Ripon runners club will hold their annual ‘Jolly Holly Jog’ on December 29.

The event starts at 11am and is a challenging 10K run around Ripon’s scenic parks. 

The race starts and ends at Hell Wath nature reserve, next to Ripon City Panthers Football club, and features a variety of terrain with sections in woodland, ‘short steep climbs,’ and footpaths of Studley Royal deer park.

A total of 950 runners have entered the race and it is currently at maximum capacity. Entry fees started at £17.50.

The Jolly Holly Jog is not only a good way to burn off unwanted Christmas calories but will be for a good cause.

The event is supporting the local Salvation Army in Ripon and attendants are asked to bring a donation for the local food bank. A tree will also be planted for each entry.

Multiple athletic clubs will have competitors in the race, such as Harrogate Triathlon Club, Knaresborough Striders and Ripon runners club. Some competitors are coming from as far as Essex and Durham to compete.

Competitors are also reminded that the woods are home to large groups of deer and to give them a ‘wide berth’ if encountered on the trail.