Margie Maccoll
A summer storm crashed down on Cooroy last Friday evening just as the Santas were getting ready to run in one of the highlights of the annual Christmas in Cooroy event, the Great Santa Race.
But the weather didn’t deter participants or onlookers who waited about half an hour for the rain to subside before the Santas took up their positions in front of thousands and Noosa councillor Tom Wegener started the race.
King of the Mountain champion Jorge Hernae was tipped to win but the long-distance runner wasn’t used to racing in a Santa suit. It was a close race with first time runner, basketball player Nathan Heran coming in first with Jorge in third place.
“It was something I wanted to try,“ Nathan said.
“The run was harder than I thought. It was good though and something you remember.“
Christmas celebrations continued in the hinterland over the weekend with the Eumundi Christmas Extravaganza attracting many thousands of people to the festive event.
Families flocked to the event, happily queueing for the free rides and the food stalls or enjoying the festive show which incorporated the Hinterland Carols, included a visit from Santa and was followed by fireworks.
