A junior Santa outsprinted hundreds of runners in an annual festive fun run in Inverness.
Cauldeen Primary pupil Euan Rollo was first over the line yesterday afternoon in the 5km race in a hugely impressive 19 minutes – despite being just 10-years-old.
The Santa Run, organised by the WildHearts charity, attracted 340 runners donning their Father Christmas outfits from across the Highlands and further afield, with entrants travelling from Renfrewshire and Aberdeen to take part.
The race follows a route along the River Ness, starting at Bught Road and finishing at Inverness Leisure Centre
Almost a third of this year’s entries were under 13s – while some runners took part with their pets and decorated prams in tow.
Youngster Euan was the overall winner, while fastest adult Kurt Bergman, 34, from Culloden was second on 20 minutes.
Natasha Niven, 25, from Conon Bridge, was the fastest woman on 25 minutes, while Rachel Earle, 11, also a Cauldeen Primary pupil, was fastest girl on the same time.
For many of the participants, however, the event was more than a race; it was a chance to get fit and festive with friends, family or colleagues and raise funds for a great cause.
Event organisers hope to raise thousands of pounds to provide enterprise education in schools across the north of Scotland and help people in poverty in the developing world.
WildHearts director Carys Petrie, from Culloden, said: “The WildHearts Santa Run is our favourite event of the year and the perfect way to kick off the festive season.
“We’ve had a fantastic day with our Santas and loved seeing so many local schools, businesses and families taking part.
“Everyone completely went for it, customising their Santa Suits, decorating prams and even dressing up their dogs!
“Everyone has been incredibly generous too and we can’t wait to update them with stories and case studies from the projects they will help WildHearts fund.”
Next Sunday, WildHearts will be holding a Santa Run at Pittodrie Stadium in Aberdeen.
Anyone who wants to register for the Aberdeen event can do so on the charity’s website at www.wild heartsinaction.org