Society

Madrid Santa race draws thousands

December 9, 2018

Christmas has come early to the streets of the Spanish capital in the form of thousands of Santa Clauses. But these Saint Nicks were unusually athletic — and weren't out and about delivering presents.

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Santa Clauses and green elves on the streets of Madrid — Image: Reuters/P. Hanna

More than 7,000 Santa Clauses ran through central Madrid on Sunday in an annual charity race held to raise money for a cancer-care charity.

A number of children dressed as green elves also participated in the event, which took place over a 5-kilometer (3-mile) course along the Paseo de la Castellana avenue.

Organizers describe the race as the largest of its kind in the world, the Reuters news agency said.

A portion of the entry fee paid by each runner will go to the nonprofit organization Fundacion Intheos, which supports projects in the field of advanced cancer care and research.

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