760 Santas run in Marlow's Higginson Park

9:23pm Sunday 7th December 2008

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THE STREETS of Marlow turned a sea of red and white on Sunday when 760 athletic Santas dashed for the finish line.

The Marlow's Santa's Fun Run, an annual 5km challenge, organised by the Rotary Clubs of Marlow and Marlow Thames, attracted widespread support.

Residents watched as festive runners donning the famous red costume and white beard of jolly old St Nick sped around the town.

The course started at Higginson Park before circling around for a final dash along the High Street.

It was the fourth time the festive charity race had taken place, with more Father Christmases than ever before.

Organiser John Bromwich from the Marlow Thames Rotary Club said: “It’s the record number - and it’s becoming one of the biggest events in Marlow.

“It’s an amazing sight - 760 runners out in the park and into Station Road - it was something to behold.

“We also had a couple of reindeer - very large dogs, dressed up with horns and red coats.

“Everybody really did enter into the festive mood and it was a great start to the Christmas season.”

Money raised will be split between the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Rotary groups and the charity of each participant's choice.

The rotary clubs hope to raise £10,000.

Mr Bromwich added: “We were so lucky at that five minutes before the start the air ambulance was going back to base, it diverted over Higginson Park and circled a couple of times to show its appreciation so that was quite spectacular.”

The organisers are aiming to go one step further by getting as many as 1,000 entrants next year.