Santa is coming a little early this year – in fact, with your help 1500 Santas can take to the streets this December.
No matter if you are male, female young or old, get on your running shoes and the Santa suit and get into the Christmas spirit for charity.
Once again the Rotary is proud to announce the annual Santa Fun Run which starts at 10am in Higginson Park, Marlow, on Sunday 4th December.
So why are we telling you now? This year we expect to hit our maximum numbers, so it is essential that you book early. The website www.santasfunrun.org has just launched with lots and lots of information and entry forms and anyway, you will be wanting to get your sponsorship sorted out as soon as possible
Despite the name, running is not essential. Santa’s can run, walk, hop, skip or jump, and even push or carry, it’s up to them – after all it’s only 5km around Marlow. Not just a race though it is a chance to get up early, hone their fitness, meet up with friends and generally enjoy themselves – just so long as they come in character. Last year over one thousand two hundred people took part and everyone got an impressive, bronze medal to prove they’d done it. Which brings us to the question, why? 
Very simple – to help other people. Last year Santa’s Fun Run raised an incredible £25,000 which was divided between more than ten charities including Helen and Douglas House, the Childrens’ Respite Home in Oxford, Maidenhead MS society, MacMillan Cancer and Help for Heroes as well as entrants’ own charities. In the seven years since the first Rotary Santa’s Fun Run the total raised has exceeded £75,000 for deserving causes, many of them local.
Cost £13 for adults and £10 if you’re between 12 and 17. 5 – 11 year olds pay £5 and could also win a prize if their seasonal costume is judged to be one of the best. Everyone gets a Santa suit and is awarded the medal and a ‘goody bag’ at the finishing line.
Organising the Rotary Santa’s Fun run involves a lot of work and that’s the responsibility of Marlow and Marlow Thames Rotary Clubs to make it fun, safe and successful. Rotary members and their supporters do everything from handing out the Santa suits to clearing away rubbish when it’s all over. They agree the 5 km (3 miles) route with the Council, appoint marshals to direct diverted traffic and make sure pedestrians stay safely out of the runners’ way. Probably around a hundred people volunteer during the organisational phase and on the day to make sure everything goes smoothly. Everyone agrees it’s a very good run for the money and it’s very good money for the charities.
Marlow’s own Sir Steve Redgrave will start the event, and this year the leading beneficiary will be Marlow Sports Club’s exciting project to provide a modern, quality sports facility for the community – so please get behind us and them by supporting this most worthwhile event which will also benefit many other worthwhile causes.
For further information visit our website www.santasfunrun.org or phone 01628 476610
