IT WOULD take more than chilly weather and an overly-large Christmas meal to stop local runners and fundraisers from joining in the annual Boxing Day Run.

This year hundreds of people braved a damp December morning to complete the challenging 3.5-mile run across Hindhead Common, Gibbet Hill and the Devil’s Punchbowl in support of Holy Cross Hospital, raising thousands of pounds in the process.

Organiser Matt Dellar said: "We weren’t able to hold the run in 2020 so people seemed to be even more energised and enthusiastic this year.

"It was an excellent turnout, fantastically joyous atmosphere and we witnessed some impressive performances in the process - not least in the drinking run, where participants enjoy a pint of ale part way round."

All the funds raised are donated to Holy Cross Hospital, a highly-specialist hospital for people with serious and chronic neurological conditions.

"As well as our hardy runners, I would like to thank the businesses who very generously support us," said Matt.

"We simply couldn’t lay on such a fun but professional event without race:timing solutions, the National Trust, the Sports Locker, the Hogs Back Brewery Company, Show Hire, the Devil’s Punchbowl Hotel and Wilson Electrical Distributors."

Although a fun event with the aim of supporting a local good cause, each participant has their time recorded on a chip.

The winner of the men’s drinking race - and overall winner of the run - was Daniel Titcomb, who completed the course in just 22 minutes and 49 seconds.

Sarah Hill won the ladies’ drinking race in 26 minutes and 20 seconds.

Ed Gibson completed the cross-country route in 23 minutes and 29 seconds and the fastest female was Zoe Cowell-Jones, whose time was 25 minutes and 53 seconds.

A total of 370 people took part in the run.

Holy Cross Hospital in Haslemere provides care for 40 people with very complex medical needs, often the result of a brain injury or serious neurological condition.