A DAD showed his teenage son – and hundreds of other Santas – a clean pair of heels in a festive fun run.

About 470 people, donning traditional red and white suits, braved the windy weather for the annual fundraising event at Pingle Field, Bicester, yesterday.

For the third year running, Richard Gould crossed the finishing line of the 5km Santa Fun Run first, beating his 16-year-old son Tom into second place.

Afterwards, the 44-year-old athletics club coach, from Langford Village said: “The trophy will be lovely to have on the mantelpiece over Christmas. Eventually I will be chasing Tom – he is clearly getting quicker.”

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Tom, a pupil at The Cooper School in Bicester, said he hoped he could beat his father in next year’s run, winning back the title he won in 2012.

He added: “I’m getting closer and closer to my dad.”

Sponsorship money raised by competitors in the Santa Fun Run will go to Bicester town mayor Jim French’s chosen charities – family support organisation HomeStart, 2507 (Bicester) Squadron ATC, and the Hummingbird Centre, which supports local cancer sufferers and their families.

Mr French said: “It’s the first time I have been involved with the run. I enjoyed being part of it. I was quite surprised by the number of people taking part.

“It was nice to see so many people and they all got off to a great start.

“We were lucky this year; the weather was very good apart from the cold wind.

“This event is important because it brings the community together.”

About 60 volunteers began setting up at about 8am, with the race beginning at 11am.

The running Santas first darted around Pingle Field before heading towards Market Square and Launton Road. They then hurried along Longfields and Withington Road before heading back towards Market Square and Manorsfield Road, then past Bicester Fire Station and back to Pingle Field.

At the finish, all runners received a bacon sandwich and a medal.

Oxford Brookes University systems manager Barney Webb tackled the fun run with wife Teresa, 30, and eight-month-old son Eddie.

The 31-year-old, of Cypress Gardens, said: “We just thought it would be something fun to do at Christmas and we could bring Eddie along for his first run.”

Project co-ordinator Mrs Webb, who is on maternity leave, added: “Barney does a lot of assault courses so it’s nice to join him.”