Hundreds of runners burned off thousands of Christmas calories in the annual Boxing Day run in aid of Holy Cross Hospital.

The run began at the Devil’s Punchbowl Hotel and took participants across the beautiful Hindhead Common, Gibbet Hill and the Devil’s Punch Bowl.

The run is organised every year by Matt Dellar to raise money for Holy Cross – a hospital providing specialist care to people with very complex needs often caused by profound brain injury or serious neurological conditions.

Holy Cross chief executive Christopher Hinton took part in the race and said: “The 2016 Boxing Day run was in many ways the best ever. Almost all the places had been sold before the day and there were more than 600 runners at the start.

“In lovely winter sunshine, town mayor Sahran Abeysundara thanked the sponsors Keats estate and lettings agent, Sports Locker, Haslemere Travel and Hogs Back Brewery and all the runners for taking part. He reminded the runners how the run supports Holy Cross before wishing them well and sending them on their way!”

The course took runners on the established route along to the trig point at Gibbet Hill then a swooping descent into the Punch Bowl, across the stream and along the valley.

This year the mud was easily avoided before runners started on the long uphill track to the transmission mast. From there it was a fast level run to the finish outside the National Trust café.

There was also a drinking race over the same 3.5-mile route where runners were served a pint of winter ale at mile two.

First across the finish line was Paul Lowe who completed the course in 21 minutes and 47 seconds. The fastest woman and winner of the ladies’ drinking race was Emma MacReady with a time of 24 minutes and nine seconds. Martin Footman won the men’s drinking race in 22 minutes and nine seconds.

Matt Dellar said: “More people than ever before took part in this year’s race.

The weather was perfect and it was great to see so many people enjoying themselves. There were several in costume dressed as Father Christmas and one as a snowman.

The organiser added: “Many children took part and there were crowds of well-wishers at the finish to cheer the runners home.

“It all contributed to the buzz which has always been such a feature of Haslemere’s Boxing Day Run and keeps runners coming back year after year.

“I think the runners and their supporters appreciate getting out in the fresh air after Christmas Day to raise money for such a great cause.”

Proceeds from the run will be presented to Holy Cross, where work is in progress to install piped oxygen and suction into patients’ rooms.

The project has been funded from charitable donations including the past two years’ runs.