IT’S not the usual way Father Christmas gets around!

But yesterday more than 1,000 Santas ran through Oxford city centre for charity.

Early morning shoppers were greeted with a sea of red and white sprinting through the streets.

It was all part of the annual ‘Santas on the Run’ event to raise money for East Oxford hospice Helen & Douglas House, which provides respite and end-of-life care for children and young adults from birth to the age of 35.

Among the runners were 27-year-old Lianna Giles, from Woodstock, and friend Charmaine Simms, 34, from Kidlington.

Ms Giles said: “I did it last year and it was so much fun, we decided to do it again.

“It’s such a great day out. Though I think it looks a little bit sinister seeing so many Santas on buses and in shops.”

The hundreds of competitors took part in a mass warm up around the Bridge of Sighs and the Radcliffe Camera, before setting off at 9.30am.

The 2km (1.24 miles) route took them from Catte Street and around the city centre.

Among those running were the Finch family from Marston – with mum Claire, dad Brian and children Alice, 14, Connie, eight, and Jack, seven.

Mrs Finch said: “The three of us did the run last year, but this is the first time the two little ones have come along. It’s just an amazing event, such a lovely thing to be a part of – we’ve all cycled here this morning, so we’re a bit cold but it’s all for a great local charity.”

Connie added: “It gives us something to do on a Sunday morning.”

Participants all received a goody bag at the end of the run, and hot tea and refreshments were handed out by volunteers.

Friends Grace Rapoport, 23, Michael Chilcott, 25, and Theo Peters, 24, travelled from Reading yesterday morning to take part. Mr Chilcott said: “We all travelled here by bus in our Santa costumes, so that was fun.

“We waved at another Santa around Headington Hill, but he didn’t wave back. It’s so funny to see all the people dressed up around town.

“We just wanted to raise money for a good cause really, as I don’t think there’ll be much chance I’ll be running at the front any time soon.”

Numbers were boosted by runners from last week’s cancelled Cornbury Park run, which was called off because of the bad weather.

Charity spokesman Lin Beekar said: “On Friday, we had around 1,100 people signed up, but we think lots more came along on the day or signed up over the weekend.

“It’s a lovely day, and fantastic to see so many people involved.”