PENARTH and Dinas Runners had a busy Christmas and New Year period with a number of races, personal bests and podium finishes.

Ahead of the festive season they took part in the annual Pudding Run in Brackla.

The challenging six mile multi terrain race in the Merthyr Mawr sand dunes was full of festive cheer, with mulled race and mince pies served at drinks stations during the race.

Runners also got into the festive spirit by wearing Santa Claus outfits, bells and other festive decorations.

Despite the cheery nature of the race on Sunday morning (December 13), the course was full of its own challenges, with the ‘Big Dipper’ run up the sand dunes right at the start of the race proving an arduous ordeal. After the first rise came the fall, before another steady narrow climb up the sandy hill.

The rest of the race was no easy ride, with a fair share of muddy fields, trail paths and sand dunes to tackle.

With Christmas edging closer, club members got into the festive spirit by taking part in the inaugural Cottrell Park Christmas Cracker 10k and 5k.

Richard Jackson-Hookins was the first Penarth runner to cross the finish line in 5th place overall in the 10k, followed by fellow club mate Gavin Evans in 13th.

Malcolm Bradley was next up in 45th, followed by Lyn Evans in 97th.

On the same day Gary Brown was the 2nd person to cross the finish line in the Llandough Christmas Fun Run.

Gary was also the winner in the 31-40 age category.

Throughout the Christmas and New Year period Penarth runners enjoyed taking part in both the Cardiff and Barry Island parkrun's.

In December Ben Butler-Madden led the way as the overall winner in one of the Barry Island parkrun's.

After making the most of the Christmas period, Penarth runners laced up their trainers to burn off all their festive weight by taking part in a number of races.

Ben went on to achieve a personal best at the Nos Galan 5k race with a time of 17.08.

Marc Durkin also achieved a time of 20.20, as well as Chris nellins in 21.00, Malcolm Bradley 21.35, Debbie Evans 22.16, Andrea Hurman 22.28, Lisa Cleary 22.54 and Steve Hill 24.00.

On New Year's Day Penarth runners took part in a record-breaking Barry Island parkrun, with several runners also braving the annual New Year's Day Dip shortly afterwards.

Between Christmas and New Year Lisa Cleary and Yvonne Williams were also crowned age category winners in the Old Father Time 5 mile race.