ON your marks, get set, ho ho ho!

Scores of Santas pulled on their trainers and braved the snow and ice to compete in a very festive fundraising fun run.

Nearly 150 runners of all ages donned red Father Christmas suits to complete the 5km run for Naomi House children’s hospice near Winchester.

Competitors of all abilities ran, jogged and walked the course around Winchester Rugby Club and the city’s North Walls Recreation Ground.

Organisers hope the event, which was being run for the second time, could raise more than £10,000 for the Sutton Scotney hospice, which has just opened a new section, jacksplace-@ naomihouse, designed to cater for young people aged 14 to 26.

The race was started by Winchester and Chandler’s Ford MP Steve Brine. He said: “You never need much convincing to come out and support Naomi House.”

Verity Groom, events assistant at Naomi House, said the Santa Run is becoming an important fixture on the fundraising calendar.

She said: “Everybody seems to have had fun, and we’re probably going to raise more than last year. We’re hoping it’s going to keep getting bigger and bigger.”

One of those taking part was Phil Blake. The 52-year-old, from Chandler’s Ford, said: “It was very cold, but I’ve got my thermals on and I managed to survive.

“I’ve got a bad leg so I had to walk it. I’ve got friends who’ve got an involvement with Naomi House.