Santas take on Sunday stroll

MORE than 200 runners in Santa hats dashed around Memorial Park in Sonning Common on Sunday.

The damp, cloudy morning didn’t deter the festive runners, some of whom took part in fancy dress, including Santa Claus, snowmen and elves.

Runners ran as much or as little as they wanted.

Prizes were awarded for the best dressed and most laps run.

Arthur Jenkins, 10, took one of the best dressed prizes in his inflatable snowman costume.

Four pupils were awarded for joint most laps run, completing 25 in total.

Parent CJ Thomas was also awarded best dressed, completing 19 laps in an inflatable Santa Claus costume.

Dylan Scott, eight, ran six laps around the park with his father, Nick, dressed as Santa Claus. He said it was the furthest he had ever run, adding: “I kept on telling myself just one more lap.”

Children’s entertainer John Johnny played festive music for the finishers to dance to once they had finished running.

In Kidmore End memorial hall there were cakes, candy floss, face-painting and tattoos. Grill Masters served warm food and Jessie’s Coffee offered hot beverages. The event was organised by the Kidmore End School Association, which raises money for Kidmore End Primary School.

Lucy Shah, co-chair of the association, said she hoped the event would be able to return next year. She said: “We decided to have this festive run just as something new and different for our school. It’s raising money for things to enrich the lives of the kids.

“We’re trying to raise money at the moment for lots of different things, our outdoor learning, computer updates and things like that.

“We’re hoping this can be an annual event.”

Ms Shah said as well as participants from the school, more than 50 people from the wider community had also come down to take part in the run.

She said: “We’ve had more than 200 runners come this morning, which is really positive.

“We’ve had lots of support from Kidmore End memorial hall and the parish council, which maintains park.

“It is run by volunteers from the school and some willing parents and grandparents as well.”