DOZENS of Wee County athletes took part in the Dollar Santa Fun Run over the weekend, with organisers hopeful of it becoming an annual fixture.

More than 80 runners took part in the fundraiser, with participants dressing up as Father Christmas to match the festive theme.

Organisers reported that around £800 has now been raised which will go toward the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

The fun run was organised by Louise Dewar in preparation for her participation in the London Marathon next year and her friend Emily Mitchell, who will be joining her.

Speaking to the Advertiser, Louise said it was such a fun morning and she hopes to be able to hold the event each year.

“It was really good fun,” she said. “It turned out to be a great day, we had a 2k and a 5k event and we’ve managed to raised over £800.

“The event was really successful and we’ve had loads of feedback from people asking us to hold the event next year and make it a bit bigger.

“Turnout was really good. Initially, we only expected just over 50 runners but we had 86 in the end which was brilliant.”

The Dollar Santa Fun Run was made possible with the help of a whole host of local sponsors, who donated funds and equipment.

John O’Malley Property & Financial Services donated the money to organise the race, the Dollar Co-op donated water and bananas to each of the runners to keep them powered up through the morning.

Tillicoultry’s uGym also sent representatives over, with one of their members Erik holding a warm up session with the participants.

Louise was inspired to carry out these fundraisers in memory of her gran, who passed away from lung cancer in 2013.

Louise added: “My gran passed away from lung cancer around 10 years ago and it’s my 40th birthday last year.

“My friend Emily and I train together, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation gave us two places for the marathon.

“Emily and myself have got places in the London Marathon and we’ve pledged to run for Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, so we’re doing events through the year.”

Louise and Emily will be planning more events through the year.