More than 7,000 people dressed as Santa Claus ran through central Madrid on Sunday in a charity race raising money for cancer care.

Sacrificing comfort for a good cause, racegoers donned red robes, Santa hats and billowing white beards to run 5 km along Madrid's famous Paseo de la Castellana avenue.

Children also took part, many dressing in green robes and elf hats in what organisers claim is the largest Santa-themed race in the world.

Part of the entry-fee paid by each racegoer will be donated to cancer care nonprofit Fundacion Intheos.