Scotland Swarmed By Santas

12 DEC2011

Scotland was awash with festive cheer yesterday (Sunday, December 11) as over 3,500 runners took to the streets in Santa outfits. Around 2,500 turned out at George Square, Glasgow, while 1,000 Father Christmases set off from West Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh.

Among the thousands who took part in the Glasgow Santa Dash was Ultimo boss and model Michelle Mone. Competing in her first dash, Michelle said the 5k run turned out to be more difficult than she imagined: "The Santa costume makes you sweat so much more. I'm going to design one with breathable fabric for next year."

Michelle said the event, which raised money for Barnardos and the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow, was filled with an air of generosity, adding: "I got chatting to a 79 year-old man who was carrying a weighted backpack. He recently completed the Malta marathon and was running with his grandchildren. The run was for everyone and it was amazing."

In Edinburgh, runners took part in a pre-race zumba workout before covering two laps of West Princes Street Gardens. Proceeds from the Great Edinburgh Santa Run are going towards When You Wish Upon a Star, a charity that raises money to send disabled and terminally ill children to Lapland.