The existing record is held by a Santa dash in Newtown, Wales

The Santa Dash, now in its second year, raises funds for the Marina Dalglish Breast Cancer appeal.

Organisers received 4,514 entries and have been forced to turn hundreds away after running out of Santa suits.

The current record for the largest such gathering is held by a rival event in Powys, Wales, which is also taking place on Sunday.

Football stars

Event spokeswoman Yvonne Rothwell told BBC News organisers had been inundated with entries in the last few weeks.

She said the Santa Dash promised to be great fun for all involved, and confirmed they were very much in competition with the other event.

"The current record is held by Newtown with 3,455 - so we are way over that," she said.

"Hopefully we're going to take the record off of them."

Former Liverpool Football Club stars Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush are among those dressing up for the run.