Totton Santa Run: Hundreds brave the elements for fun run

The Met Office said it felt like minus six degrees in Totton but there were plenty of smiling Santas at Empire Hall to raise money for the 5th Testwood Scout group.

In total, 318 people raced through Library Road and up to Salisbury Road, Commercial Road and Testwood Lane, with the busy roads being closed on Sunday morning.

But as of Friday night, event organiser Craig Challis was concerned that the run might have had to be cancelled.

Cub leader Craig Challis has run the event for nine years. (Image: Newsquest) “We were worried but we were digitally checking the weather,” Craig said.

“It’s great to be here and at the end of the day, it’s no more windy than a Christmas Day after Brussel sprouts really.”

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The popular event has brought a sea of red to the community for the past nine years, with Craig saying that this year’s attendance of 318 being the highest they have had since the coronavirus pandemic.

Runners either followed the normal 2.5km path or ran the route twice to complete a 5km run.

Event organisers got the runners warmed up at 9.15am. (Image: Newsquest) All money raised went to the 5th Testwood Scouts group.

Craig added: “Our hall was built in the 1970s and slowly but surely we’re fixing it up.

"We’ve got a leaky roof and there’s other ambitious projects that money raised will go towards.”

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The Santa run was a good chance for families to get active, and Katy Gilligan ran with her children to help son Ollie get used to running again.

Katy Gilligan, Mila-Rose Gilligan, Ollie Gilligan and Adam Garnett joined the run as a family. (Image: Newsquest) Katy said: “Ollie’s had his legs in casts for seven weeks because when he walks he tiptoes, so he’s getting the legs going again and my daughter Mila-Rose loves running too.”

There were plenty of pups involved too, such as Desiree and Demi Bratcher’s dog Kiwi.

Demi and Desiree Bratcher brought their dog Kimi to the fun run. (Image: Newsquest) Kevin Hare, Chloe Archer and Jess Hood all ran together, with Jess explaining that it was "a good laugh" and Kevin arguing that it was all Chloe’s idea to have a morning out together.

Kevin Hare, Chloe Archer and Jess Hood all ran together for 'a good laugh.' (Image: Newsquest) A Christmas fayre was held inside Empire Hall during the run.

This helped to keep supporters warm as they waited for their Santas to pass the final line.

One stallholder, who wished to remain unnamed, said it was "great to bring people into the hall" and "offer an alternative to the running."