THE FIRST of the two mudfests that are the Seven Sinner took place in December - seven miles, seven hills and three Dursley athletes.

The event is a tough trail race ascending almost immediately from a valley floor in the Forest of Dean near Blakeney and looping back and forth on trails, bridle ways and tracks.

The course follows a fast-flowing stream passing through 2 culverts passing under the main road.

The balance of the race alternating between treacherously slick and fiendishly sticky mud.

Dursley were led home by Mark Sprigings just three seconds ahead of Chris Sweet.

Behind them and with an eye on a new pair of super grippy trail shoes for 2017 came Caroline Jones.

Results: Mark Sprigings 43rd 01:07:45 Chris Sweet 44th (11th MV) 01:07:48 Caroline Jones 100th 01:22:14

SATURDAY saw a good turnout for the Christmas Eve parkruns with thirty-four Dursley athletes running across the Country.

Fastest over the weekend was Neil Hodgson, running for the first time in Sedgfield with an impressive 75% age grading.

Thomas Smith continues to run well at Kingsway, coming home fourth overall, a minute ahead of Dave Durden who was second home for DRC - both Smith and Durden were first in their age categories and were joined by Joe Ball and Annette Heylings.

Despite the windy conditions, Antony Ball and Julie Fenn both ran personal bests at Kingsway with Pete Dunn achieving one at Wotton.

Robyn Jackson, a relative new comer to DRC, but an experienced runner, showed her speed at Stonehouse coming home fourth overall in 20:39, first in her category and over 71% age grading.

Nigel Sankey led DRC home at Chipping Sodbury, with Garry Strickland and Steve Rugman both reaching their 50th parkrun on the day.

Over in the Forest of Dean, John Hookway was first home for DRC and 3rd SM30-34.

Other category winners were Charlotte Strickland at Chipping Sodbury and Carolyn Thraves at Wotton, with a whole host of DRC athletes either on their age category podiums or the top ten.

Sedgefield: Neil Hodgson, 4th, 18:45, (1st VM40-44).

Kingsway: Thomas Smith, 4th, 18:59, (1st JM15-17); David Durden, 6th, 20:02, (1st VM50-54); Joe Ball, 14th, 21:15, (1st SM18-19); Antony Ball, 40th, 23:45, (5th VM45-49), PB; Alan Honey, 47th, 24:18,(1st VM55-59); Shona Darley, 56th, 24:53,(1st VW40-44); Lucy Fairall, 82nd, 26:25,(4th VW35-39); Mark Western, 88th, 26:48,(8th VM50-54); Nicki Grant, 93rd, 27:22; Julie Fenn, 96th, 27:31,(6th VW35-39), PB; Nicki Cowle, 97th, 27:34, (2nd VW40-44); Annette Heylings, 109th, 28:48, (1st VW60-64), Jo Fearns, 145th, 31:42, (8th VW40-44); Chris Sweet, 180th, 34:01, VM40-44,

Forest Of Dean: John Hookway, 114th, 32:04, (3rd SM30-34); Julie Furneaux, 150th, 49:42; Charlotte Palmer, 151st, 49:45;

Stonehouse; Robyn Jackson, 5th, 20:39, (1st SW25-29); Chris Young, 22nd, 24:09, (2nd VM45-49); Jay Jackson, 62nd, 27:26, (3rd SW30-34).

Wotton: Mark Waller, 18th, 25:32, (2nd VM40-44); Pete Dunn, 19th, 25:36, (3rd VM40-44), PB; Carolyn Thraves, 35th, 27:54, (1st VW35-39); Paul Lewington, 39th, 28:25, (2nd VM60-64),

Chipping Sodbury: Nigel Sankey, 25th, 20:23, (6th VM35-39); Steve Rugman, 127th, 25:52, (3rd VM55-59); Charlotte Strickland, 131st, 25:58, (1st SW20-24), Garry Strickland, 150th, 26:36; Tracey Strickland, 230th, 29:08, (6th VW50-54); Jude Rugman, 340th, 33:50, VW50-54, Penrith: Kevin Higgins, 57th, 25:45, (2nd VM60-64); Veronica Higgins, 153rd , 35:21, (6th VW55-59)