The original plan was to get together and celebrate Christmas by running a 20km Strava art 'elf portrait' but for everyone's elf and safety I decided we would be better off with a shorter route. Hope everyone didn't think it a s-elfish decision and that you'll agree it turned out to be a good i-deer...

Then one foggy Christmas week

Amy messaged Juli and said,

'Juli with your brain so bright, won't you guide our run in Christmas tights?'

Then how the GoodGymers loved her

as they shouted out in glee,

'Juli the creator over the reindeer, you'll go down in history!'

Juli's stag-geringly brilliant reindeer route took in 12km of residential Maidenhead streets, including many a comedy u-turn to draw the tines of the antlers. A big thank you to Juli's partner Nick, who helped with navigation on the way round and well done to everyone on their festive attire, which raised a few cheers from passers-by.

When I got home, my husband asked how the run was. I said, 'It was great but freezing outside, making it a bit of a red-nosed run dear.'

Two of our group, Sophie and Steve, used today's party to tick off their 19th 'December Daily Dash' in support of Sue Ryder. Well done to you both - the rest of us will have to buck up our i-deers and join you next year! Here is what they reported about the morning's ant(ler)ics:

Sophie:

Such an epic route and so funny doing the antlers ! Thank you Juli and Nick for leading us even though we had no I-deer. I found the whole morning very reindeering. But I’m going to rein it in a bit tomorrow and stick to 5km for my next dasher…

Steve:

Deer Amy, Many thanks for Comet to the fun run. It was Blitzen good. You Dasher off very quickly. I Donder how you kept a good pace. As we all Prancer along the Maidenhead back streets, I Ruldolf made a good time but struggled like a Dancer at the back. I had a Vixen good time. Thanks to your good elf and good luck to everyone taking part in the December Dash. It's all for a good Claus. This is snow joke!

If you're looking for more festive running opportunities, then grab some lights and head over to Braywick on Tuesday evening for the Winter Solstice Freedom run on the parkrun route. All details and sign up here.