PENARTH and Dinas Runners finished off the running season by taking part in the Merthyr Mawr Pudding Race on the weekend.

It was the last club championship fixture of the season, with final places still up for grabs in several categories.

An impressive 22 members from the club took part in the Multi-terrain festive run that starts at the challenging Merthyr Mawr sand dunes, featuring the dreaded Big Dipper, as part of a six mile race.

After the energy snapping and leg burning sand dunes, with equally challenging declines, the course also includes a long and gradual incline followed by trail, field and road sections.

After navigating their way through the tough course runners enjoy a quick plunge in a perennially overflowing river ahead of a sprint finish (usually completed whilst runners' legs are still frozen).

Richard Jackson-Hookins was the first Penarth runner to finish, in his first attempt at the popular run, in 41.38. He was also 16th overall and 11th senior man.

Robert Wilson was next in 44.46.

Clem Clement, who got into the festive spirit by wearing a reindeer hat during the race, finished in 45.19.

Knill Baird-Murray was next in 46.59.

Stephen Morath finished in 47.39.

Debbie Evans took home a prize winning bottle of wine after she finished 3rd in her age category, as well as 6th woman overall and the first woman from Penarth to finish, in a four minute course PB of 48.42.

Seconds behind was Malcolm Bradley in 48.59.

Chris Herdman 50.41.

Andrew Frayling 54.53.

Rachel Morath 57.51.

In almost a photo finish Andrew Palmer crossed the line in 57.52.

Andrea Hurman sneaked under an hour in 59.35.

Lindsey Hunt 1.01.41.

Pete Williams 1.03.25.

Stella Sturgess 1.03.33.

Steve Cray 1.03.35.

Rob Leering 1.05.39.

Paul Whitmarsh 1.07.26

Lyn Evans 1.09.04.

Andrea Pace 1.11.18.

Justine Cass 1.11.55.

Janice Clement, in her Santa outfit, 1.12.46.

On Saturday Louise Hunt, Andrea Pace, Yvonne Williams, Andrea Hurman and Malcolm Bradley were also selected to represent the South Wales Region at the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships in Builth Wells after their impressive performances in the Gwent League cross country fixtures. Yvonne Williams completed the tough course despite running the Lanzarote Marathon the weekend before after she signed up for it at the last minute while on holiday. Yvonne was second in her age category in the marathon, in a time of 4.18.13, and second in her age category in the cross country as well. The Penarth and Dinas Ladies Team of Andrea Hurman, Yvonne and Andrea Pace were also the third team in the Masters Welsh Cross Country Championships. Andrea Pace, Andrea Hurman and Malcolm Bradley also deserve credit for lacing up their running shoes and taking part in the gruelling Merthyr Mawr Pudding Run the following day as well.