More than 3,000 runners battled a cold and crisp December morning as Marlow’s 15th annual Santa Fun Run took place today. 

The runners, joggers and walkers all donned their red Father Christmas outfits with some even dressing up as elves, gnomes and turkeys as they embarked on a 5k run across the town. 

All the money raised will go towards the Wycombe Homeless Connection, Buckinghamshire Mind and the Marlow Rotary Club, with the latter organising the event.

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Mayor of Marlow, Richard Scott, told the Bucks Free Press: “It was another fantastic day.

“This has been going on for 15 years now and it really has been growing in the town.

“The fact that 3,000 runners took part this year is just fantastic.

"This exemplifies the community spirit here in Marlow which we saw at the light switch-on a couple of weeks ago, and we’ll see later on in the week at the late-night shopping event in the High Street.

Bucks Free Press: The Santas taking part in the warm upThe Santas taking part in the warm up

“Today is all about the community – there were young people, old people, people who aren’t running but are walking around the track and it was fantastic.”

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The yearly run saw participants congregate in Higginson Park where they all took part in a warm-up before the race began at 9.30am.

Split into three sections (runners, joggers and walkers), the High Street was soon a sea of red as thousands made their way down the busy road. 

They soon then ran down Chapel Street and Glade Road, before heading towards Dedmere Road, The Chase and The Parkway near the Globe Business Park.

And after going past the industrial estate, the Santas then ran down Lock Road, Mill Road, and Station Road, before crossing the finishing line at Higginson Park.

Richard Scott then added: “I live on the route of the course and I’ve seen the runners run past my house before. 

“It really is a fantastic spectacle for the town and it’s a great community event for all the family.

“And if people are coming from outside the town to take part in the run then that’s great too!

“They’re coming to a great town at a good time of the year.”

It is not known how much money has been raised yet, and everyone who did take part received a medal.