Slideshow: Hundreds turn out for St Clare Hospice Santa Run

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VISITORS to Harlow Town Park on Sunday (December 11) could be forgiven for thinking they had stumbled across a Father Christmas convention.

More than 230 people dressed as Santa, Mrs Santa and their elves gathered at the Showground for the start of the Star-backed fun run to raise money for St Clare Hospice.

It is the third year the hospice has held its Santa Run in Harlow and Sunday’s event attracted a record number of participants.

Adults, children, babies in pushchairs and even dogs wearing reindeer antlers or their own Santa outfits took part.

Among those joining in the fun was Harlow MP Robert Halfon, who started the runners on their way.

The first Santa home finished in 13 minutes while the last crossed the line at walking pace after 43 minutes.

The event has already raised £3,500 and organisers expect that total to double in the next couple of weeks as sponsorship is sent in.

Tracy Stratford, events fundraiser for St Clare, said: “It is our third year organising the run and each year it gets better and better.

“It still makes us laugh when we see Santas coming across the park from different directions and then set off through the start arch and out on to the course.

“And it is fantastic hearing local motorists driving past beeping their horns in support of the Santas.”

She added the that the hospice wanted to thank Harlow Council, St John Ambulance, Alistage, Speedy Hire and Roz from local Rosemary Connelly fitness group who led the pre-run warm up.

A cheque for £550 was also presented to the hospice by Harlow Running Club. The money was half of the proceeds from the club’s annual Harlow 10-mile run held back in July.