RUNNERS were mad for some festive spirit as they donned elf and Santa suits to take on the challenge of the Forest of Dean Athletic Club's muddy Christmas Tree trails race.

Members of MonRoss Trailblazers joined a field of more than 130 to run the five-mile route starting and finishing at Ellwood Football Club.

Hot on the hells of Rudolph was Kevin Bale in 35.48, followed by Parc Bryn Bach's Sam Jones in 36.16.

Fastest local in third was FoDAC's Marcus Bennetto in third in 36.47, who came home 41 seconds up on Parc's Jon Like in fourth.

Trailblazer Faye Johnson stormed to the women's Christmas crown and fastest over-35 in 43.52 in 13th overall, 42 seconds ahead of Stow-on-the-Wold's Eleanor Pudifoot, with Chepstow Harriers’ Lisa Jeffrey next and fastest over-50 female in 48.37.

MonRoss's Emma Humphries also showed plenty of yo ho go taking the S20 women's class by seven seconds from clubmate Rosie Davies in 54.05.

Just in front taking the women's over-40 class was FoDAC's Leanne Meek who crossed in 53.41, with Chepstow Harriers' Louise Crockett producing a Chrismas cracker of a run just behind to lift the over-60 class in 54.16.

Trailblazer Emma Davies also ran home in 56.24, followed by club mate Oksana Agapova in 60.10 and Pip Cottrell in 66.19.

And Christopher Harrison showed age is no object taking the over-80 class in 73.28.

Over 20 runners and their faithful festive companions also took part in the cani-cross race, Ben Robinson of Bristol and West AC storming home in 31.07, followed by May Bailey in 32.24 and first woman, Solihull's Ashliegh Bailey, in third in 40.00.

Meanwhile, MonRoss runners were out in force for their final midweek club run before Christmas, with 16 heading into the woods around the town on four and six mile routes, despite torrential rain, followed by a festive drink in The Mail Rooms.

At least their efforts should make space for plenty of Christmas dinner and pud!