THE Boxing Day Fun Run held in aid of Holy Cross Hospital proved to be as popular as ever this year with 545 runners taking part.

The 3.5-mile, off-road charity run started at the Devil’s Punchbowl Hotel and took runners over Hindhead Common, Gibbet Hill and the Devil’s Punchbowl.

First runner to complete the course was Paul Lowe in 22 minutes and one second. The result of the Men’s Drinking Race was very close with just one second separating Jon Fairs and Luke Shearring from first and second place. Sarah Hill came first in the Ladies’ drinking category and Becky Robinson was the first to cross the finish line in the Ladies’ non-drinking category.

Organiser and local resident Matt Dellar is a supporter of the Friends of Holy Cross Hospital and will be donating 100 per cent of the race profits to their work. Holy Cross in Haslemere is a specialist hospital for people with severe disabilities and long-term conditions and helps them achieve the best possible quality of life.

Holy Cross chief executive Christopher Hinton, who took part in the race, said: “As always, the race was most efficiently organised by Matt and his team.

The weather was wonderful and there was a fantastic atmosphere.”