Hundreds of 'Santas' run 5K race for Hamilton Food Share

On Dasher, on Dancer, on Runner and Sprinter!

The 2022 Santa 5K race brought 500 running Santas to Hamilton's harbourfront.

The Sunday charity race raised money and food donations for Hamilton Food Share, a non-profit that works with Hamilton's food bank system.

Kelly Arnott, race director with VR Pro, the company that puts on the Santa 5K, said they were able to raise about $1,500 and 600 food items for Hamilton Food Share at this year's race.

Arnott said this year was particularly festive from Sunday morning's surprise snowfall.

"At one point weheard it may rain, so we were so happy that it was snow," Arnott said.

Jessey Elf, a Christmas-loving triathlete from Waterdown, won the Santa 5K. Elf is a unique Santa 5K runner he is a year-round Christmas lover who has had his ears surgically pointed to be more elf-like and legally changed his name to Jessey the Elf.

"I just grew up loving Christmas and especially the elves and Santa, so I just wanted to become an elf," he said.

"When it comes to this time of year, I really get into it and the Santa 5K is always a highlight," he said, adding that the snow this year made it extra festive, but didn't make it more difficult to run.

"The course was actually pretty good, like the trail that it was on was just a little bit wet," he said.

Elf said he would have liked to run the race in one of his elf costumes, but for this race, he said he's OK with dressing up like Santa.

"It's fair for everyone because the costume is actually kind of bulky and hard to run in, but that's part of it," he said.

And the most important part of the race, said Elf, is supporting Hamilton Food Share.

"The food banks, they're in very high demand, but they're trying to keep up with that demand. So bringing food items and then also having the run donate towards that charity is very important for a lot of familiesin the area," he said.

Elf will be running VR Pro's next Santa 5K run in Niagara-on-the-Lake on Dec. 18.