Ali’s 5km a day festive challenge

Follow in Ali’s fundraising footsteps and take on your own festive challenge this December with the Guts UK Virtual Santa Dash.  

For Ali Salter, running 5km every day in December, including on Christmas Day, has become a festive tradition with a purpose; to remember loved ones and raise money for great causes. 

Ali, who lives in Cheltenham and works for a housing association in Cardiff, has taken on the daily running challenge for the past five years in memory of a close friend who died aged just 36. 

Last year, she also raised funds for Guts UK in memory of her colleague Sion, who sadly passed away in his thirties. With Sion’s family choosing to support Guts UK in his memory, Ali wanted to do something to pay tribute.  

Her December challenge sees her cover an incredible 155km over 31 days. We caught up with Ali to find out what motivates her to keep going and why she believes everyone should consider taking on our brand-new festive fundraiser, the Guts UK Virtual Santa Dash. 

Talking about why she wanted to raise funds for Guts UK, Ali said: 

“It wanted to try and support Sion’s family through what must have been an unimaginably difficult time. Anything that I could do, and that my colleagues could support me with, was really important.” 

Ali’s fundraising brought together colleagues, friends, contractors and consultants, with people rallying around to support Sion’s family and a cause that mattered to them. 

For Ali, having a personal reason to fundraise makes the commitment even more meaningful. Although she has now completed the challenge five times, she remembers how daunting it felt when she first started. 

“When I first started doing it, I think it was about day four when I was like, ‘Oh, okay, maybe I can do this.’ I hadn’t told anybody. I hadn’t even told my partner I was doing it. 

“But now it’s become something that I look forward to.” 

Over the years, Ali has run through snow and ice, fitted runs around work and balanced the challenge with family life. Her eight-year-old son has become her very own cheerleader, giving her extra motivation to get out there each December. 

Running every day throughout December means finding time even when life gets busy. And Christmas Day is no exception. 

We couldn’t help wondering whether Ali gets her 5km done before or after Christmas dinner! 

“Going out on Christmas Day is something that’s really special, actually. It’s a bit like going out on a Sunday morning, you know, there’s nobody around. But the people that you do see, there’s that sort of camaraderie.” 

Ali has also embraced a little festive dressing up along the way. 

“I’ve worn bauble earrings and silly hats. The new Guts UK antlers sound absolutely fab.” 

With every challenge, comes difficulties, and there were moments along the way that helped Ali keep going, even when she was exhausted. 

“One of the highlights was probably last year, when I had to go out in the evening, but then the day after I went out in the morning. So I hadn’t had enough rest. 

“I obviously looked bedraggled and knackered because this group of young lads were like, ‘Go on, you can do it!’ 

“They didn’t know I was doing 5K a day. They thought I was just out for a random run. I could have been doing one kilometre, I could have been 20, but they could see I was struggling and that gave me the motivation to keep going.” 

It’s a moment that sums up what Ali has learnt through her challenge, “It doesn’t matter what you look like, what age you are, or how slow or fast you are.” 

Your Santa Dash, your way 

Ali’s experience is exactly why she loves the idea behind the Guts UK Virtual Santa Dash. 

Launching this December, our brand-new festive fundraising challenge invites people of all ages and abilities to take part in the virtual Santa Dash in whatever way works for them. Choose your own distance, route, activity and pace. You could enjoy a festive walk with family, a parkrun with friends, or set yourself a bigger personal goal. You can even bring your dog along. 

Ali said: “I really like that, the flexibility. 

“It’s not about the distance, it’s just about doing something within your capability and making that commitment. If it’s one kilometre, if it’s 10, if it’s five, if it’s going for a walk, I think that sounds fab.” 

For people living with digestive conditions, that flexibility can be particularly important. Symptoms can be unpredictable, and what feels manageable one day might not be possible the next. The Virtual Santa Dash allows participants to set their own goals and adapt their challenge to suit how they’re feeling. 

It’s also an opportunity to make fundraising sociable. Ali encourages people to involve their friends and family, even if they don’t want to complete the whole challenge together. 

“Get your kids out. You don’t have to do 5K. If you’re doing one kilometre or two kilometres, get them to go out as well. Have a little piece of cake at the end of it and go down and see the Christmas lights.” 

No festive challenge is complete without a little festive dress up and we’ve got you covered. Order your Guts UK Santa hats, reindeer antlers and dog bandanas, it’s a fun way to bring together family, friends, workmates and four-legged companions all in matching festive merch. 

Ali knows that taking on a challenge can feel daunting if you’re not used to being active. Five years ago, she was in that position herself. Her advice is to believe in yourself, start with what feels manageable and find a reason that motivates you. 

“I think you can do anything if you put your mind to it. I mean, I was like that five years ago. 

“You just have to believe in yourself and it’s about the consistency. It doesn’t matter what speed you are or how you look or anything, you’ll feel amazing after doing it.” 

For Ali, knowing that her efforts are helping others makes every step worthwhile. She hopes more people will discover how even a small fundraising challenge can have a meaningful impact. 

“I think it’s a small thing that you can do that can have a real impact. Those pounds you raise will all add up.” 

By taking part in the Guts UK Virtual Santa Dash, you can help us continue supporting people affected by digestive conditions through trusted information, support, awareness-raising and vital research. 

 

Sign up to the Guts UK Santa Dash!