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

Hamilton's yearly Santa 5K run brought over 500 runners in Santa suits to Hamilton Harbour. This year, the winner of the full 5K was Jessey the Elf, a year-round Christmas lover and runner.

The 5 km run raised $1,500 and 600 food items for Hamilton Food Share

Cara Nickerson · CBC News ·
A snowy 5K race starting line with a large group of people dressed as Santa Claus
Over 500 runners decked out in Santa suits ran the yearly Santa 5K around Hamilton Harbour on Sunday. (Robert Krbavac/CBC)

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. 

A woman in a black winter jacket smiles and holds a donation jar. Behind her, people in Santa and elf costumes are walking around.
Kristina De Marzio, communications director for Hamilton Food Share, was at the race collecting donations. (Robert Krbavac/CBC)
A smiling woman in a Santa suit on a snowy day.
Kelly Arnott, one of the race's organizers, wore her own Santa suit on race day. ( Robert Krbavac/CBC)

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

"At one point we heard 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. 

The starting line of the race with snow covered inflatables
Runner Jessey the Elf said the Santa 5K has "a finish line like no other", with dozens of Christmassy inflatables welcoming the runners to the end of the race. ( Robert Krbavac/CBC)
A smiling man in a Santa costume with a trophy for winning the 5k.
Jessey the Elf, a year-round Christmas lover and triathlete, won the 2022 Santa 5K. ( Robert Krbavac/CBC)

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 families in the area," he said. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cara Nickerson

Cara Nickerson is a journalist with the CBC's Ontario local news stations, primarily CBC Hamilton. She previously worked with Hamilton Community News. Cara has a special interest in stories that focus on social issues and community.

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