Here comes Santa Claus – the Stockholm Santa Run 2018

Jogging past the Swedish Parliament in the Stockholm Santa Run 2018

As the tradition goes there is only one Santa Claus, but last weekend in Stockholm hundreds of people dressed up as the legendary gift-giver for the annual Santa Run.

Men, women, children, babies, dogs and even a rabbit donned red and white costumes to take part in the three kilometre charity run in the centre of Sweden’s capital city.

Getting ready for the 2018 Santa Fun Run

A dog running in the 2018 Santa Fun Run

Getting ready for the 2018 Santa Fun Run

Race marshals getting ready for the 2018 Santa Fun Run

Getting ready for the 2018 Santa Fun Run

Getting ready for the 2018 Santa Fun Run

Bunny rabbit nibbling on a pre-race carrot at the 2018 Santa Fun Run

Just about to start the 2018 Santa Fun Run

The 2018 Stockholm Santa Fun Run passing through Gamla Stan

In addition to spreading a little Christmas cheer, the event also raises money for charity. This year the charities are Aktivisfonden, Naturskyddsföreningen and Operation Smile.

People are then invited to walk, run, hop,or even skip the route which starts and ends in Kungsträgården, via the old town (Gamla Stan), the Parliament (Riksdagshuset) and the Royal Palace (Kungliga slottet).

Ali, Mark, Lottie, Leon and Frida joined approximately 1,500 people for the festive fun.

Alil Mark, Lottie, Leon and Frida getting ready for the 2018 Stockholm Santa Run

Frida at the 2018 Stockholm Santa Run

Lottie at the 2018 Stockholm Santa Run

Leon at the 2018 Stockholm Santa Run

Lottie, Leon , Mark and Frida running past the Swedish Parliament in the 2018 Stockholm Santa Run

Getting ready for the 2018 Stockholm Santa Run

Santa Run selfie

My Stockholm Santa Run 2018 medal