Runners raised £602 for a Stevenage-based charity at the annual Santa Canta 5k run on Letchworth’s Norton Common.
Despite damp conditions and muddy conditions underfoot, runners got into the Christmas spirit in style – with many turning out dressed as Father Christmas, elves, reindeer and fairies.
Before and after tackling the two-lap course on Saturday morning, the runners filled collection tins for Tracks Autism, wich has an early years centre for children with autism and related conditions in Stevenage.
Tracks is one of the charities supported by the event organisers, Letchworth-based North Herts Road Runners.
Barbara Sullivan from Tracks Autism said: “A massive thank you to all those who gave so generously. You all looked fantastic and together raised an amazing £602 for Tracks. Thank you so much to NHRR and all the helpers for putting on such a great community event.”
Richard Harbon, NHRR’s event director, said: “Thank you to everyone who braved the rain and mud, donned their fancy dress and ran this morning. Well done, one and all!”
Cara Sutton, who won one of the ‘best outfit’ prizes with her four-year-old daughter Beth, added: “My four-year-old loved it. She’s been waiting for this race for four months and she certainly wasn’t disappointed. It also helped that she won a huge box of chocolates!”
Another prize winner was Jennie Freer, who showed great determination to wheel her daughters Tilly and Erin around the muddy 5k course in their Christmas-themed pushchair.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here