Festive fun for all at the 4th Annual Santa Run
Record numbers braved the rain (dear – groan!) for Rugby’s 4th annual Santa Run on Sunday.
Open to all and not just club-members, seeing was believing as over 600 Santas, of all ages and abilities, took to the track and the streets of Rugby in their Santa suits, jingles bells and tinsel to help raise funds for this year’s good causes.
RNAC coach Kay Shaw led the warm up before the festivities began with over 70 under 8s running the children’s Lap. Over 160 entrants – juniors and seniors – ran The 1 Mile Santa Dash before the main event of the morning, the 5k run.
In the 1 Mile Dash, the boys were led home by junior club members Lawrence Saunders and Isaac Skinner-Kakitie who took the top two places with Liam Proffitt coming in third.In the girls’ category, the winner was Zoe Gardner with Anna Farrow and Grace Darcy completing the podium.
The 5k event, a 1 lap route which both started and finished at Rugby Athletics track, was won overall by club runner Ben Musgrove. It was a family affair as younger brother Joe took first place in the boys’ category. Hutton brothers Finn and Cian finished 2nd and 3rd . Sally Tilt was the first senior lady across the line whilst club members took all 3 places for the girls with Olivia Sheehan followed by Erin Darcy and Bethany Blundell.
Rugby MP Mark Pawsey, who also ran the 5K, presented trophies and prizes to the winners but all runners found themselves rewarded for their efforts with medals, mince pies and Christmas Cheers from the many supporters along the route.
Event organisers Kay Shaw and Anne Hartfield thanked runners, supporters and volunteers alike for helping to make this year’s event the best yet. Particular thanks go to the Rotary club for marshalling the event again this year.
RNAC’s share of the monies raised will be used to equip the new fitness area in the Rugby clubhouse and also, to help fund Startrack places for talented local athletes who, due to financial constraints, might otherwise miss out on such an opportunity.
Reports that the real Santa was spotted among the crowds are, as yet, unconfirmed…
The Santa Run is organised by the Coaches of the Ladies Running Group. Fancy taking part next year but don’t think you can? The new Ladies Beginners course starts in the New Year, contact ladiesrunninggroup@gmail.com for more information.
Full results were as follows:
5K winners
Senior male
Ben Musgrove
Adam Wright
Ian Mansell
Senior female
Sally Tilt
Claire Hough
Helen Edwards
Junior boy
Joe Musgrove
Finn Hutton
Cian Hutton
Junior girl
Olivia Sheehan
Erin Darcy
Bethany Blundell
1 mile Santa Dash
Boys
Lawrence Saunders
Isaac Skinner-Kakitie
Liam Proffitt
Girls
Zoe Gardner
Anna Farrow
Grace Darcy
