BUDAPEST, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Several thousands of runners dressed up as Santa Claus appeared on the streets of central Budapest here on Sunday, participating in a special run popular among families.

The run started from the Corvinus University and went along the Danube. It is not a marathon. The participants were divided into three groups, with the first and the second ones running 2,300 meters respectively, and the third taking part in a family run of only 700 meters.

The Santa costumes were offered with a participation fee, which stood at about 4,000 forints (14 U.S. dollars), and the income from the race, organized by the Budapest Sport Office (BSI) and the drugstore Rossmann, went to charity.

"It's not about the run, it's about the fun, and I'm glad that with a little sweat, we could help those in need," Balint, a 24 year-old IT expert told Xinhua. He was a former triathlon competitor, so the distance was no challenge for him.

"I came with my two little cousins who ran the short distance," he added.

Although no statistics has been provided on the number of foreign participants, several tourists have been spotted speaking German, French or English among the runners.