Three hundred Santa men and women participated in the Santa Run Dijk en Waard yesterday. On the Coolplein in Heerhugowaard, where the starting signal was given, a colorful collection of Santa Clauses warmed up to loud music. Then it was mayor Maarten Poorter who gave the starting shots for the participants of the various distances. “What a party! This is so Heerhugowaard.”
The first Santa Run was organized in 2015 by Rotary Dijk en Waard, but due to corona, Sunday was ‘only’ the fifth edition. In the afternoon the children took center stage with a warm-up and the Santa Kidsruns for two age categories. Then the starting signal was given for the adults. They could choose from the Santa Walk of 5 kilometers and the walking distances of 5 and 10 kilometers. Everyone was allowed to keep his or her suit and received a medal at the finish. There were prizes for all categories.
“It’s great how this is organized by the Rotary. And also for a good cause, so it’s really a great afternoon,” Mayor Poorter told media partner Streeksstad Centraal. Jim Tesselaar of the Rotary agrees. “The number of participants has almost doubled.” This gives them extra motivation to look forward to next year. In any case, they already have some Christmas suits ready for it. “We bought 650, so we already know that we will organize it again next year.”
Just like every year, the proceeds from the Santa Run go to charities. This time these are the foundations EHBO Heerhugowaard and Rocking Up X-mas. New first aid kits and gowns are being arranged for the First Aid Foundation. Rocking Up X-mas ensures that about a hundred vulnerable families in Dijk en Waard are surprised with a Christmas gift. That package includes a luxurious 3-course dinner for four people.