Our 2025 Fundraising Challenges:
Mental Elf Festive Fun Run 2026
Get festive, get moving and support better mental health this Christmas!
Dorset Mind’s Mental Elf Festive Fun Run is coming to Poundbury this December! Join us on Sunday 13 December for a festive 5K, bringing our local community together to support better mental health across Dorset.
Run, jog or walk your way around The Great Field. There’s no pressure to race, just an opportunity to get outdoors, enjoy some Christmas spirit and do something positive for your wellbeing while raising funds for Dorset Mind.
Whether you’re bringing the family, getting a group of friends together or taking on a festive challenge of your own, everyone is welcome. Festive dress is encouraged, so dig out those elf hats, Christmas jumpers and reindeer antlers!
We’re also planning a shorter route option for those who don’t want to complete the full 5K, making it easier for younger participants and others to take part at their own pace. Further details will be confirmed once the route is finalised.
Early Elf tickets are available until 13 November 2026. Book your place and join us for a festive morning in Poundbury!
Event details
When: Sunday 13 December 2026
Where: The Great Field, Poundbury, Dorchester
Distance: 5K festive walk, jog or run, with a shorter route option planned
Registration: Opens at 11am
Welcome, briefing and warm-up: 11:45am
Start time: 12pm
Who can take part? All ages are welcome. Children under 16 must attend with a registered adult.
Ticket prices
Early Elf Entry
Available until 13 November 2026.
- Adult (16+): £12
- Child (5–15): £5
- Family ticket: £32 (2 adults and up to 2 children aged 5–15)
- Under 5s: Free (registration required)
Standard Entry
Available from 14 November 2026.
- Adult (16+): £15
- Child (5–15): £7
- Family ticket: £40 (2 adults and up to 2 children aged 5–15)
- Under 5s: Free (registration required)
All paid tickets include event entry, an event bib and a finisher’s medal. Additional donations are welcome but entirely optional.
What to expect
Join us for a relaxed, festive community event where you can get active, enjoy the fresh air and help make a difference to local mental health support.
Whether you’re taking part with family and friends, looking for a different kind of Christmas outing or setting yourself a personal challenge, Mental Elf is about taking part in a way that works for you.
You can walk, jog or run the route at your own pace. There is no need to be a regular runner, and you don’t need to aim for a particular time. Come along, enjoy the atmosphere and celebrate reaching the finish line.
What’s included in your ticket?
Your 5K entry
Take part in Dorset Mind’s non-competitive Mental Elf Festive Fun Run at The Great Field, Poundbury.
Event bib
Collect your event bib and get ready to join our festive crowd.
Finisher’s medal
Celebrate completing the event and take home a medal to remember your day.
Festive atmosphere
Bring some Christmas cheer, wear your favourite festive outfit and enjoy being part of a community event supporting better mental health.
A shorter route option
We’re planning a shorter route for participants who don’t want to complete the full 5K. Details will be confirmed once the route has been agreed.
Make a morning of it: post-run refreshments
Once you’ve crossed the finish line, why not head over to Pavilion in the Park for a well-earned coffee or something to eat?
They’re a lovely local spot, and we’d encourage everyone to pop in, support them and enjoy a warm drink after their festive outing. It’s a great way to round off the morning and keep supporting local businesses while you’re in Poundbury.
Please check the Pavilion’s arrangements and opening information closer to the event.
Why support Dorset Mind?
Dorset Mind is a local mental health charity supporting people across Dorset. We work to promote wellbeing, challenge stigma and help people access support when they need it.
The festive season can be a difficult time for some people, and access to mental health support matters all year round. By taking part in our Mental Elf Festive Fun Run, you’re helping Dorset Mind continue its work supporting local people, connecting communities and changing attitudes towards mental health.
You don’t have to fundraise to take part, but we’d love you to help us raise even more. If you can, consider setting yourself a fundraising target and asking friends, family or colleagues to sponsor your challenge. Every contribution helps us support local people with their mental health and wellbeing.
Volunteer with us
Our events wouldn’t be possible without the help of brilliant volunteers.
We’re looking for people who can help us welcome participants, support registration, marshal the route and cheer our festive fundraisers on. Whether you can spare a few hours or help us get ready beforehand, we’d love to hear from you.
Volunteering is a great way to support Dorset Mind, meet people locally and be part of a positive community event.
Dorset Mind Mental Elf Festive Fun Run 2026 FAQs
You’re welcome to donate as part of the sign-up process!
Alternatively, why not join our JustGiving Campaign by setting up your own JustGiving page to share your achievements with your family and friends.
Here’s how to do it:
- Follow this link and hit the orange ‘Start Fundraising’ button on the right.
- Create or log into your JustGiving account.
- You’ll be asked whether you’re fundraising in memory of someone – indicate ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’
- You’ll be asked whether you’re taking part in an activity – select ‘I’m doing my own activity.’
- Then tell JustGiving a bit more about your activity, including when it is and the name ‘Dorset Mind Mental Elf Festive Fun Run 2026’
- Set your fundraising target – we encourage you to raise over £50 to receive a FREE Dorset Mind t-shirt to wear on the day!
- Choose your web address – and write a bit about why you’re joining the event – this will be the link you can share with your family and friends when you ask them to donate.
- You can add your own cover photo, or use ours.
- Click ‘Finalise’ and then ‘Launch my page.’
And now, you’re done!
You can now share your fundraising page with your family and friends and ask for their donations.
No. Fundraising is encouraged but isn’t compulsory. Your ticket helps support the event and Dorset Mind’s work, and any additional fundraising or donation is entirely optional. If you’d like to raise sponsorship, we’ll be happy to share ideas to help you get started.
Yes, the event is intended to welcome participants of all ages and abilities. You can walk, jog or run at your own pace, and a shorter route option is planned for those who don’t want to complete the full 5K.
Children under 16 must attend with a registered adult, who is responsible for them throughout the event. Under 5s can be registered for free, but their participation arrangements will depend on the final route and event setup.
We’re planning a shorter route option for participants who don’t want to complete the full 5K, including younger children. We’re still confirming the route, so we’ll share more information before the event. Please check the final participant information before attending.
A family ticket covers two adults and up to two children aged 5–15. All participants must be registered. Children under 16 must attend with a registered adult.
If your family includes more than two children, you should be able to add extra child tickets separately.
There is free on-road parking throughout Poundbury, although spaces are subject to availability. Please allow time to find a space and park considerately, without blocking driveways or access routes.
Coming from Poole and the east: Follow the A35 around Dorchester. At Monkeyjump Roundabout, where the A35 meets the A37, take the third exit towards Poundbury.
Coming from Bridport and the west: Follow the A35 to Monkeyjump Roundabout and take the second exit towards Poundbury.
Coming from Yeovil and the north: Follow the A37 south to Monkeyjump Roundabout and take the first exit towards Poundbury.
Please leave enough time to park and make your way to The Great Field ahead of registration.
We’re still confirming the venue arrangements and event requirements for dogs. Please check the final event information before bringing a dog. If dogs are permitted, they must be kept under control and must not cause disruption or risk to other participants.
If your plans change, please contact us as soon as possible via fundraising@dorsetmind.uk
Wear comfortable clothing and suitable footwear for an outdoor 5K in December. Bring layers and waterproofs if needed, and dress warmly while waiting at the start or finish. Festive outfits are very welcome!
Please bring any personal essentials you may need and check the final participant information for further guidance.
If you have any questions about registration, fundraising or the event, please contact the Dorset Mind fundraising team at fundraising@dorsetmind.uk.
We’ll be happy to help.
Please support our work
Dorset Mind is a self-funded local charity that helps people in Dorset experiencing mental health problems access the vital support they need. The charity is at the very heart of our communities shaping futures, changing and in some cases literally saving lives.
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