TWO fun runs attracted large numbers of runners and raised hundreds of pounds for good causes.

The Forest of Dean Athletic Club (FoDAC) held its annual Christmas Tree run at Ellwood, while Caldicot Running Club organised its first which was held in the grounds of the town’s castle.

The FoDAC race raised £128 for research into Parkinson’s while the £300 raised in Caldicot will go to the fund to help local man Matt Williamson return home after a work accident in New Zealand in which he broke his back.

There were 237 runners for the Christmas Tree race, which is one of the hardest races in the local calendar with 875ft of climbs and descents in the area around Ellwood.

Caldicot Running Club captain Nathan Reeks said the turnout of 104 runners for the two laps of 1.3 miles was “absolutely superb”.

He added: “We’ve only been going for four years, so this was a massive thing to be able to do.

“We couldn’t have done it without the help of Caldicot Castle Football Club, who Matt used to play for.

“Matt’s accident was a tragedy for him and we wanted to help the fund-raising to get him home.”

The first man and woman home in the Christmas Tree race were Marcus Bennetto in 35mins 7secs and Georgie Prior in 41mins 56secs.

The canicross race – which features runners and their dogs – included current world champions Ben Robinson with Zofie and Kim Mazzucca with Ice.

Henry Evans and Chloe Morgan were the first runners to finish the two kilometre race.

•See more photographs in this week’s Review.