Hardy runners braved a chill Sunday morning to complete a 5K Santa Dash fun run around the town centre.
And the second annual North West Air Ambulance challenge attracted an array of different entrants – from two legs, three wheels and four legs.
Little Joseph William Henry, not yet one-year-old, was pushed around the course by parents Graham and Sue in his tinsel-decked pram and remained asleep for the race.
And pooch Jasper ran the course carrying a Go Pro that captured the fun.
Elsewhere there were plenty of Blackburn Harriers and Blackburn Road Runners represented on the run, which started and finished outside the town hall and was preceded by a festive warm-up.
First to cross the finishing line was Harrier Harry Sambrook, 13, who attends St Bede’s RC High.
His dad Stuart, who came home just minutes later, said: “We just saw the signs around the town centre and thought we would give it a go.”
Mayor of Blackburn, Cllr Jim Shorrock, was on hand to officially start the event, which saw runners complete three laps to the cathedral and back.
Cllr Shorrock reminded the participants of what their fundraising means to the North West Air Ambulance charity, who organised the event alongside Blackburn BID and Pennine Events.
He said: “Nine pounds can fuel an aircraft for one minute of a mission, while £25 can buy a warming blanket, essential to maintain the body temperature of severe trauma patients such as those who have suffered a cardiac arrest.
“And £100 could be enough to help save the life of a seriously-ill patient by buying a surgical airway kit, crucial in life-threatening situations, such as airway obstruction or facial trauma.”
Well done to everyone who took part.
