– Hundreds of dinosaurs expected on Weymouth Beach this February Half Term –
We Are Weymouth has announced the return of Everybody Chase the Dinosaur, taking place on Saturday 14th February 2026, kicking off February half term and launching the town’s much-loved Dino Week in unmistakable Jurassic style.
Now an Award-winning event, having scooped up third place as Dorset’s favourite Event in 2025, we are thrilled that this event is now one of the ‘go-to’ events of the year.
The family-friendly charity run will take over Weymouth Beach, raising funds for the Will Mackaness Trust and inviting runners of all ages to don their best dinosaur costumes and take part for fun, fitness and fundraising.
A town-wide dinosaur takeover
The day begins at 10.00am, when three large animatronic dinosaurs, including a T-Rex, Raptor and Allosaurus, arrive in the town centre outside the White Hart on New Bond Street. Accompanied by their rangers (who may struggle to keep them under control), the dinosaurs will roam the streets, creating surprise moments for visitors and shoppers.
At 12.30pm, the dinosaurs head to the beach ahead of the Dino Run warm-up, where hundreds of runners, many in fancy dress, will gather at the Pavilion end of the beach. From 2.00pm to 4.00pm, the dinosaurs will continue to make appearances along St Thomas Street and New Bond Street, offering further photo opportunities and street theatre.
Dawn Rondeau-Irvine, Chief Operations Officer at We Are Weymouth (Weymouth’s Business Improvement District) comments: “Everybody Chase the Dinosaur has quickly become one of those events that really sums up what Weymouth does best – bringing people into the town, having a bit of fun and supporting a great local cause. Seeing the beach and town filled with families, runners and roaming dinosaurs is something special, and the fact that we raised over £1,000 for the Will Mackaness Trust last year makes it even more meaningful.
“2026 is shaping up to be our biggest Dino Week yet, with animatronic dinosaurs taking to the streets, Jurassic activities throughout the town, Jurassic Earth returning to the Pavilion as well as an extended fossil trail and AI dino trail. Whether watching the Dino run or taking part, runners of all ages are getting involved. You don’t need to be fast or competitive – it’s about taking part, dressing up and enjoying Weymouth at its most playful.”
Dino Run event details
- Date: Saturday 14th February 2026
- Location: Weymouth Beach (Pavilion end)
- Registration: from 11.00am
- Warm-up: 12.45pm
- Race start: 1.00pm
- Registration: Eventbrite
Race options include:
- 5km run: Pavilion to Greenhill stones and back (adults)
- 2km run: Pavilion to Pier Bandstand and back (under 16s)
- 1km run: Pavilion to Beach Office and back (under 11s)
- Pre-school dash: sand sculptures to the Pavilion
Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in each category, with one participant crowned “THE Dinosaur” of 2026.
- Plus, a brand NEW- Fun run – Not keen on prizes or 5K? Just want to dress up and have fun? Join our final race of the day – a short run to the bandstand and back! Adults only, different wristbands, same silliness!
In 2025, the event more than doubled its original £500 fundraising target, donating over £1,000 to the Will Mackaness Trust. More than 150 runners and 30 pre-schoolers took part, with hundreds more lining the beach to watch the dinosaurs in action. The 2026 event is expected to be the biggest yet, supported by Duke of Edinburgh volunteers from Wey Valley Academy.
Dino Week activities
Dino Week will run alongside the event, offering:
- Dino Art & crafts – venues across the town
- Free AI Dino Trail – Take your picture with Dinos on your Phone
- Jurassic Rescue (ticketed) Find the lost baby Ankylosaurus before the Evil Zookeeper Scientist captures her.
- Five new fossils launching as part of the expanded free fossil trail
https://weareweymouth.co.uk/fossil-trail-2025/
We’re also excited to announce that come spring 2026, DinoTopia at Globalls – Weymouth’s newest attraction – featuring glow-in-the-dark golf – will be opening in the town, perfect for those visiting at Easter!
Everyone is welcome – whether running, cheering or dinosaur spotting. It’s the taking part that matters most. Laughs guaranteed.
