Weymouth prepares for annual Chase the Pudding charity event
Santas, elves, pantomime dames and many other fabulous festive characters will gather on Weymouth Beach (Pavilion end) to take part in the annual Chase the Pudding race on Sunday 15th December.
Registration is from 9.30am in the Weymouth Pavilion Ocean Room followed by a warm up from 10.45am by fitness trainer Gina Hartley, with the race starting at 11am. Everybody is invited to come along to cheer and support this colourful Christmas event on Weymouth seafront.
This year’s Chase the Pudding will be started by Wessex FM breakfast presenter Dave Goulden along with Weymouth Town Mayor Cllr Graham Winter and stars from Cinderella, this year’s pantomime at Weymouth Pavilion.
Brand new for 2019 is the introduction of a female pudding. Mr and Mrs Pudding will now be chased along the beach by hundreds of Santas creating one of the great scenes of the festive season.
The Chase the Pudding race is approximately 5km and is from the Pavilion end of the beach to the groyne at Greenhill and back again.
The Chase the Elf race for under 14s will start five minutes after the Chase the Pudding and is a 2km race to the Pier Bandstand and back.
All race entry fees and event sponsorship will go to the Will Mackaness Trust.
For full entry and registration details for both races, please click here.
Participants and supporters will be entertained in the Pavilion Ocean Room by Ed Hintze playing Christmas carols when the runners register and return from the chase. Competitors and spectators are also welcome to purchase refreshments from the Pavilion, with lots of warming and delicious food and drink on offer.
In addition to this, there will be Christmas stalls and a raffle. If you’re interested in running a stall, please email govierp@weyvalley.dorset.sch.uk
The event, now in its 12th year, was originally set up by successful local sports event organiser Mark Steen, Director of BustinSkin. Event organisers were delighted with last year’s event and are aiming for yet another big turnout this year, raising lots of money for local charity the Will Mackaness Trust.
Mayor of Weymouth Town Council Cllr Graham Winter said:
“The Chase the Pudding event is a brilliant spectacle and full of fun, clearly established as a festive favourite for Weymouth.”
“Local events like this help to raise awareness and money for countless worthwhile charities and good causes across the town. The Town Council is delighted to provide support to the Chase the Pudding event and I encourage everyone to go down to the seafront to cheer on the runners and join the festive fun.”
Pam Govier, Will Mackaness Trust Director, said:
“We are very excited to be hosting the fabulous Chase the Pudding event on Weymouth Beach. It’s an amazing sight watching hundreds of Santas and elves chasing a big bouncing Christmas pudding along the beach.”
“Come along to help us create a truly memorable experience.”