CHRISTMAS will come early as a sea of Santas descends on the National Water Sports Centre to raise cash for charity.
Up to 1,000 people dressed in red and white are expected to take part in the 5km Nottingham Santa Run on Saturday, December 1.
The event – being held for the first time – will raise money for Cancer Research UK.
Rebecca Elphick, area volunteer manager for the charity, said: "It's going to be an event not to be missed.
"It's in a great, festive setting and it's a huge boost to our work.
"It's thanks to our supporters in Nottingham and around the country that we can fund our important work.
"The Santa Run will be a really fun event at a time of year when families get together.
"Thanks to the money raised from this event it will have a real impact on keeping more families together in the future."
Every day, around 65 people are diagnosed with cancer in the East Midlands.
Cancer Research UK spent more than £1 million last year in Nottingham on some of the UK's leading scientific and clinical research.
Paul Wadsworth, spokesman for Cancer Research UK in Nottingham, said: "Thanks to the incredible progress that's been made in the past 40 years, more people are surviving than ever before.
"But there's still so much more to do.
"It's not just technology or knowledge that we need to win our fight to beat cancer – it's funding.
"Events like the Nottingham Santa Run will help raise these funds.
"We are entering a 'golden age' of cancer research and every pound we raise takes us a step closer to achieving our goal to beat cancer.
"By boosting funding right now, the best research teams will be able to develop new treatments, bring cures faster and save more lives," he added.
Runners will be given the option to make an on-the-spot donation to Cancer Research UK at the start of the race or can arrange sponsorship.
One Step Beyond are the promotions company running the event and have organised a number of other events, raising more than £150,000 for the charity.
Adam Moffat, director of the company, said: "Cancer Research UK is our charity partner for everything we do.
"We're hoping to get at least 500 people but have initial capacity for 1,000."
He added: "The charity is important to us as a business and it's personally a charity I care about."
Entry costs £15 for adults and £10 for children under 16 and includes a Santa suit.
To enter or find more information about the event, visit www.onestepbeyond.org.uk/ cancer-research-uk-santa-run- 2012.php.
Are you running in the Nottingham Santa Run?
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