Where Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan
When December 16, 2007
First Man Mark Jennings 34:07
First Woman Bethan Strange 42:43
Last Finisher 1:32:20
No. of Finishers 630
Runners tackling the Christmas Pudding 10K ended their racing year on a high, literally, by scaling Europe’s biggest single sand dune, the Big Dipper, in the first kilometre of this challenging multi-terrain race.
Organisers Brackla Harriers ensured the fun didn’t stop there on this single-lap course: a second long climb, rough moorland and several streams towards the finish, coupled with magnificent scenery throughout, offered great variety and raised temperatures and heart rates on a bitterly cold December morning.
With the number of entrants to this event growing every year, some runners suggested entries should be capped at 700. While the start was a little congested, the main overcrowding gripe was due to the lack of toilets at the start.
There were no complaints about the finish though: hot soup warmed up cold competitors, all of whom received a souvenir Welsh slate coaster and goody bag containing a festive Christmas pudding.
This race might be hard work, but a straw poll of runners at the finish suggested this is many people’s favourite race, making the 98
per cent approval rating no surprise.
