SANTA is on the run.
Lots of him.
And so is Mary Christmas. And lots of her too.
The sight of a hoard of red bearded Santas running through the streets of Wokingham will soon be seen – but only if you make a date for next week’s Winter Carnival.
Wokingham’s Lions will be presenting the first-ever Wokingham Festive Dash just before the carnival parade takes place on Sunday, November 25.
The route is a mince pie and sherry friendly 1.5km (just under a mile) so that even the heaviest of Santas should be able to take part.
The Lions are encouraging participants to wear something festive for the dash through Wokingham, adding that it didn’t need to be a Santa suit.
And to encourage some fancy dress, a three-month membership to Anytime Fitness Wokingham – who are sponsoring the run – will be the prize for the best dressed man and woman. The prize for the best dressed boy and girl under age 16 will be a sports holdall and a water bottle.
Wokingham Lions’ Bob Westerman, who is helping to organise the event, is looking forward to it.
He said: “This is the first festive Festive Dash organised by the Wokingham Lions Club.
“We look forward to seeing the festive costumes, and hope to make it a fun annual event. Please join us for the short run through the town, before the Winter Carnival parade commences.”
Entry is £5 for over 16s and £10 for families of two adults and up to four children. Money raised from the event will go to Macmillan Cancer Care.
To take part, be at the pond in Wokingham Borough Council’s car park at Shute End, by 3pm on the day.
Because of space, entrants will only be able to access the route on foot and no vehicles will be permitted.
The route sees the runners begin at Station Road, and follow Rectory Road, Wiltshire Road, Peach Street before finishing on Denmark Street.
For more information on the Wokingham Lions Club, log on to http://wokinghamlions.org.uk, or email mail@wokinghamlions.org.uk.
