RUNNING

Largest Santa Run in the Southern Hemisphere

THE INAUGURAL WENDY’S GREAT NEW ZEALAND SANTA RUN WAS GREAT SUCCESS

Herald Article - http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10547539

Some images - http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?eventId=83957004#

Last night (Wednesday 10th December) around 250 people dressed up as Santa (and the odd Rudolph), ran or walked a 3km course and claimed the record for the largest Santa Run in the Southern Hemisphere. The course followed the footpaths of Aucklands Viaduct harbour, cheered on by patrons in the trendy cafes and restaurants, all the way around the Princes Wharf/Hilton Hotel and back again.

Michael Peprina, dressed as a reindeer won the race in 8 mins 52, with a Santa close behind. NZ orienteering rep, Tania Robinson won the Lady Santa category in 10 mins 30.

The Santa Run concept is big internationally, with many Santa Runs in the major cities around the world.

Shaun Collins from Lactic Turkey Events decided to orgainse the event at the end of October after a regular competitor suggested it would be a great event. So an event was quickly pulled together in Auckland this year, but planning has already started for Santa Runs in all of the major centres around the country in 2009.

Australia had their first Santa Run on Sunday at Tasmania and only got 100 people so the NZ Santa Run was the largest Santa Run in the Southern Hemisphere! The world record is 7,200 Santas running in Las Vegas.

Wendy’s front man, Kiwi Dave, started the race after a quick Santa aerobics warm up session.

The receiptent charity Cure Kids will receive event profits. Through its commitment to researching life-threatening illnesses affecting children, Cure Kids turns research into hope. Cure Kids relies on donations from events such as this to continue its ground-breaking work, which has helped save hundreds of young lives.