ALMOST 2,000 Santas ran a 5km circuit of Skipton last year - together raising a magnificent £38,000 for charity.

Last year’s Great Santa Fun Run saw 1,849 men, women and children take part in the circular race from the High Street. For the first time, the event coincided with the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights, organised by the town council, and supported by Skipton BID, which attracted around 15,000 people to the town.

It also saw one couple, Wendy Lawson and Alex Griffith make a short diversion from the race to get married.

Run organisers, the Skipton Craven Rotary Club, will hand out the proceeds of the race to charities including Manorlands Hospice and Yorkshire Cancer Research at a special presentation evening due to take place next month at Skipton Golf Club.

Meanwhile, planning for this year’s event, due to take place on Sunday, November 24, are already well underway with Rotarians hoping this year will be the one that sees more than 2,000 signing up, putting on the red suits and running for charity.

A spokesman for Skipton Craven Rotary Club said: “We would like to give a huge thank you to all participants, spectators, sponsors and supporters that made last year’s event a massive success yet again, We will be working closely with Skipton Town Council and Skipton BID to make the 2019 Fun Run an even better experience for both participant and spectator alike. “

This year’s event on November 24 will once again start and finish in Skipton High Street, following positive feedback from last year’s race.

To keep up to date about the fun run, including how to enter, from May, visit:skiptonsantafunrun.com.