ON Sunday 4th December, 500 runners of all ages took part in the Monmouth Santa Fun Run, organised by Spirit of Monmouth Running Club. This huge turnout was the biggest ever for the event.

The weather conditions were ideal, a beautiful cold and sunny December morning and, many participants were wearing festive fancy dress.

Following a group warm-up, the run started at 10am on the Monnow Bridge. The 2.1km route took the runners up the high street, towards Osbaston, across Vauxhall fields and back to the Monnow Bridge.

The first runner home - winner of the 1st Male Santa prize – was Sam Jones, who completed the route in nine minutes. The 1st Female Santa was Angela Jones. 1st Girl Santa was Maddie Taylor, aged 14. 1st Boy Santa was Dominic Davies, aged 10. The winning Team of Santas was Family Christ-Nash and the Best-Dressed Santa was Katie Mapp.

This year, proceeds from the event will be donated to Meeting the Needs, the charity of Class 9, Special Needs Unit at Overmonnow Primary School. The charity aims to advance the education and enhance the quality of life of children with special needs in Monmouth and the local area.

Monies raised through race entry fees totalled £1,429 and £1,000 of this will be kindly matched by Barclays Bank, bringing the total amount raised for Class 9 to £2,429.

The Santa Fun Run relies on lots of local support. Spirit of Monmouth Running Club would like to thank the following people and organisations for helping to make the event possible: Haberdashers Monmouth School for Boys, Iain McDonald at the Monmouth School Sports Club, Mike Bennett at www.physicallimits.co.uk, Timpson’s, The Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club, Monmouth County Council and Wye Media. In addition, the club would like to thank all of the volunteers who gave up their time on the day to help the event run smoothly and safely, the spectators who turned out to encourage the runners and, the 125 members of Monmouth Junior Rugby Club who took part.

Race Director Stuart Kramer said: “A huge thank you to everyone who supported in whatever way this morning. Your help and enthusiasm turned a great day into a memorable one for all of the runners.

"The huge smiles on the little ones faces as they were cheered through the finish line was truly fantastic.”