Hundreds join Santa fun run

MORE than 200 people took part in this year’s Santa fun run which has been described as the “most successful” yet.

Runners were dressed in festive outfits, including Father Christmas, Mrs Claus, reindeers, elves and penguins.

Sunday’s event, which started and finished at Leander Club, challenged participants to run the 4km course but they could choose how many laps they wanted to do. It raised a total of £1,200 for Mayor Tom Buckley’s chosen charities, the Nomad youth and community project, the Chiltern Centre and Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire.

Rupert House School, an independent school in Bell Street, Henley, sponsored the event and provided Santa hats for the runners.

At the finish line, they were served mince pies supplied by Tesco, and hot chocolate, provided by Henley Royal Regatta and Leander Club.

Awards were handed out to the best-dressed Locke family, from Henley, who won lunch at the Argyll Pub in Market Place.

The fastest runner was William Lamacraft, 12, from Shiplake, who won a tub of Quality Street chocolates.

Fiona Chater, a first-time Santa runner, was participating with her nine-year-old daughter, Emilia. She said: “We’ve never done it before but it’s a really good start to Christmas. It’s not a race today. You can run, you can walk, you can hop, skip. So, it’s great that everyone has come together to do it.”

Jon Bull took part with his children, Millie, eight, and Joshua, 10. He said: “I have a large collection of unused beards and I thought this was the perfect opportunity to get one out of the box and use it.

“The kids tagged along, I didn’t expect them to come with us.

“We’re all local Rupert House kids and we love Christmas, love running and we’re just here to have a fun time.”

Zoe Wilson, who lives in Henley, was running with her 15-year-old Lhasa Apso dog, Spot.

She said: “The community spirit in Henley is really, really overwhelming and the turnout is a real credit to the community. What a beautiful day, I’m thrilled to be part of it.”

Santa on the Run was founded by former Henley mayor Pam Phillips in 2011 when 40 runners took part, raising £300, and it has grown every year since.

Current town councillors Laurence Plant and Sarah Miller are the main organisers.

Cllr Plant said: “It’s just nice to get all the families down here. It’s awesome to see everyone taking part. I’m sports mad, I run and train all the time but it’s nice to see others enjoying it, coming down, dressing up in silly outfits.”

Cllr Buckley said: “This is probably the most successful Santa run we have ever had. If you look at the people that came out today, they are really happy. There’s lots of families, lots of runners.

“Thanks to Leander for helping us to put this event on and to all the councillors and non-councillors who came out today to really help us.”