Sunderland Harriers annual Christmas Pudding Run will return to its traditional Boxing Day date. Hopefully this will lead to a bigger and better event as last year only saw 37 finishers when the event was held on the 27th December to avoid a clash with a Sunderland football match.
For those of you who haven't partaken in this seasonal event, it's your chance to give it a try. For those who have enjoyed the event since it was restarted in 2016, here's your chance to have another bash. We are hoping to better the record 68 finishers from 2018. Thanks to generous sponsorship by Allinson’s Glaziers finishers will be awarded a small memento. Entries will be £3, this goes towards the cost of hosting the event.
For those who are unfamiliar with the event it takes the form of a sealed handicap and will be held over the Sunderland 5k course. The sealed handicap was a regular feature of North East road races up to and including the 1960s, before it dwindled out.
The Run is just for fun but can also give you an idea of 5km shape, the event record is 15:12 by Oliver James in 2018. It is open to all Sunderland Harriers and friends of the Club. To be eligible for one of the super prizes, entry must be made before the deadline of Tuesday 20th December.
Final placings will be decided using sealed handicaps which our totally unbiased organisers, no really, calculate in advance, hence the entry deadline. Everyone is in with a chance of winning. Previous winners are:
2016: John Archer V50 – 27:34 Fastest on the day: Barry Maskell - 16:25
2017: Emily Powell U11 - 25:09 Fastest on the day: Andy Powell – 15:23
2018: Jak Jarvis U13 – 21:47 Fastest on the day: Oliver James - 15:12
2019: Jacob Waterston U13 - 22:45 Fastest on the day: Joe Pomfret - 16:46
2020: Ed Sweeney V55 - 19:15 Fastest on day: Michael Wilson 15:34
2021: Glenn Forster V60 – 22:45 Fastest on day: Stephen Jackson 16:26
2022: Michael Hill V55 – 22:52 Fastest on the day: Craig Gunn 15:59
The course is the traditional Sunderland Harriers 5k footpath course with the downhill start, circumnavigation of the lakes, and finish on the grassed area near the bridge which crosses the stream; and the Run starts at 10:30am. Please ensure you familiarise yourself with the course before the start as we don’t want anyone going the wrong way!!
One of the highlights of the event is always the presentation which will be again held in the Barnes, where you will be able to purchase food and drinks whilst the results are tabulated. This year’s prizes are bigger and better than ever but to receive your prize you must be in there.
"How can I enter?" you ask, well just approach Vicky Haswell, Eddie Maddison, or Nathan Reed with your 5km seasons best or best estimate. You can even sign up at the Harriers' Christmas party on Saturday 9th December.
Good Luck!