Hundreds of people donned Santa suits to join the annual festive fun run and pound the streets of Bicester.

A total of 300 people, aged from 0 to 70 years of age, took part in Bicester Town Council’s annual Santa Fun Run racing around an almost 5km course on Sunday.

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First place went to Richard Gould, who completed the course in 14 minutes and 13 seconds, second was Luke Scarrott who completed the course in 15 minutes and third place was Timothy Jones who completed the course in 15 minutes and 20 seconds.

Bicester Advertiser: Bicester Santa Fun Run winners. Pic by Eddy Xi GongBicester Santa Fun Run winners. Pic by Eddy Xi Gong

The Santas created a sea of red as they raced from Pingle Field along Pingle Drive, Oxford Road, North Street, Sheep Street, Market Square, Manorsfield Road, St John’s Street, Queens Avenue, Kings End, Church Lane and Old Place Yard.

Runners were clapped and cheered by Sunday shoppers as they ran by and at the end of the course all runners were given a medal and a bacon roll.

The run was sponsored by Anytime Fitness, the Pioneer Square based gym, and all proceeds will be split between the Bicester mayor’s charities: ARCh Oxfordshire, assisted reading for children, The Countess of Jersey Educational Foundation, and 1st Bicester Intrepid Scout Group.

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Mayor Councillor Nicholas Mawer said: “I really enjoyed seeing the Santa Run today and judging by the clapping and cheering of residents so did everyone else. It was such a wonderful sight to see participants wearing Father Christmas costumes and racing around the town’s streets.

Bicester Advertiser: Bicester Santa Fun Run. Pic by Eddy Xi GongBicester Santa Fun Run. Pic by Eddy Xi Gong

“I would like to thank everyone who took part. This event helped to create a great atmosphere in the town and also raised money for my three charities. I would also like to thank everyone behind the scenes who helped ensure this event ran smoothly, including Bicester Town Council’s staff and the volunteer marshals.

"Finally a big thank you must go to this year’s sponsors Anytime Fitness and Tesco - without support from local businesses these type of events can’t take place.”

The festive fun run returned this year after skipping a year due to Covid-19 restrictions last Christmas.

Bicester Advertiser: Bicester Santa Fun Run. Pic by Eddy Xi GongBicester Santa Fun Run. Pic by Eddy Xi Gong

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Other Christmas events that have taken place this year in Bicester include the town council's first Christmas lights trail in Garth Park which was hailed a success by residents.

Visitors could walk around the grounds of which were alive with colour each evening for six days and the council’s headquarters, Garth House, were adorned with light, dancing snowflakes and festive messages.

Take a look at these pictures of the Santa fun run taken by Eddy Xi Gong:

Bicester Advertiser: Bicester Santa Fun Run. Pic by Eddy Xi Gong

Bicester Advertiser: Bicester Santa Fun Run. Pic by Eddy Xi Gong

Bicester Advertiser: Bicester Santa Fun Run. Pic by Eddy Xi Gong

Bicester Advertiser: Bicester Santa Fun Run. Pic by Eddy Xi Gong

Bicester Advertiser: Bicester Santa Fun Run. Pic by Eddy Xi Gong

Bicester Advertiser: Bicester Santa Fun Run. Pic by Eddy Xi Gong

Bicester Advertiser: Bicester Santa Fun Run. Pic by Eddy Xi Gong

Bicester Advertiser: Bicester Santa Fun Run. Pic by Eddy Xi Gong

Bicester Advertiser: Bicester Santa Fun Run. Pic by Eddy Xi Gong

Bicester Advertiser: Bicester Santa Fun Run. Pic by Eddy Xi Gong

Bicester Advertiser: Bicester Santa Fun Run. Pic by Eddy Xi Gong

Bicester Advertiser: Bicester Santa Fun Run. Pic by Eddy Xi Gong

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