Samui Santa Run 2026

Samui Santa Run 2026 brings an evening of Christmas-themed running, colourful costumes and community fundraising to Central Samui at Chaweng Beach on Saturday 19 December. Organised by The Run (Thailand) Company Limited, it offers an actual 5.9K fun run and a 2K fun run, both starting and finishing at Central Samui. The organiser says proceeds remaining after expenses support Samui United Football Club and local youth development.

Routes around Chaweng Lake

Both courses head from Central Samui towards Chaweng Lake. The 2K follows the Chaweng Beach Road side of the lake towards Chaweng Thai Stadium and returns. The 5.9K continues on a full circuit around Chaweng Lake before returning to the finish. The event is recreational with festive dressing encouraged, although overall awards are advertised. The longer route is 5.9K. Both distances cost THB 590; register through the official event page for either option.

Race-day schedule

Saturday 19 December: Opening ceremony 16:00; group warm-up 16:30; 5.9K flag-off 17:00; 2K flag-off 17:05; awards around 18:00; and beachside live music 19:00–22:00. Times are in Thailand local time (UTC+7). Check the organiser's updates in case of late changes.

Medals and prizes

First- to third-place trophies are advertised for men and women over both distances, with no separate age groups. Santa and pet costume competitions award Marriott Bonvoy gift cards to the first three places, with a trophy for each first place. Finisher medals are limited: the Samui Santa Run medal is reserved for the first 200 finishers in the 5.9K and the first 100 in the 2K. The first 45 5.9K finishers are also eligible for the Central Pattana anniversary medal. A medal is therefore not assured for all entrants.

Registration and collection

Runners receive a race shirt and bib. Race-pack collection at Central Samui runs Friday 18 December, 10:00–18:00, and Saturday 19 December, 10:00–15:00. Pack collection is in person; there is no postal service. Registrations and bibs cannot be transferred to another person. The start/finish point is at Central Samui opposite Tops Market, Chaweng.

Registration status and organiser contacts

As checked on 24 October 2026, the current-edition Runlah booking page still offered a Register now option. Each of the two fun runs was advertised at THB 590; this does not guarantee that places remain available when a runner reaches checkout. The 5.9K start is at 17:00 and the 2K starts at 17:05, Thailand time.

The organiser is The Run (Thailand) Company Limited, with news on its official Facebook page and an event contact telephone of 096-693-5197 (within Thailand). Check the booking page or contact the organiser for any last-minute changes to capacity, collection or the route.