crowd control barriers, left at your 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.
Are donations tax-deductible?
All donations $2 and over are tax deductible and a receipt is emailed to your donors whenever they make an online donation.
Receipts cannot be given when there is an exchange for goods or services, for example, event tickets, raffle tickets, bake or sausage sales.
Where does my fundraising money go?
Fundraising for Santa Fun Run directly contributes to Vision Australia’s specialist children’s services, Life Ready. This provides support and resources for childhood development and education of young Australians who are blind or have low vision. You can learn more on the Your impact page.
How do I prove I am fundraising for Vision Australia?
Shortly after you register, you’ll receive an email that includes an Authority to Fundraise for Vision Australia by participating in Santa Fun Run. You can show this email to donors, sponsors or venues if they request proof of authority for this fundraising activity. This letter applies to Santa Fun Run donations and sponsorship only. If you host your own event (such as a bake sale or morning tea), you will need to email fundraising.events@visionaustralia.org to request another letter of authority.
Are there fundraising rules I need to know?
Yes, please refer to our Fundraising Guidelines. This document outlines fundraising regulations, event planning (finances, venue, ticket sales, raffles and prizes), and keeping good records. Receiving online donations to your personal fundraising page doesn’t require any special know-how, but if you decided to organise an event or sell raffle tickets, there are regulations that need to be followed.
For instance, if you are organising your own event, 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.
If there's anything you're unsure about, please 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 [YOUR NAME]
Please add ‘SFR’ plus 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 and issue receipts as needed.
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 from the campaign.
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.
How do I reset my password?
How do I update my fundraising goal?
- Log into your dashboard.
- Go to 'My Page’ and then 'Edit my page'
- Scroll down to 'Fundraising Target'
- Change your target amount
- Select 'Update details' below target.
