Storming Santas defy strong winds for running fundraiser

MORE than 200 people braved this year’s Henley Santa fun run despite strong winds from Storm Darragh.

Families, including babies in prams, dressed in their best festive outfits and hats, including Christmas jumpers, elf costumes, Father Christmas beards, elf costumes and reindeer onesies on Sunday.

About six dogs were also brought along, including one unruly cocker spaniel, Rufus, who jumped in the river during the course and had to be dragged out by owner Brian Walmsley.

The event, which started and finished at Leander Club and is in its 10th year, was organised by town councillors Stefan Gawrysiak, Michelle Thomas, Laurence Plant, Sarah Miller and Mayor Rory Hunt.

Many participants skipped the usual warm-up of jogging on the spot and star jumps, deciding to set off straight away because of the cold and windy conditions.

The run was started at 10am by Cllrs Plant and Hunt and runners set off from the club along the Thames Path before they looped back around for either the 1km or 4km route. About three children led the race from the start line and the runners were cheered on by friends and family and Henley councillors, who congratulated them as they crossed the finish line.

More than £1,200 was raised for the mayor’s charity fund, supporting Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and Bluebells Day Centre in Henley.

After the race, mince pies and hot chocolate was served to runners by Cllr Hunt’s mother Lindsay, Catherine Notaras and Cllr Thomas. The first to finish was Alex Lamacraft, 15, from Shiplake, who was taking part in the fun run for the third time and had won it last year.

Alex said: “I’m pretty happy about winning. It was a really good fun run. The conditions were bad as the wind made it hard work on the first part and it was freezing cold.

“The trickiest part of the course was the first straight because it went right into the wind. The conditions gave me more motivation to do it.”

In second place was Charlie Craig, of Mill Road in Shiplake, who is a member of Henley Triathlon Club. The 13-year-old, who attends Shiplake College, said: “I felt good about coming second but it was very tiring. The wind was very hard but on the way back, it was very easy to run with. I like trying my best and I also enjoyed the fun of everyone’s costumes.”

The best costumes were decided by the councillors.

The prize for the best-dressed female went to Kate Courtney-Taylor, 44, an artist from Marlow, who was given a box of Quality Street.

She spent the evening before the event crafting together her costume, a wearable decorated Christmas tree made from two hula hoops and tinsel.

Ms Courtney-Taylor ran with her partner Gordon Daley and two daughters. She said: “This is the first time I’ve done the Santa fun run in Henley and to be rewarded in the cold and the rain is all the honour that I need today.

“It was a little bit hard running in this outfit, especially against the wind, my branches were not very aerodynamic so that was a bit tricky. I’ll definitely be back to run it again. We did the fun run to support Rupert House School.”

The award for the best-dressed family went to Rosie and Richard Locke, both 39, of Greys Road and their children Dorothy, eight, Jasper, three and Juno, six. They all dressed as elves besides Mr Locke who came as a reindeer with an antler headband and onesie. They were given a voucher for a Sunday lunch at the Argyll pub in Market Place.

Mr Walmsley ran with his friend Adam Holden, both from Henley, and said he was relieved he didn’t have to jump in the river to rescue Rufus after he dived in the Thames at Leander Club.

He said: “Fortunately, I didn’t have to swim it. I had to yank him by his collar. He needs a bath now because he’s got the Thames now wrapped around him but he absolutely loved it and being part of it with us.”

Mr Walmsley said: “It was horrible running into the wind but actually really easy going the other way so it was 50/50. Overall, it was a lovely spirit and everyone had fun. Adam loved it so much he went around the course for a fourth time, which is very impressive. We go running anyway so we like to get involved.”

Cllr Hunt said: “Given the weather, it has been a fantastic turnout. I’m pleased that we were able to put it on at all, given the high winds and flooding and a lot of other events have been cancelled so I’m grateful for everybody coming down.”