Athletics - Runners flock to run for Christmas pud (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Athletics - Runners flock to run for Christmas pud

10:30am Friday 24th December 2004 in Sport By Dennis Aris

RUNNERS put their best foot forward in a 10k dash for a Christmas pudding, then they toasted Rod Berry's popular Great Langdale run by downing 45 bottles of mulled wine and trays of mince pies.

The Great Langdale Christmas Pudding Race, where every finisher gets a pudding, has become the largest event of its kind in the North of England and 500 runners lined up at Ellterwater Common on Sunday for the start of the dash to Old Dungeon Ghyll and back to a finish at Chapel Stile.

First man home was a race newcomer Peter Newton, of Sunderland-based Claremont Road Runners, who clocked 33 minutes 29 seconds to beat race regular Tom Tipping, of Helm Hill Runners, by 42 seconds.

A surprise package in the women's race was young non-club runner Rebecca Robinson, of Bowness, who stormed home in 36:39 as first lady and 19th overall.

At the other end of the age scale there was an impressive performance by John Nettleton, of Windermere, who won the over 75 category in 54:31.

The field also included a blind competitor and runners from all over the UK.

Langdale First Res-ponders helped marshall the event and are set to benefit by £500 from a charity raffle held on the day.

Results: 1 P. Newton, Claremont Road Runners, 33:29; 2 T. Tipping, Helm Hill Runners, 34:11; 3 & 1st M40 B. Thompson, Cumberland Fell Runners, 34:40; 4 C. Egdell, Hallamashire Harriers, 34:50; 5 P. Dugdale, Kendal, 34:56; 6 D. Byres, Trafford AC, 35:04; 7 V. Booth, Trafford AC, 35:09; 8 J. Buis, Lordshill Road Runners, 35:29; 9 J. Hooson, Ambleside AC, 35:41; 10 S. Pigford, Chester-le-Street, 35:50.