Highlights over the festive period included Jonathan Hopkins and Caryl Jones wins at the Glynneath 5 and Olympian Sonia Samuels at the Saltwell 10km.

Elsewhere Adam Clarke and Kristian Jones clocked a quick parkrun times over Christmas in Hastings and Swansea respectively.

Glynneath 5 mile, Wales, December 26

Swansea Harriers came out in force for Boxing Day’s Glynneath 5 mile race. Jonathan Hopkins and Kris Jones had a great battle for the top two spots. The pair were only separated by five seconds with Hopkins the victor in 23:54 ahead of Jones in 23:59. Lestyn Harrett of NTPC Wales finished third in 24:54.

The women’s race also went to Swansea Harriers with Caryl Jones clocking 27:28 for the win and a new female course record. Alaw Beynon-Thomas also the Swansea club was second in 28:20 and third went to Clara Evans of Cardiff AAC in 29:11.

Ronnie Walker Saltwell 10k, Gateshead, Saturday, December 23

Abraham Tewelde (Saltwell Harriers) won in 32:40 ahead of Conrad Franks (Gateshead Harriers & AC) who finished just four seconds behind in second place with Durham City Harrier Daniel Jenkin third in 33:23.

Olympian marathoner Sonia Samuels won the women’s race in 35:41 from Danielle Hodgkinson (Birchfield Harriers) with 36:09. Completing the podium was Charlotte Penfold (North Shields Polytechnic club) in 37:44.

The Chevin Chase, Leeds, Tuesday, December 26

At the 39th edition of The Chevin Chase, Chris Smithard (Central AC) took the win in a time of 38:43. Joe Baxter (Pudsey & Bramley AC) followed with 39:32 and Matthew Merrick (Bingley Harriers & AC) finished third in 40:00.

Sharon Barlow was a clear winner in the women’s race clocking a time of 46:39, followed by Ruth Moran (Horsforth Harriers) in 48:29.

Guernsey Boxing Day Open, Tuesday, December 26

Guernsey’s Commonwealth representative and GB international athlete Lee Merrien showed his class to finish over two minutes ahead of a strong field in the annual Boxing Day cross country race. The event which is held over a traditional 4.75 mile course, saw Merrien clock 24:40, Dan Galpin followed in 26:42 and Peter Amy was third in 27:07.

First woman home and ninth overall was Louise Perrio with 28:14, Laura McCarthy followed in 30:50 and in third, Vanessa Rodrigues posted 33:55.

Parkrun – nationwide

Over the festive period parkrun proved as popular as ever with the most noticeable performances being;

Men
Adam Clarke (Aldershot Farnham & District) 14:14 at Hastings.
Kristian Jones (Swansea harriers AC) 14:27 at Swansea Bay.
Jonathan Tobin (Swansea Harriers AC) 14:41 at Swansea Bay.
Paul Martelletti (Victoria Park Harriers) 14:52 at Barking.
Richard Horton (Poole Ac) 14:58 at Long Eaton.

Women
Lucy Matthews (Newcastle Staffs AC) 16:39 at Kingsbury Water.
Rebecca Murray (Bedford and County AC) 17:18 at Luton Wardown.
Emma Stepto (Cornwall AC) 17:59 at Penrose.