HUNDREDS of runners braved the cold and icy conditions to take on the annual Boxing Day run organised by Clevedon Athletics Club.

Following the severe weather experienced in the days leading up to Christmas, it was only decided on Christmas Eve that the roads in Clevedon were safe enough for the four-mile race to go ahead.

As a result, the number of entries was down compared to last year.

However, more than 650 people still took part in the event, which many use as an opportunity to raise money for a good cause.

Clevedon Athletic Club chairman Andy Heyes said: “We had more than 400 entries on the day, which was as good as last year.

“The event went really well considering that on Christmas Eve we were 50/50 over whether to let it go ahead.

“It was a success and many people told us they appreciated the fact we still managed to hold it.”

Spectators cheered on the runners as they made their way around the course, which had a new finish line in Elton Road outside The Little Harp instead of the Salthouse Fields car park, where there was still ice on the surface.

As well as the senior race, the morning also saw 50 youngsters take part in a junior 3km race and this was also the first year that people had the chance to take part in a walking event.

David Bishop, a member of Bristol and West Athletics Club, took first place in the senior race after finishing in a time of 18 minutes and 11 seconds.

Six seconds behind was his clubmate Michael Johnson and in third place was Ben Noad with a time of 18 minutes and 36 seconds.

Emma Pallant was crowned the ladies’ winner with a time of 20 minutes 37 seconds, Laura Parker was second with a time of 21 minutes 27 seconds and Annabel Granger finished third in a time of 21 minutes 41 seconds.

The winner of the junior 3km race was Matthew Dickson who finished in eight minutes and three seconds,

Calum Hannay was second with a time of nine minutes 18 seconds and Victoria Kenny finished in nine minutes 46 seconds to claim third place.

Proceeds from the race and the morning of events will go to Children’s Hospice South West, which runs Charlton Farm in Wraxall and provides care and support to children with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses.