Left your sleighs at home? Fun runners don Father Christmas’s traditional red and white outfit to brave Storm Darragh and complete London Santa Run

By GEMMA PARRY[1]

Published: 18:05, 7 December 2024 | Updated: 18:44, 7 December 2024

Fun runners donned Father Christmas[2] outfits and braved Storm Darragh on Saturday to complete a 10k course through central London[3].

The Scrambled Legs Running Club dressed in their best festive gear to take part in the run in a now annual tradition of the club, which boasts over 13,000 members worldwide.

The club meets every Saturday at new points throughout the city to complete routes ranging between 20 to 30k.

Elsewhere, runners also dressed in Christmas themed outfits to take part in a similar races through Battersea Park.

Runners undertook either a 5k or 10k run to raise money for Forward Trust, which works to help people who have addictions or have served time in prison to make positive change within their lives.

Images from both runs show participants looking cheerful, despite the grim backdrop of Storm Darragh.

Runners dressed in Christmas themed outfits stretched ahead of the race through Battersea Park

People dressed in their best Christmas gear to take part in either a 5k or 10k run through Battersea Park on Saturday afternoon

Members of the Scrambled Legs Running Club took to the capital to run a 10k route dressed, all dressed up as Father Christmas

The run has become a tradition of the club, which boasts more than 13,000 members worldwide

The runners were cheerful throughout the run, despite the wet and windy weather

Many runners turned up to take part in the 10k run despite the forecast of Storm Darragh

The club gathered together at the Queen Victoria Memorial to have a group photograph ahead of their run

People were pictured wearing red and white and Santa hats as they ran through the streets

Club members also got out their mobile phones to record the sight of hundreds of Santa's running down the Mall

People were pictured preparing to take part in their own festive run at Battersea Park

Some runners opted to dress up for the races through the park which included a 5k or 10k run

Participants were running to raise money for Forward Trust, which works to help people who have addictions or have served time in prison to make positive change within their lives

People who took part were in good spirits throughout the run, clearly enjoying the festive atmosphere

Some wore their own Santa hats to mark the upcoming festive holiday

Despite the wet and windy weather, everyone seemed to be feeling positive during the race

Some donned Santa hats, while others wore other festive gear including elf hats and baubles

The storm has caused carnage across the UK today with millions warned to stay indoors, with football matches and other events cancelled, including a Premier League[4] match between Liverpool and Everton which was cancelled due to safety fears.

Gusts of up to 93mph recorded in Capel Curig in North Wales, while wind speeds of 72-78mph were recorded along the coasts of Wales and Northern Ireland.

Amber and yellow warnings remain in place as the bad weather is expected to continue overnight and into tomorrow.

The storm claimed its first victim earlier today after a tree smashed into a van on a dual carriageway. [5]

The man, who was in his 40s, driving on the A59 at Longton near to Lancashire Police[6]'s Headquarters when the horror accident occurred.

Christmas markets in towns such as Romsey, Hampshire; Taunton, Somerset; and Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire were cancelled due to the forecast.

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park also closed[7] its array of fairground rides, an ice kingdom and a Christmas market on Saturday because of 'high winds'.

Elsewhere, the start of Bolton's 'Put Big Light On' lights festival was postponed, and an ice sculpture trail in Darlington was also put back by a week.

HOW TO STAY SAFE IN STORM DARRAGH

Have the national 105 emergency helpline on hand - it's best to keep this on the fridge or saved in the contacts on your mobile phone.

Store a battery or wind-up torch - leave this somewhere you can access easily so you can use the torch to check on the fuse box and make your way around the house safely.

Beware of fallen power lines - power lines may have fallen because of heavy snow so beware of this when venturing out of your home.

Do not approach, and call 105 to report a fallen power line

Keep your mobile charged - having your mobile phone charged means you can call the national 105 emergency helpline.

It's also worth having an analogue phone as this doesn't run off the main electricity supply.

Keep the heat in - if your power does go out, your heating might not work so keep extra blankets nearby and close window shutters, blinds or curtains to help keep the heat in.

Join the free Priority Services Register - if electricity is crucial to your health (for instance, if you use medical equipment at home), if you have a child aged five or under, or if you just feel you need a little extra help, ask to be included

Source: SP Energy Network

References

1. ^ GEMMA PARRY (www.dailymail.co.uk)
2. ^ Christmas (www.dailymail.co.uk)
3. ^ London (www.dailymail.co.uk)
4. ^ Premier League (www.dailymail.co.uk)
5. ^ The storm claimed its first victim earlier today after a tree smashed into a van on a dual carriageway. (www.dailymail.co.uk)
6. ^ Lancashire Police (www.dailymail.co.uk)
7. ^ Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park also closed (www.dailymail.co.uk)