It was a fitting morning for the Santa Shuffle Fun Run and Elf Walk Saturday as fluffy snowflakes floated down from the sky.

The holiday-themed event is in its eighth year in Red Deer, said Race Director and Salvation Army Red Deer Community Ministries Co-ordinator Taylor Poor.

With more than 200 participants, the fun run and walk raised more than $7,000, she said.

“It went really well this year,” she said. “It was great for the weather.”

Red Deerians who came out Saturday dressed up as Santa, elves, an abominable snowman and other funky, Christmas-related running costumes.

There were even runners with stuffed turkeys on their heads, Poor said. One runner wore a tutu.

“It’s lots of fun. There are more and more kids each year, so it is nice to see a family event rather than just runners.”

Participants can choose to register in the five-kilometre Fun-Run or the one-kilometre Elf Walk for all ages and skill levels.

The event is hosted by the Salvation Army and the Running Room.

All money raised stays in Red Deer through the local chapter of the Salvation Army.

The Santa Shuffle started 28 years ago in Edmonton to fundraise for local Salvation Army initiatives, reads the event website.

Local Running Room members used their passion for running to raise money for those in need.

The Santa Shuffle became a national event in 2001 with communities taking part in every province, the website reads.

There were more than 16,000 participants who raised more than $650,000 in 2017.