When 8,000 Santa Clauses came to town
MORE than 8,000 Father Christmases came to town yesterday as hoards of festive fun-runners besieged Glasgow city centre for the Santa Dash, turning the streets into a sea of red.
The annual 5K drew the huge crowd, who turned out in their best seasonal gear for the popular fundraiser.
This year’s nominated beneficiary was the Beatson Cancer Charity, with young and old braving the chill to take part in the race, which began at George Square and continued around the city through St Vincent Street, Finnieston Street, Broomielaw, Oswald Street, Argyle Street and Buchanan Street.
Roads were shut for the race from 9am to 4pm.
Christmas music played and onlookers cheered from the pavements as the runners pounded the streets in what was one of many Santa Dashes taking place around the globe in honour of a variety of good causes.
In Edinburgh, runners, and pet dogs too, paced their way around West Princes Street Gardens, raising money to grant the wishes of children for When You Wish Upon A Star.
In London, about 3,000 Santas gathered for a 5K on Clapham Common, running in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Among those in red was television presenter and former Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba, who revved up the runners and met families and Gosh patients.
“It’s genuinely something I’ve never seen before and one of the sights of my year,” he said of the thousands of Santas.
Some of the participants took to social media to post imges of their medals.
On Facebook, Anna Kolodziej said: “Thank you Glasgow for another great Santa Dash. We loved it!”
Richard Cooper said: “Another year, another fantastic event. Well done to all the Santas out there, and all the supporters on the streets. Brilliant.”
Lynn Kelly added: “2,400 Santas ran on 9th December 2012 and today it was 8,300... amazing sight to be part of and for a fabulous cause. Let’s up the number even more next year Glasgow.”