Gallery: Marlow Santa Dash 2014

The tenth annual Marlow Santa Dash took place in Higginson Park, with more than 2,250 people taking part.

Adults, children and dogs ran, walked and jogged the 5km through the streets of Marlow.

Marlow’s own Olympic champion, rower Sir Steve Redgrave, introduced the race and competed in it himself.

Paralympic rower, Naomi Riches, was also present to lead the pre-race warm up.

The Santa Fun Run is organised by the Rotary Club of Marlow and the Rotary Club of Marlow Thames.

Over the ten years it’s been running, the event has raised more than £132,000 for good causes. This year’s lead charity was Marlow Age Concern.

Lance Slater, of the Rotary Club of Marlow, said: “I’m absolutely delighted. It looks like it’s going to be another great year.

“A record number of people signed up this year. We have been incredibly lucky because the rain has held off so far, so it’s the perfect weather for it.

“It’s also wonderful to have Steve Redgrave here; he’s a great Marlow man and of course, Naomi Riches.

“It’s a great family event and we’re delighted to be holding it again this year. We would like to thank the people of Marlow for supporting us and coming along.

“We’re so delighted and already looking forward to doing it all again next year.”

Town mayor, Suzanne Brown, completed the race in 52 minutes.

She said: “It was really great again this year. I’ve been doing this for a long time - this is the seventh time I've done the race and it’s always great fun.

“I ran the race with Lisa Arnold, who owns Beehive Treats, so she has been spurring me on. It’s such a relief to make it to the end, but it’s all for good causes.

“I'm raising money for various charities, such as Marlow Age Concern, which I am the manager of but Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance and Marlow Opportunity Playgroup are causes very close to my heart.”

Hannah Sharp, from Maidenhead, was the first female to cross the line, with a time of 20 minutes and 44 seconds.

She said: “This is my fifth Santa Dash. I really enjoy taking part and it was a great race. I won two years ago but I didn’t win last year, so it’s nice to regain my title.”

Gareth Shellard, a medical student at Oxford University, was the first male to cross line, in less than 20 minutes.

He said: “This is the first time I’ve ever done this race. I mostly do a lot of triathlon, so it’s nice to do a running race. It’s a nice change of scene for me.

“I’d definitely do the race again next year. Everyone raced really well. There were a couple of guys who were really fast so I was happy to beat them.”

Gareth is Sir Steve’s daughter’s boyfriend.

At the awards presentation, Sir Steve said: “I thought somebody in the family should be near the front. He was a bit embarrassed about beating me, or he should be.”

Sir Steve thanked the rotary clubs for holding the festive event again.

He said: “It’s absolutely fantastic; it’s a good celebration and a good start to Christmas.”