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Shania Twain leads Great Santa Run to ninth consecutive victory

Vegas DeLuxe
By Robin Leach
December 8, 2013

Singer and Caesars Palace headliner Shania Twain, grand marshal for the event, arrives for the Las
Vegas Great Santa Run in downtown Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013. Officials said 11,201 people
participated in the event. Proceeds from the event benefit Opportunity Village, an organization that serves
people with intellectual disabilities.

As one of the most wonderful Las Vegas holiday traditions, it also has become one of the most anticipated local events.

It may have been by the narrowest of numbers and the slimmest of margins, but it was enough for our beloved organization Opportunity Village to once again for the ninth consecutive year claim the Guinness World Record for the largest number of Santa-suited runners.

Superstar and Caesars Palace headliner Shania Twain was this year’s grand marshal for the first time, and with her own team running — including her husband Frederic Thiebaud and her sister Carrie Ann Brown — she helped send the record number to more than 11,200.

Not only was it 1,000 more than last year’s entries, but it also beat last weekend’s 10,700-strong challenge from rival entrants in Liverpool, England. Our O.V. final number also convincingly beat similar events in Japan and Tasmania off the Australian coast.

Shania, dressed in a stylish white Santa helper coat, hat and scarf, said, “It’s such a thrill to be here. It kicks off the holiday season with a wonderful spirit.” My interview with Shania about Opportunity Village’s 2013 Great Santa Run was posted on Thursday.

Despite chilly temperatures and brisk winds, Chippendales at the Rio hunks Jace Crispin and Gavin McHale still went bare chested to accompany Mayor Carolyn Goodman as she read the official proclamation and the City of Liverpool’s mayoral challenge. I joined her onstage to greet the Liverpool contingent, which held the Santa trophy for only 15 minutes before O.V. wrested it back!

“Jersey Boys” at the Paris star Jeff Leibow, Luxor headliners Jabbawockeez with a giant polar bear character, Zowie Bowie’s Chris Phillips and the O.V. Elvi troupe provided entertainment to the Santa runners as they assembled for the starting pistol.

O.V. directors Linda Smith and Ed Guthrie expected the mile-long walk and the 5K run to raise more than $250,000 for the charity’s programs that support children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Our thanks to Steve Marcus of the Las Vegas Sun for his great photo gallery. Please check back soon for more photos from Denise Truscello of WireImage and contributing photographer Tom Donoghue.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow Sun A&E Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

Shania serving as grand marshal of the 2013 Las Vegas Great Santa Run (12/7/13)
Trying on my Santa hat for the The Las Vegas Great Santa Run tomorrow! Excited to serve as the Grand Marshall!
You can support the Opportunity Village charity & join #TeamShania online or support my husband, sister, or band members
that are running for #TeamShania. Great fun for a great cause! (12/6/13)

Had a great time today, serving as the Grand Marshal to the Las Vegas Great Santa Run where more than 11,000 Santas
ran around Freemont Street. Time to head back to the The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for my show tonight!!! (12/7/13)

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