250 take part in Wellington santa run

DIEGO OPATOWSKi/Fairfax NZ

NAUGHTY AND NICE: Katty Lau - also known last night as Mrs Claus - and her dog Buster race for the finish line.

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Forget the belly like a bowl full of jelly – these Santas are lean, mean running machines.

More than 250 Santas took part in the fourth annual Great New Zealand Santa Run along Wellington's waterfront last night.

Twenty-two-year-old Tim Farrant, of Christchurch, was the winner, crossing the finish line just ahead of champion runner Melissa Moon.

Mr Farrant, who has moved to Wellington for a summer internship at the Treasury, said he had run the race twice before in Christchurch. "But there aren't many chimneys down there now, so I decided to give it a go up here."

Being a non-native Wellingtonian meant he struggled with directions during the race, which started and finished at Frank Kitts Park, looping around Te Papa and the Telecom Christmas tree at Waitangi Park.

Luckily, Moon was happy to help out.

"I didn't know where the course was going, and I had to ask her where we were meant to go," Mr Farrant said. "I got confused around the big Christmas tree."

As well as Santas of all ages, several dogs dressed as reindeer took part in last night's race. Entry fees and donations were collected in support of the KidsCan charity for disadvantaged children.

Nationwide, more than 1700 Santas took to the streets yesterday.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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