SCORES of athletes decked out in Santa Claus costumes braved the weather to raise money for charity this morning. (SUNDAY DEC 7) The Santa Run was organised by the Sedgefield Harriers and mayor of Sedgefield, councillor John Robinson. Runners of all ages tackled the 2.6-mile course, which passes through the recently restored 19th Century Hardwick Park.
Coun Robinson started the event and money raised will be donated to his nominated charity, The Butterwick Hospice.
He said: "It was a lovely event and we had about 250 runners of all ages taking part.
"There were children and mams and dads and there must have been some people in their 70s and 80s.
"We had a group of about 40 children from Priory Wood Special School who came from Middlesbrough as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award.
"One of the teachers pushed one of the kids all the way round in a wheelchair and everyone entered into the spirit of it.
"We had people dressed in the Santa outfits we gave them but others brought there own costumes and were dressed as fairies and things.
"The idea was that everyone ran towards the real Santa Claus who was giving out the medals and prizes at the end of the course."
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