Events

Fergusons Newcastle Santa Run 2006

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Date: 16th Dec 2006
Venue: Exhibition Park, Newcastle

A Sea of Santas swapped their reindeer for running shoes in the first ever Ferguson’s Santa Run.

Hundreds donned red and white costumes, pulled on their running shoes and stuck on their long, white beards to complete the 4km course, to raise around £12,500 for the Chronicle’s Sunshine Fund and Century FM’s 21st Century Kids.

The sun shone brightly as competitors from across the region descended on Newcastle’s Exhibition Park to warm up for the race.

Winner of the men’s race was Graham Bell, 38 – who said his eight-year-old daughter Rachel told him the day before the race that losing the race was not an option.

Graham said: “It feels fantastic to have won the race – a first for Santa. The suit was a little bit hot running round, but it was all really good fun. I’d no idea I was in with a chance of winning, but when I got half way round I just went for it.”

Graham’s wife, Alison, 40, was watching her husband with their daughter when he crossed the line. She said: “We’re both really proud of him. I just can’t believe he won it after Rachel told him that he had to do it on Friday. It’s been a fantastic day. We’ve all really enjoyed ourselves.”

The winner of the women’s race was Angela Hibbs, who runs for the Claremont running club. She said: “That was the first time I’ve ever raced in costume, so it was a lot of fun.

“I had put a lot of pressure on myself to win it, so I’m very relived now that I actually have done. One of the people who sponsored me, Louise Parker, said she’d double her sponsor money if I did, so I’m pleased about that, too.

“This was for a really good cause and I’m pleased to have been able to help out any way I can.”
Second-place Mark Anderson, 27, from Warkworth, was supported on the day by his cousin, Lara Hepburn, 31, and her son Dylan, 13 months. He said: “It’s been a brilliant day, and it looks like everyone’s really enjoyed it.”

Father and son Mark and David Kidd complete the Sunshine Run every year but decided to take part in this year’s Santa Run to get into the Christmas spirit.

David, 25, a trainee teacher, from Whickham, who is a regular runner, said: “I’ve done a little extra training for this but I was just looking forward to completing the race in the suit. “It was a miracle that the trousers stayed up on the way round, but it was all very good fun.”

Dad Mark, 57, said: “We both managed to raise a little bit more than the £50 you had to, so we’re both really pleased about that. We like to do our bit for charity and this is a really great way to do it.”
Runners of all ages came out in force to complete the run, which was started by double Paralympic champion Stephen Miller, of Cramlington.

Each of the runners raised at least £50, to be divided between the Sunshine Fund and Century FM’s 21st Century Kids.

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