Santas Abound at World Congress

You may not see Santa as an athlete, but delivering presents can be a genuine workout. Santas from all over the world lugged their overweight waistlines to this year's 54th World Santa Claus Congress, throwing sacks of presents and firing cannon balls in a new physical fitness contest. The five-discipline event is the latest addition to the three-day conference at the world's oldest amusement park: Bakken, just outside the Danish capital of Copenhagen.

Two teams of St. Nicks —one from Denmark and the other from the United States, Sweden, Russia, Germany, and other countries—competed today for the coveted trophy of Best Santa Team. The Danish Santas won. Aside from throwing presents, they also had to master a Christmas obstacle course, ride bumper cars, and compete in a horse race game. (More Denmark stories.)