500 runners of all ages took part in the Monmouth Santa Fun Run, organised by Spirit of Monmouth Running Club, on Sunday, December 4th, which was the biggest ever turnout for the event. Many participants were wearing festive fancy dress.

Following a group warm-up, the run started at 10am on the Monnow Bridge. The 2.1km route took the runners up the high street, towards Osbaston, across Vauxhall fields and back to Monnow Bridge.

The first runner home - winner of the 1st Male Santa prize – was Sam Jones, who completed the route in nine minutes. The 1st Female Santa was Angela Jones. 1st Girl Santa was Maddie Taylor, aged 14. 1st Boy Santa was Dominic Davies, aged 10. The winning Team of Santas was Family Christ-Nash and the Best-Dressed Santa was Katie Mapp.

This year, proceeds from the event will be donated to Meeting the Needs, the charity of Class 9, Special Needs Unit at Overmonnow Primary School. Monies raised through race entry fees totalled £1,429 and £1,000 of this will be kindly matched by Barclays Bank, bringing the total amount raised for Class 9 to £2,429.