For the Gathering Winter Fools relay, organised by Keighley & Craven, we fielded a women’s team. The weather was cold: sun overhead and ice underfoot. Leg 1 runners Sharon and Cat set off carrying Ruby the Reindeer baton.

They beat the cut-offs, but Ruby the Reindeer baton didn’t make it further than Leg 2, staying in the hands of Jenny and Hilary, who had dressed properly for such an honour. (Jenny searched for months for her special speed-inducing ear-muffs.)

Lisa and Kate set off with the mass start of Leg 3, tinsel in place.

They just missed their cut-off, finishing in 46 minutes, and arriving to see the mass starters of Leg 4 setting off down the canal. Leg 4 was Rose and Liz, who managed to survive the abandoned shopping trolleys and the picturesque ginnels of Keighley, making it back in 1.12. The team came placed 32nd of 42, in a Keighley & Craven turkey & bauble sandwich.

Full results are here. NLFR sends its best wishes to Julian Hood of Barlick, who broke his ankle on Leg 1, and salutes the runners of Bingley and Wharfedale who stopped to help him. The conditions were icy and treacherous, despite the sunshine, so well done to everyone who raced. Even Ruby the Reindeer.