Julia King was one of the organisers and this is her account of what could yet become an official record-breaking event.

"Another Santa Run has passed us by and what an amazing day it turned out to be!

Can you imagine 2,062 (or more!) adults dressed in Santa suits and over 400 children? The picture in my mind is absolutely fabulous but putting pen to paper and describing the images to you is incredibly difficult so you will have to look at the pictures and imagine you were there with us.

It all started at 4.00 am in the Dial-a-Ride offices with our incredibly excited staff and volunteers. It was bacon butties all around and vast quantities of tea and coffee to kick start the morning.

The barriers appeared at 5.00 am and were up in no time at all thanks to the efficiency of the boys who erected them. The inflatables were next on the list with two huge Santas going on the start/finish line - you certainly couldn't miss them anyway!

The 75 ft long dragon in the park had been put in place and inflated on Saturday afternoon although it was let down again overnight. All that needed to be done was to plug it in and inflate him again.

A steady stream of chattering Santas started arriving at 7.00 am in their outfits to register for the big day. Music was playing to add to the atmosphere and some of the braver Santas decided to give the surfboard simulator a go.

At 10.00 am the aerobics started. A sea of red and white jumping up and down to the rhythm of the music is certainly a sight to behold!

The Santas were led into Broad Street, the main street in Newtown, to the start line. At 11.00 am on the dot the horns went off and the Santas were released!

Within 21 minutes and 35 seconds the first Santa had completed the 4.5 mile run and was hurtling back down Broad Street to the finish line! A steady stream of Santas started appearing a few minutes behind.

Goodie bags and medals were handed out on the finish line with a well deserved bottle of water to all Santas who took part.

The day still hadn't ended by then! We were back to the park for aerobics with over 400 very excited Mini Santas before they took part in their very own Mini Santa Run.

The Mini Santas were led into Broad Street by a police vehicle with flashing blue lights to the start line where again the horns went off at 1.00 pm and off they went!

It appeared that almost as soon as they had started, the first one had come over the finish line to claim the first medal and goodie bag.

Everybody who took part, whether they were running for charity or spectating, had an absolutely fabulous day and can't wait for next year's Santa Run! Here's to setting two new World Records, maybe even a third!"

Written by Julia King from Newtown Dial-a-Ride.

When we spoke again to the organisers in April 2004, they were still waiting for official ratification that the 2003 event was the world's largest Santa Run. The event raised more than £80,000 for local charities - Mid Wales Web Team