Shoppers did a double take as a festive crowd dressed as Santa Claus dashed through the streets of Exeter.
The runners completed the second annual Santa Dash organised by Exeter City FC in aid of charity.
All 258 of the fancy dress competitors then sat down to watch the club dish out a Christmas gift of its own on Saturday as the team gave away a two-goal advantage to hand League 2 opponents Barnet a late draw.
David Evans, the club's youth commercial manager, said the event had created "a wonderful festive atmosphere" both before and during the match.
He added: "The club really appreciates the effort everyone put in to raise money for charity, as well as the fantastic support of sponsors Stagecoach who promoted the event on their buses, and for JTT Contracting who organised the road closures."
The one-mile run to St James's Park stadium was started by Lord Mayor Rob Newby outside the Guildhall in the High Street.
After the group had crossed the finish line at St James's Park, they all took their seats for the 2-2 draw between Exeter City and Barnet.
At half-time the Beacon Knights under-11 team and the Stoke Hill under-10 side competed in a shoot-out on the pitch in Santa suits.
By paying an entry fee and collecting sponsorship, the Santa Dashers raised money for a number of charities, including the Exeter City FC Charitable Trust, the Adam Stansfield Foundation, Devon Air Ambulance, Help for Heroes, CLIC Sargent and Hospiscare.
