New London — Hundreds of Santas stormed through New London's downtown Sunday morning, but it wasn't because gifts came early this year.

The second annual Run for a Claus, presented by the Hartford Marathon Foundation, brought about 500 people dressed in variations of Santa's uniform to Bank Street for a 2.5-mile road race. The route started and finished on Bank Street and looped around Fort Trumbull State Park.

Run for a Claus is part of the HMF's three-race HO HO HOliday Series!  meant to benefit charities. The other two took place in Norwich and West Hartford.

HMF CEO/President Elizabeth Shluger said runners were encouraged to bring paper goods before the race for The Covenant Shelter of New London, an organization that seeks "to provide emergency shelter, with the goal of obtaining permanent, stable housing for our guests," according to its website.

Shluger said last year's inaugural Run for a Claus was helpful in providing paper goods to The Covenant Shelter.

"What we find most successful in our races is we ask runners to bring things that whatever charity we're working with needs, so The Covenant Shelter needs paper products," Shluger said. "Last year we were able to get enough donations to save six months of purchasing for them."

Shluger's husband Kenneth Shluger, a Superior Court judge in New London and race volunteer, explained why the HMF chose to work with The Covenant Shelter.

"We just recognized it as a very worthwhile charity," Shluger said. "Beth [Shluger] lives in Waterford, so she knows a lot of the local civic organizations."

Spectators, volunteers, vendors and firefighters lined Bank Street before the race. Following remarks from New London Mayor Michael Passero, participants in a dazzling array of Santa attire embarked on their jog, sprint or walk, depending on the individual. Some Santas had beards; others skipped that detail. Some Santas had hats; others let their hair down. Some Santas kept the full suit, replete with wool and satin, others kept only the pants or the hats. Many were decorated with ornaments or tinsel or other adornments.

Race winner Elizabeth Fengler, who completed the route in about 15 minutes or less, stuck with athletic pants instead of Santa pants because they were too big for her. She holds the women's record for fastest race time in Run for a Claus's two-year history.

Fengler ran all of the HMF's holiday races. She came to Run for a Claus in solidarity with her friend, who was running her first race.

"I figured since I got her to do it, I might as well do it, otherwise I'd be a bad friend," Fengler said.

Racer Carl Roth ran like a reindeer while pushing a sleigh with his child inside of it. Roth said he'd been up since early in the morning outfitting his stroller with red cardboard and tinsel.

"I started this morning at 5, it took about four hours," Roth said. "It's a bike box, I painted it red, put a little tinsel on it."

Hot Rod Cafe had a post-race party where runners could get a free beer. Many people mingled on Bank Street as their sweat dried, going to physical therapy booths or sipping hot chocolate and water with family members who came to see the spectacle.

Elizabeth Shluger credited the city for a smooth event.

"One of our tag lines is 'great races in great places.' We consider this a great place," Shluger said. "I mean, Bank Street? It's just gorgeous, and working with the City of New London, one of the best locations we worked with all year. So welcoming, so appreciative that we come, so willing to work with us."

s.spinella@theday.com