In pictures: Gloucester Santa Fun Run 2025
A record-breaking turnout has taken place in the city for Christmas
by Will Luker and Nina Connell
Dear readers - if you have not done so already, do check out the latest weekend briefing for the latest news from across Gloucestershire. The link is below
The Shire News is also delighted to be working with journalism students from the University of Gloucestershire to give them some experience of reporting on events and news. We begin with the piece below and a huge thanks to Nina Connell for giving us a helping hand with interviews, pictures and video from the 2025 Gloucester Santa Fun Run.
“To me this is probably the start of Christmas”
Over 900 Santas have run the streets of Gloucester in what has been a record-breaking annual fun run. The city’s gate streets, Kings Square and outside the cathedral were filled with red and white fancy dress costumes, plus many elves, gingerbread men, a Grinch and plenty of dogs dressed up too.
Runners could take part in a 1km or 5km route to raise money. All the profits go to the Rotary Club of Gloucester’s Chairites and Community Awards. More than £7,000 was raised, which is the largest amount since the event was launched in 2017.
Matt Cass, who founded the fun run as part of the Rotary Club is delighted with the turnout. He said:
“To me this is probably the start of Christmas. Everybody has made a great effort and have dressed up in so many whacky costumes, inflatable turkey’s, snowmen, you name it! Everybody is having a great bit of fun, I’m pleased with the turnout and it is just a great event every year.”
A warmup routine before the run got underway was carried out by Clare Freeman from Zigs Exercise Classes and Canon Nikki Arthy from St Mary de Crypt Church blessed the crowds to mark the festive season.
Clare said:
“I’ve been involved for the last few years and it has grown and grown. The atmosphere is always great, it’s fantastic fun and fantastic to get everyone warmed up and ready to run!”
One participant taking part is Nick Wood, who ran his fifth Santa Fun Run in the city, dressed up as a snowman. Nick said:
“I love the atmosphere. I’ve come as an elf, I’ve come as Santa, I’ve come dressed in a quick Christmas suit and the past two years I’ve done the snowman which has gone down well with the kids and you get a lot of high fives and it’s just nice.”
Below is a selection of images from Gloucester Santa Fun Run 2025.
