ALTON’S town centre was buzzing on Sunday with Santas of all ages, shapes and sizes keen to outpace each other as they raced around the streets in Home-Start WeyWater’s second Santa Run.

Expected to make in the region of £1,000 for the charity, this year’s event attracted around 85 runners who began by taking part in a warm-up session conducted in the Market Square by members of Results Gym, spurred on by compere Jerry Janes and joined by Alton mayor Matthew Bayliss and deputy mayor Dean Phillips.

Following a course that took them down Market Street and up the High Street to the top of Crown Hill, around the gardens and back down the High Street to Cross and Pillory Lane and into the Market Square, the first to line up were those taking part in the Santa Stroll.

Very much a family affair, this event attracted a good turnout of mums with children, some in buggies, dogs, dads and grandparents, who enjoyed walking the course ahead of the team race, which was up second and which was won this year by Alton Runners 1.

Next up was the children’s race, with a select number of enthusiastic youngsters dressed as mini-Santas or elves pounding the streets in competitive spirit, with James Gould taking first place.

And then came the Santa Run proper – run over a slightly truncated course, with competitors completing three loops. The first man home was Alistair Morey and the first woman was Caroline Chalk.

All participants received a medal for completing the course in their particular class, with prizes going to the winners of the fancy dress competition in each category – Theo took first prize in the Santa Stroll; the Happy Talk Nursery, plus dog, were judged to be the ‘best dressed’ in the team event; while Maksimillian and Julia won the fancy dress prize in the children’s class.

In addition to hosting the start and finish of the races, the Market Square provided the venue for a number of fundraising stalls offering mulled wine and mince pies, Christmas gifts for sale and a tombola, alongside a Santa’s grotto and a stage with live music by the Ukeaholics, the Salvation Army and the Amery Hill Brass Band, with PA by Colin Longley.

Event organisers also expressed grateful thanks to all those who took part in, supported and helped with the Santa Run, including Alton Runners, Alton Lions, Alton Town Council, Cellar-Vie, Alton Food Bank, The Wheatsheaf, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Baguette-me-not, and the sponsors, among them Alton Sports, the Swan Hotel, Alton House Hotel, ChoLilly, the Toy Shop, Warren Powell Richards, and Wildly Upbeat Printers.

* An independent charity whose volunteers are trained to offer friendship and support to struggling parents with a least one child under the age of five, Home-Start WeyWater helps families living in the Alton, Bordon and Liphook area who are finding if difficult to cope.

The aim of the charity is “to provide a valuable, and practical, support service that makes a real difference to family life” helping, as a result, to prevent family crisis and breakdown.

For more details or to get in touch, visit homestart-weywater.org.uk.