ONE occasion when Thornbury Running Club members turn out in force is the Weston Christmas Cracker.

The 10km event takes over Weston- super-Mare seafront for the morning, with almost two thousand runners, many in full fancy dress, dashing along the seafront and back along the road.

Over the years many thousands of pounds have been raised for local charities: in 2014 £9,400 was donated to Weston Hospicecare as a result of the race.

Although the course is flat, it doesn't lend itself to gaining a personal best.

Wind is almost always guaranteed and on Sunday, icy rain blown sideways at gale force did its best to dampen the spirits.

Most of those seen at the 8.5km mark looked cold, wet and bedraggled. Of all Thornbury's entries, only Nancy Harding could finish in under eight-minute mile pace, in 49.20minutes.

Perhaps all were just out to enjoy themselves, and next home, Jo Williams, took 51.32mins, about five minutes slower than her usual times.

There was a great turnout from the MV60 men with Hugh McPherson and Mick Stirrup close to Williams in 51.34mins and 51.39 minutes, then Mike Bennewitz (54.02mins) and Arthur Renshaw (55.42mins). Janet Gaze (one hour and 43 seconds) held up the standard for the FV60 Ladies, coming 8th in her category, with Helen Renshaw (one hour 8.07minutes), Anne Palmer and Sue Pascoe (both one hour 8.59mins) also proving that being over 60 won't stop them.

Going one better, Carole Bishop was second in the FV70 age group in one hour 13.10minutes.

Other Thornbury runners were Kevin Cundy (52.03mins), Ian Peacock (53.49mins), Mark Williams (55.42mins), Angela Bushell (57.08mins), Jo Stirrup (59.51mins), Val James (one hour 2.30) and Cathy Watkins (one hour 12.32).

At Saturday's Little Stoke parkrun, Kevin Arnold had a better run, finishing the 5k in 20.58mins despite having a cross-country race to complete later in the day.

Kevin Cundy ran with his son in 28.29mins; a warm-up for the next day's Cracker.