Britain's biggest Santa dash turns Liverpool into a sea of red

Britain's biggest Santa dash took to the streets of Liverpool Sunday as thousands of men, women and children braved a rain storm wearing traditional Santa costumes.

Organisers are now nervously waiting to learn if the coveted Santaz title for the world's biggest Santa dash will be retained by the seaport city. The world record came to Liverpool last year after 8,846 Santas took the title from previous holder Las Vegas, which staged this year's Santa event on Saturday.

Santa red is the traditional color worn by the bringer of gifts on December 25, and it's also the color of Liverpool FC. Supporters of city premiership rivals Everton were allowed to wear blue Santa costumes for the event.

It was the 12th annual Medicash Santa Dash in Liverpool and the biggest, starting a five kilometer route at the waterfront Pier Head before heading on a route through downtown streets.

The rain failed to dampen the spirits, with thousands of pounds raised as a Christmas bonus for local organisations and charities. As well as attracting entrants from across Britain, the event also included Santas from a number of other countries including Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden and the Czech Republic.

Organisers BTR staged the first Liverpool Santa Dash in 2004 with 2,000 entries and it has grown every year since.

"We are now awaiting an announcement about whether we have retained the title," said a spokeswoman for organisers BTR. Endit