He terrified English and Scottish Premier League defenders for years in a football career that saw him score more than 150 goals for Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea, Celtic, Birmingham and Aston Villa.

But, today, Chris Sutton, winner of one English and three Scottish Premier League titles, was out-paced by his 10-year-old son James in a sprint finish at a charity race.

Sutton, 38, was one of 51 runners taking part in the Santa Dash at the Royal Estate in Sandringham to raise money for Norfolk Hospice Tapping House.

He said: 'It was good to do something to keep fit in the build up to Christmas. I'm not sure where I finished but I don't think I will be worrying any of the Olympic squad selectors.

'I think I'm getting a bit too old for this sort of thing, but it was a lot of fun to run with my son and he just beat me in the sprint finish.

'The Sandringham Estate is a lovely place to run and the main thing is to support a really good cause.

'The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House is something that I've been aware of for a long time and I am always happy to support them whenever I can.'

Sutton and his wife Sam has their sixth child, Sophia, two months ago, and he released his autobiography, Paradise and Beyond, in October.

He has had a brief stint in football management with Lincoln City, resigning in September last year for family reasons.

He said: 'I'm enjoying spending time with my family at the moment and our new daughter Sophia, but I'd love to get back into football at some point.'

Asked about the possibility of returning to Norwich City in some way, he said: 'I know Paul Lambert well and he and his guys are doing an incredible job without the likes of me getting involved.'

Saturday's race saw competitors, dressed as Father Christmas, race 1.5 miles around the Royal estate at Sandringham.

The first three finishers were from the same family with youngster William Gent first, his brother Freddy Gent second and their aunt Elizabeth Sanders third.

There was also a prize draw held on the day.

Amanda Standen, fund-rasing events co-ordinator at Norfolk Hospice Tapping House, said: 'This is the first time we have done this so I am absolutely delighted with the amount of interest that we've had.

'I don't know yet how much money we have raised but I believe it will be in the region of about �3,000.

'I would like to thank Chris Sutton and his son for taking part, Glebe House School choir for performing, town crier John Savage for starting the race, Evergreen Tractors for donating a toy tractor as a prize, King's Lynn Football Club for donating a prize of two VIP tickets to a match, RAF Marham for providing medical support, Amy Ranger from Tesco for providing presents for a Santa's grotto and all of the runners for coming along and getting involved.

'I am always looking for people with ideas for fund-raising events so I would urge anyone with ideas to get in touch with me.'

Mrs Standen can be contacted on 07551 988029