MORE than 300 assorted Father Christmases, elves, snowmen and reindeer turned Monnow Street into a festive freeway on Sunday, as the annual Santa Fun Run got under way at the historic town bridge.

Racing up the high street covered by floods just three weeks ago, the jolly joggers covered the full gamut of Christmas glee, from bouncing babies in pushchairs to sprightly pensioners.

Having taken place on the Sports Ground and Chippenham fields only last year owing to the closed Vauxhall Fields bridge, this time the Spirit of Monmouth-organised race made a welcome return to Monnow Street, before merrymakers wheeled right at the top down to Chippy and back past the tennis courts to finish by the Sports Ground gates – a turkey trot of around a mile.

No less than 340 Yuletide runners took part, raising around £1,000 for the Monmouth Bridges Quest Busters project, which supports those with a child with additional needs, with the race officially started by a big bell rung by a family.

People lined the streets and paths to cheer them on, with all finishers recieving a wooden Santa medal and some chocolates.

First over the line was Will Lodwick, with Lily Cornish hot on his heels followed by Zach Mason in third and former British rowing champion Tom Penny in fourth.

Santa Fun Run winner Will Lodick (centre) with Lily Henshilwood second, and Zach Mason third
Santa Fun Run winner Will Lodwick (centre) with Lily Cornish second, and Zach Mason third. (Tindle)

Elsewhere, a squad of some 16 Spirit runners braved the wet and mud at the third Gwent X-Country League match at Blaise Castle in Bristol on Saturday.

Katy Adams was 35th out of 320 and second over-45 in the women's race, crossing in 30.08, followed by Vicky Roberts in 32.01 in 79th, Renske Bouwens in 147th in 35.18 and Marina Wright in 187th in 37.10.

Katy Adams, right, with her Spirit team-mates was second in class in the third Gwent X-Country League race
Katy Adams, right, with her Spirit team-mates was second in class in the third Gwent X-Country League race (Spirit of Monmouth)

In the 423-strong men's race, Tommy Chinnick was 125th in 35.38, followed by Matthew Visser 192nd in 37.41, Ben Saunders 193rd in 37.42, James Robinson 225th in 38.34, Barry Burns 230th and seventh over-55 in 38.40, Lee Davies 331st in 42.47, Martin Blakebrough 340th in 43.08, Brian Evans 367th in 45.41, Mike Visser 369th in 45.53, and Jeremy Creasey 406th in 49.59.

Santa Fun Run photo special pages 22-23