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A SEA of Santas packed the streets of major cities across the globe today as thousands of runners kicked off Christmas 2018.

From London to Las Vegas the festive fun runners donned red and white Santa suits before gathering to form legions of jolly St Nicks.

An army of Father Christmases took over Turin, Italy today
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An army of Father Christmases took over Turin, Italy todayCredit: AP:Associated Press

Thousands of Father Christmas-clad men and women also spilled into the streets of Budapest, in Hungary and Turin, in Italy this morning.

Meanwhile, in the UK, thousands more were spotted jogging through Liverpool, Belfast, Shrewsbury, Butterwick, Hartlepool and Dundee.

Yesterday morning crowds of excited children and their parents lined the streets of Las Vegas to catch a glimpse of the Santas during the annual Great Santa Run.

Pictures of the events show red masses of runners smiling and enjoying the early December atmosphere.

Hordes of revellers gathered in the Italian city to ring in this year's festivities
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Hordes of revellers gathered in the Italian city to ring in this year's festivitiesCredit: EPA
Other Italian Santas mounted bikes for a stretch of their festive run
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 Other Italian Santas mounted bikes for a stretch of their festive runCredit: EPA
Two lads went all out in Budapest, Hungary wearing festive headgear
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Two lads went all out in Budapest, Hungary wearing festive headgearCredit: Reuters
Another group of St Nicks in the Hungarian capital looked weary as they neared the last leg of the run
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Another group of St Nicks in the Hungarian capital looked weary as they neared the last leg of the runCredit: Reuters
Meanwhile a shirtless Snata jogged through Victoria Park, east London during the Santa Run this morning
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Meanwhile a shirtless Snata jogged through Victoria Park, east London during the Santa Run this morningCredit: PA:Press Association
Dogs were dressed in festive clothes to mark the event
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Dogs were dressed in festive clothes to mark the eventCredit: PA:Press Association
Lizzie Wall with Matilda, her 15-week-old Miniature dachshund, taking part in the London Santa Run in Victoria Park
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Lizzie Wall with Matilda, her 15-week-old Miniature dachshund, taking part in the London Santa Run in Victoria ParkCredit: PA:Press Association
Fun runners form a giant human chain of Santa's the British capital
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Fun runners form a giant human chain of Santa's the British capitalCredit: PA:Press Association

In east London's Victoria Park Santas of all shapes and sizes were snapped stretching before the big run.

At one stage around 300 participants spontaneously formed a human chain as they danced at the start line.

Some even dressed their dogs in festive gear and brought them along to the events, while braver Santas did the run topless in despite the chilly temperatures in the capital.

Creative types also crafted sleighs and brought elf helpers with them on the city centre runs.

Liverpool's Santa Dash was kicked off as runners made their way under a giant inflatable father Christmas
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Liverpool's Santa Dash was kicked off as runners made their way under a giant inflatable father ChristmasCredit: PA:Press Association
Blue and red Santas took to the streets in the northern city
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Blue and red Santas took to the streets in the northern cityCredit: Reuters
Runners revelled in the Christmas spirit
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Runners revelled in the Christmas spiritCredit: AP:Associated Press
Red crowds of Santas gathered in Las Vegas yesterday for the annual Christmas run
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Red crowds of Santas gathered in Las Vegas yesterday for the annual Christmas runCredit: EPA
It was all smiles as the runners welcomed in the festive season
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It was all smiles as the runners welcomed in the festive seasonCredit: EPA

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In Belfast, Santa in his sleigh kickstarted the event with a show for audiences in Wrtier's Squares.

Sponsored by construction and facilities management group Grham, the dash is organised by charity Cash for Kids, with everything raised supporting disadvantaged children across Northern Ireland.

All the runners were taking part in aid of a different charity causes.

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