Read this account of the Santa Run, which Tom Hunter intends to include in his forthcoming book, The Tom Hunter Guide to Fun, Feasts and Festivals:

Do you believe in Santa Claus? I do. No doubt that sounds strange coming from a grown man, so let me explain. I'm afraid I don't believe any more in a man who rides through the sky and brings presents down a chimney. In fact my first crisis of faith occurred when I was six, when I noticed that the Santa Claus (or Father Christmas) who sat children in his lap to be photographed in the supermarket was too fat to get down our chimney. My suspicions were confirmed when I actually saw him take off his suit and beard, at which point I recognised the man who normally worked behind the meat counter. Being an incurable optimist, though, I recovered my belief in Father Christmas a few years later, simply by deciding that he was a symbol. To me he represents hope, joy and goodness. No doubt you'll say that I'm confusing him with Jesus, and that Father Christmas these days is just a means to keep our consumer society in good shape. Well, yes, but the sight of that red suit still triggers in me all sorts of positive feelings, and not just at Christmas time. In fact whenever I'm upset or depressed, or whenever I think that the world is in a terrible mess which is only getting worse, I simply imagine Father Christmas and it makes me feel better. I'm not suggesting we should all do this - it's just one way I have of coping with the stress of everyday life - but I do think positive thinking can help to make the world a better place.

So just imagine how delighted I was when I went to Newtown, Wales, last December and joined a crowd of 4000 Santas who had come from all over the world to run through the streets of the town. The road was filled with red as far back as I could see. It was wonderful!

In fact this gathering of Santas is fast becoming an annual event in this part of Wales. Every December thousands of Santas from across the world flood into Newtown, packing themselves into the high street, all with the aim of raising some money for charity.

The Santa run was only 4.5 miles, out of town and back, with an optional stop at a pub for those who needed a bit of liquid refreshment to keep them going. That's not a long way to run, and on the whole, I keep myself fairly fit, but a thick red suit and a beard is definitely not an outfit I'd recommend if you want to go for a jog! You may think Wales in December is hardly the hottest place on earth - and you'd be right - but just try joining the Santa run! By the time I finished I was pouring with sweat and my beard was falling to bits. But I enjoyed it immensely, had a great meal at the pub during which I made friends with lots of other Santas, and raised a decent amount of money for charity. And the sight of so many Father Christmases topped up my optimism for weeks to come!