SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — A belly that shook like a bowl full of jelly? That would have been hard to find in the fit crowd of Santas running in South Portland Sunday morning.
More than 2,000 people donned the signature white beard and red hats of St. Nick and registered for the Santa Hustle New England 5K & Half Marathon road race in South Portland, which was hosted by Maine Mall department store Bon-Ton and raised money for Easter Seals Maine.
Another 200-plus volunteers — appropriately dressed as elves — were scheduled to add to the festivities “with holiday music, candy and food,” according to an Easter Seals Maine announcement.
Participants in the road race, which started and ended at the Maine Mall, received Santa Claus hats, beards and Dri-Fit race hoodies to wear during the race.
After the race, runners were treated to a party at Jimmy The Greek’s restaurant nearby.
Easter Seals Maine provides services to people with disabilities or special needs and their families to ensure they “have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities,” according to an organization news release.
Jolly joggers paid $65 apiece in registration fees to run the half marathon and $50 for the 5K.
For more information about Easter Seals Maine, visit www.eastersealsme.org.
