Hundreds brave bitter conditions for Chasewater run - in pictures

Hundreds of people braved the cold in festive outfits – including as the Grinch – as they took on a run in Staffordshire.

Tracy Lissemore, Angela Power, Paul Jones, Graham Williams and Ann Lissemore all dressed up for the race.

More than 700 runners from far and wide turned out in Burntwood for the annual Chasewater 10k and 5k Christmas Pudding Dash.

And they bravely took on the bitter conditions in costumes and Santa hats as the Christmas cracker of a race got under way early on Saturday morning.

Even Rudolph made it through the challenging course.

Carol Whitehead and Nicky Brierley, both from Telford, travelled in for the race.

A lone runner rushes through the fog, which obscured the lake.

Sharon Middleton from Walsall, Abbie Barton, Becky Barton from Willenhall and Lisa Roberts from Wednesbury all took on the course.

Zoe Russell and Claire Whittaker braved the cold and brought some festive outfits for the run.

Matthew Seal dressed as Santa as Ian Rowlands took on the role of Rudolph in the cold.

Runners Ann Marie Jervis, Danielle Adams, Sue Jordan, Helen Dickson and Kathy Parkin took on the course.

The race started outside the Innovation Centre, with runners heading clockwise around the reservoir after a loop around the centre.

Runners covered two laps for 10k and one lap for the 5k event, with the route marked using large route arrows to guide people.

And, after racing around the icy and muddy trails, they finished with a festive treat – with mince pies, a medal and Christmas pudding offered to all finishers.

Lisa Miller and Erica Gould both from the Chasewater Runners got festive for the occasion.

Youngsters were also able to take on the course through the Children's Santa Dash.

Race organisers Nice Work congratulated those who braved the cold and completed the course, tweeting: "Well done to everyone who took part in the Chasewater Pudding Dash."

A sweep marshal did a lap of the race at the end to ensure nobody was left behind and all runners were accounted for.

Youngsters raced off into the fog for the children's event.

Times were recorded through an electronic chip before being uploaded to the website – with each person receiving a copy of the results to keep.

In the 5k race, Josh Hickinbottom completed the course in 18 minutes and 33 seconds – narrowly edging James Jennings, who came in only three seconds later.

Dylan Illidge finished third in 19 minutes and 15 seconds.

Mike Shelton and his bear braved the icy conditions.

In the 10k race, Marcus Mcdonald finished in 37 minutes and 32 seconds.

Mark Woodburn-Drayton came second in 38 minutes and one second, with James Barfield finishing in 38 minutes and 35 seconds.

Another race will be Chasewater Country Park on April 12, with a 10k and 5k for the Chasewater Easter Egg race.

Jack Taylor dressed as a Christmas tree for the event.

Anyone interested in taking on the race can visit https://www.nice-work.org.uk/races/ChasewaterEaster