Santa Race returns for ninth year to Southsea seafront

More than 2,500 runners will take part in the ninth annual Santa Run in Southsea tomorrow in aid of the RNLI and The Rowans Hospice.

The event will see runners set off to run either one mile, 5k or 10k – with 430 people signed up to all three under the new Snowflake Challenge.

The race, which is sponsored by Unbeatable Car, is organised by personal trainer Rob Piggott, from Copnor, who runs fitness firm Believe and Achieve.

He said: ‘This is our ninth year for the Santa Run and every year it becomes more and more popular.

‘It’s great to see more people, especially more children, getting involved.

‘It turns the seafront red and white, which is the only time in the year that you will see that.’

The runners will leave for the one-mile race at 9am from the Coffee Cup on Eastney Esplanade.

The 10k event starts at 9.40am at Speaker’s Corner, Clarence Esplanade, Southsea with the 5k event starting there at 11.30am.

The races are all sold out, however Rob encouraged people to come down to 
show their support for the runners.

He said: ‘I’d urge people to come along. It’s a nice day out to see the spectacle, plus people really appreciate a bit of encouragement and cheering as they are going around.

‘And they may want to put a few coins in the charity collections too.

‘I’d urge everyone to come down, and there’s opportunities if they want to help with things like handing out the costumes.’

Rob’s advice to runners was to bring their own belt.

He is organising the Portsmouth Coastal Waterside Marathon on December 18 and the Portsmouth Coastal Half Marathon on Sunday, February 12.

For more on Rob’s races or to get involved go to fitprorob.biz/ or call 07780 675747.