City will be full of Santas

Participants in last year's KidsCan Santa Fun Run. Photo / Supplied

Rotorua will have hundreds of Santas, elves and reindeer running around tomorrow.

Organisers of the Rotorua Great KidsCan Santa Run are expecting more than 200 entrants to the fundraiser for disadvantaged children.

It is being held for a third year in Rotorua and has been running nationally for five years. Event director Shaun Collins said entrants over 13 years old were provided with Santa suits to walk or run the course, which was about 2.5km long.

"We encourage people to get creative with their costumes and costume ideas.

"One year a group of people got together as Santa and his reindeer and tied themselves together for the run, it was fantastic," he said.

Participants will run, walk or even hop from Village Green at the Lakefront. KidsCan general manager marketing and fundraising Jan Clark said the event was designed so no training was required but there was also a competitive element, with a prize for the fastest man, woman, boy and girl.

Mr Collins said the event had increased in popularity.

"We had 100 people enter in the first year and 150 enter last year, so are hoping for about 200 this year and to grow from that.

"The event starts at 6.30pm, so people can head there after work.

"There is a bit of a group warm-up, everyone does a dance and then they are off."

Last year, the national event raised a total of $46,000, Mr Collins said.

Entry is $5 for under 5s, $10 for juniors, $23 for students, $28 for adults and $23 for senior citizens or $70 for a family.

Enter online by going to www.kidscan.org.nz.