BOURTON Roadrunners were in a festive mood at the weekend as the usual fierce competition was replaced with some more social-based events for members.

For several Roadrunners, it was the last opportunity for getting together with friends for social as well as competitive running.

Some chose to run at formally timed events, while others opted for the freedom of a self-organised cross-country run and chat event.

For Lorna Shawcross, it was the challenge of competing in the Tempo Winter 10Km, with its hill and stunning views around the Ilmington and Mickleton area.

This was the third event of fully sold-out five-race series, and Shawcross completed the tough course in a time of 54 minutes and 9 seconds.

Steph and Gary Holton and Susan Hunt joined friends from Running Somewhere Else at the Hook Norton Xmas Canter, which provided a chilly, hilly mix of road, track and fields, covering seven miles for over 200 runners, with the Bourton group and their friends finishing in just under an hour and a half.

Further afield, Jaq Underwood joined friends from Lliswerry Runners for the Cardiff Festive 10k, with many of the 200+ runners dressing as elves for this multi-terrain event that takes in the River Taff, Pontcanna Fields and the Millennium Bridge. Jaq completed the 10 km course in a 50 minutes and 37 seconds.

Locally, a large group of the Club’s runners organised their own social run across the fields between Bourton on the Water and Clapton on the Hill.

They ran and chatted their way around the countryside, often regrouping and checking that nobody had got lost, and finally meeting at Bourton Leisure Centre where they celebrated “baker Viv’s” birthday with mince pies, chocolates and traditional Panettone (pictured).

No weekend would be complete without a selection of parkrun events, with Bourton Roadrunners in presence at the following venues:

Chipping Norton School: Louise Hamilton-Smith – 29:44.

Cirencester: Margaret Skelding – 43:50.

Clapham Common: Eva Shoemark – 26:14.

Gunnersbury: Susan Hunt – 26:12.

Newport, South Wales: Jaq Underwood – 26:14.