There were mince pies, mulled wine, sweat, sweets, smiles and a little bit of hail all on offer this Sunday as 15 runners competed the Merthyr Mawr Christmas Pudding Race!

We gathered at the starting line - the base of the 2nd highest sand dune in Europe! - and at the sound of the horn, we dashed off! But after much huffing and puffing, this turned into a walk as a few hundred runners all realised that running to the top was going to wreck us, before we got any further. Things quickly sped up as what goes up, must come down! And down we went over the other side, and into the fantastic Merthyr Mawr sand dune system.

The winding course too us across dunes, up grassy hills, through freezing cold streams, down muddy tracks, through woods, through more streams, onto the beach, up the estuary, through even more streams ... to the finish! It was truly a test of endurance, and even some pain as Mat dislocated his kneecap along the route! But well worth it for the lovely lunch afterwards, to refill on calories, share stories and plan our next events. Great running everyone!!!