THERE will be two special entrants taking part in this year’s Skipton Santa Fun Run, one of whom will be changing her name half way through the course.

Wendy Lawson and her intended, Alex Griffin, both from Ingleton, have chosen November 25 - Alex’s birthday - as the day they tie the knot and it just happens to fall on the day of the fun run which Wendy enjoys taking part in.

That same evening the Christmas lights are switched on in Skipton.

Wendy, who works for Skipton Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said she and Alex were very excited at the prospect of getting married part way through the fun run, organised by Skipton Craven Rotary Club, and sharing the day with everyone.

She said: “I have taken part in several Skipton Santa Fun Runs in the past. This one is extra special, as I start the run/walk as Wendy Lawson and finish it as Wendy Griffin - after a slight detour from the canal path to Skipton Registry Office.”

The couple are also getting married in their Santa outfits, though Wendy’s will have a little extra bling than usual.

“We are very excited. We always wanted to get married on one of our birthdays and when I found out Alex’s birthday coincided with the Santa Fun Run and the Skipton Christmas Lights switch-on it made sense to go for that day.

“As soon as we learned that getting married on a Sunday and having a blessing on the Sunday at Holy Trinity Church was do-able, that was it.

“We can’t wait to share our day with everyone but I am also conscious that the fun run is a charity event and I don’t want it to look as though we’re hijacking it!

“We want to share the celebration of our love, our union, our day with as many people as possible. The Santa Fun Run will start our day at 11am - Skipton Christmas lights switch on at 5.30pm will highlight it, complete with our wedding at the registry office and blessing at 4pm in Holy Trinity Church.

Wendy, who has worked for the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and Giggleswick School, is being given away by her son, Will, 19.