The first Sunday of December saw Honiton Running Club (HRC) members celebrate the start of the run up to Christmas celebrations by taking part in the Otterton Reindeer Run, writes Jo Davey.

This is a mainly off road 10k and after the torrential rain during the previous night, it was muddy and slippery underfoot. After a hilly start and some sloping fields, runners are treated to a flat picturesque stretch beside the River Otter.

Mike Mears had a great run for Honiton after suffering injury recently.

He came 14th in a time of 47:39. His team mate, Sherrie Hair has also suffered injury recently, but was hot on his heels just one place and 29 seconds later.

Sherrie was second lady overall. Next in for HRC was Mandy Ward who came 90th in 1:04:02.

Simon Gilbert followed, coming 93rd in 1:04:11. Clare Melbourne and Asilah Jarrald crossed the line together coming 163rd in 1:22:23. There were 182 finishers and the winner was James Denne in 38:31.

Sherrie’s seven and five-year-old sons took part in the 3k fun run with George coming 19th in 17:19 and Samuel coming 99th in 25:39 out of 133 finishers.