Red leisurewear with white fur trim was all the rage in Dunedin last night.
Race manager David Crewe, of Brighton Sea Scouts, said about 110 people and three dogs dressed as Santa for the Great KidsCan Santa Run.
The Santas, ranging from toddlers to pensioners, assembled at John Wilson Ocean Dr in St Kilda to stretch and do star jumps before roaring a united "Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas" and running 3km.
The weather was cooler than last year, when a heat wave had some overdressed Santas nearly fainting, Mr Crewe said.
"You don’t do things like this in Scotland — it’s good to raise money and have a laugh."
Jack Dummer said he and daughter Evie (7) had competed in the race twice before but it was the first time his wife, Alice, son Stan (4) and daughter Flo (2) had taken part.
"We dragged the rest of the family along because it’s been good fun each year."
Santa runs were due to be held at 19 places in New Zealand between yesterday and Saturday.
