HIGH winds and driving rain was not enough to dampen the spirit of jolly old Saint Nick, or more than 80 Santa Clauses, to be specific.

Super Santas braved the freezing weather to take part in the first ever Festive Fun Run for the Pelican Cancer Foundation at the War Memorial Park on Sunday, 10 December.

More than £6,500 has been raised from the event so far and all the proceeds will fund Pelican’s clinical research into advancing precision surgery in the treatment of bowel, liver, bladder and prostate cancers.

Presenter Andy Green kept the festive spirits high with feel-good tunes and plenty of Yuletide fun as participants ran around a 5km or 10 km course after a warm-up by Cormac Lisle-Fenwick from Fitness First.

Mayor and mayoress of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillors Paul and Jane Frankum, were on hand to give out medals as a sea of red and white crossed the finish line.

Cllr Paul Frankum said: “Despite the awful weather, we saw so many warm smiles and a sense of achievement as each person went past the finish line.”

Volunteers from Basingstoke Deane Rotary acted as marshals throughout the course, as visitors cheered on the participants.

Sarah Crane, chief executive at Pelican Cancer Foundation, said: “We are delighted to have received such fantastic support from the local community for Pelican’s first festive fun run.

“People of all ages turned out in the rain and mud to support us – they made a spectacular sight running in their Santa suits and certainly put the fun into fundraising. Our thanks to all involved – their support will make a real difference to local people being treated for ‘below the belt’ cancers.”