英国数千名圣诞老人为慈善长跑(图)

Thousands set new world record in 'Santa Dash'

　　Thousands of people dressed as Santa Claus took part in the English city of Liverpool's annual "Santa Dash" on December 3, setting a new world record in the process, organisers of the event said.

　　12月3日，一年一度的“圣诞老人街头长跑”活动在英国的利物浦举行。据活动主办方介绍，数千名装扮成圣诞老人的志愿者参加了长跑，参赛人数创下最新世界纪录。

　　To raise money for local charities, about 5,000 people dressed up in red suits, white beards and black boots and ran for five kilometres (3.1 miles) through the streets.

　　这项活动的主要目的是为慈善机构筹集资金。约5千名志愿者身穿红色圣诞老人服、戴着白色大胡子、脚穿黑色靴子沿着街道跑了5公里的路程。

　　The feat dwarfed last year's event which saw the northwestern city earn a place in the Guinness Book of Records for the most Santas in one place at one time with 3,921.

　　今年的参赛人数超过去年的3921人，刷新了“同一时间同一地点出现最多圣诞老人”的吉尼斯世界纪录。

　　Though more than 5,000 people filled in applications to enter the 2006 event, the exact number of runners along with the total amount raised was not to be confirmed.

　　共有5千多名志愿者报名参加了今年的活动，但活动的实际参赛人数和所筹善款金额目前还没有得到确认。

　　The event's website acknowledges that it will faces stiff competition for the world record from an event in Las Vegas later this month.

　　据活动的专题网站介绍，将于本月末在拉斯维加斯举办的一项慈善活动有实力挑战此项刚被刷新的世界纪录。

　　Meanwhile, hundreds of Santas also dressed up to take part in similar charity runs in two Welsh cities, Newtown and Oswestry, attracting a total of just under 2,000 runners.

　　此外，数百名“圣诞老人”还参加了在威尔士的纽顿和奥斯维斯奇举行的两场类似的慈善长跑活动，总参赛人数不到2000名。(文/ 王茉)