After beating Las Vegas to win the World Santa Challenge last year, thousands of red and blue Father Christmas runners ignored the bad weather to try to defend the Santa Dash title for Liverpool.

The official numbers are yet to be counted, but an estimated 7,000 people filled the streets in the city centre to run the annual 5km race. Las Vegas held their Santa Dash yesterday, so the announcement of this year's official winner is not far away.

The money from the Liverpool Santa

Dash, which started at the Pier Head

in front of the Liver Building and

finished next to the Town Hall, goes

to various charities, such as Liverpool

Unites.

Despite the shifting weather, the spirit

was seemingly good between the

runners. Men and women, boys and

girls, and even dogs, completed the

eighth Liverpool Santa Dash.

After the race was over, a mini-dash for

children aged under 12 was held in

Castle Street.

Although most Everton fans participated

in blue Santa suits, there were a few

exceptions running as the usual red

Father Christmas.

Blues supporter Andy Smith, from Liverpool, said: "My daughter dropped out so I'm a last minute contender. I'm a fanatic Evertonian, but there was not enough time to sort out a blue suit. I really enjoyed it though. It was quite hard as I'm not in the best shape, but it was worth it. It's all about the charity."