HUNDREDS donned Father Christmas outfits for a festive-themed annual fun run in Bicester.

A total of 420 people took on the 2.5-mile Santa Fun Run from Pingle Field around the town.

Bicester resident Richard Gould was the first to finish the Bicester Town Council event, in its fifth year, in 14mins 14secs.

The 42-year-old picture framer, who won last year, said: “My 15-year-old son Tom came first two years ago but couldn’t make it today. He told me to bring it home for the Goulds, and luckily I did.”

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Mr Gould trains young people at Bicester Athletics Club, and the club’s Fergus Jones, 13, of Bicester, came in third.

Mr Gould said: “Some of the kids are brilliantly fast, they’ll be beating me soon enough.”

Money raised by runners through sponsorship will go to the Army Benevolent Fund, Hummingbird Cancer Support and Therapy Centre and The League of Friends of Bicester Community Hospital.

Mayor of Bicester Lynn Pratt said: “The event has really taken off.”

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