Elf Fun Run invites families to enjoy some festive spirit in Newcastle this weekend

Santa's elves will be helping to spread some seasonal goodwill in Newcastle this weekend and families are being invited to get in on the action.

An Elf Fun Run is to be a top attraction during Eldon Square's Christmas event on Sunday and young ones can be signed up in advance for the morning's 1km blast around the shopping centre. The race, costing £3, will begin with a warm-up session led by the elves and accompanied by festive music.

The runners will be given elf hats to wear on the festive route as well as a medal at the end of the run which no doubt will bring plenty of cheer to passing shoppers too. And they might be in for a festive treat themselves as the elves also will be surprising customers that day with giveaways.

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Gift vouchers worth up to £50 will be up for grabs to those who show a receipt of purchase from an Eldon Square store and the elves will pick out the lucky ones to benefit from a gift card. Olivia Telfer, marketing manager at the city shopping centre, said: “We can’t wait for our Christmas elves to be running round the centre and surprising our shoppers with gift vouchers.

"Whether you choose to spend them on your Christmas shopping or give them to a loved one, we hope it brings a smile to our visitors faces."

To take part in the Elf Fun Run, families must book places in advance and then those with tickets will be able to register from 8.30am on the day at a registration desk near the Northumberland Street entrance to Eldon Square where the run will start at 9.15am taking the children up to St Andrew’s Way and back.

There won't be opportunities to register on the day. To buy advance tickets for the run see here.

Proceeds raised will go to the Newcastle United Foundation charity whose sports programmes promote health, wellbeing and education among local people. Eldon Square is also running occasional Elf School sessions where children can learn about life as an elf, which also benefit the charity, but these are now sold out.