Santa Sprint: Santa Fun Run at Darling Harbour this weekend

A horde of athletes and families will run through Darling Harbour dressed up as bearded and jolly Greek bishops this Sunday, November 27.

Its Variety’s third annual Santa Fun Run and this year it should see over 2000 participants hoping to raise over $100 000 for disadvantaged kids across Australia.

This year’s runners will be hoping for a less sweaty journey with the redesign of the famous red and white costume to better suit the humid Australian summer.

Jill Linzh, a 33-year-old participant said because of the new shorts and cotton design she was no longer afraid of racing in the Sydney heat.

“It’s an all cotton Aussie Santa suit so I think it’s pretty suitable for Aussie Christmas.”

The new outfit is one of the reasons Ms Linzh is feeling confident about her chances at scooping the first prize, amongst her family that is.

After running in the event last year, she said it was an exciting experience and she would bring her family to this one.
Ms Linzh said her family will total 20 participants. “Well I’m going to win obviously,” she said with a laugh.

“There’s going to be six kids so I don’t know how it will go when we all run.”

It won’t be all chaos and games for some of the participants who have a special connection to the day’s events.
Keegan O’Chee, a recipient of Variety’s help, will be racing in his wheelchair.

The charity has sponsored him and encouraged his great sporting ability, taking him to wheelchair basketball and tennis tournaments.

Variety spends over $1 million each month in support of special needs children all over Australia but many more require special attention.

Ms Linzh said doing events like the Santa Fun Run is important because it adds fun to charity donation, especially when not everyone is in the position to give on a monthly basis.

“This kind of event is great because everyone can get involved,” she said.

Events and Development Manager at Variety, Brooke Taylor said everyone is getting involved with people of all ages having already signed up.

“We have a six month old baby running… the oldest is 73,” she said.

“There are a lot of prams and some families even bring their dogs along.”

Ms Taylor said she was disappointed to be stuck behind a desk this year and would like to participate.

“I would like to do it. The last two years I’ve worked and it would be nice to get involved in the spirit.”

Although Variety is only looking at around 2000-3000 runners today, it hopes to one day break the record for biggest Santa Run which is currently held by Portugal with 14,000 Santas.