Sunderland Harriers are celebrating the return of their annual Christmas Pudding Run on Boxing Day (Sunday 26th December) at Silksworth Sports Complex.
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. Although, last year’s event took place it was much smaller than normal with just 24 participants, setting off in waves; who still managed to make the most of the opportunity to meet up as a club, in fact it was the last event for four months due to the subsequent lockdown. To celebrate the event returning to normal this year every finisher will be awarded a small memento.
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, prize winners must have paid the £2 entry before the deadline of Tuesday 21st 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
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 in the Cavalier; unfortunately we missed this opportunity last year due to restrictions in place at the time. We will be returning this year and the prizes are bigger and better than ever. However to receive your prize you must be in there.
"How can I enter?" you ask, well just approach Albert James, Eddie Maddison, or Nathan Reed with your £2 and you're sorted. You can even offer your £2 at the Harriers' Christmas party on Saturday 11th December.
Good Luck!