Pudding Dash is tasty stuff

Many of the line-up entered into the seasonal spirit by donning festive fancy dress for the popular five-mile race in the stunning grounds of Ashburnham Place.

At the head of affairs it was a one-two-three for the Beech Grove Academy, all of them junior men. Philip Huleat was the winner by 29 seconds in a time of 27 minutes and 21 seconds, while Ivan Menz pipped Nils Menz by a second for the runners-up spot.

Teresa Barford was the leading lady in 33:13, a time which placed her 33rd overall. Beech Grove Academy unsurprisingly scooped the men’s team prize and Hastings Runners clinched the ladies’ equivalent.

Race director Martin Burke, of Nice Work, said: “I guess it is hardly surprising in December to say conditions in the woods were a little tricky and huge credit must go to each and every runner who ran in that mud! But the weather itself turned out to be quite decent for running.

“We have had some great feedback from runners about the day and it would appear quite a few of you actually enjoyed running in the mud!”

Leading finishers: 1 Philip Huleat 27:21, 2 Ivan Menz 27:50, 3 Nils Menz 27:51, 4 Mark Goodman 27:58, 5 Stuart Piper 28:58, 6 Stuart Shields 29:35, 7 Danson Njoroge 29:47, 8 Jack Butchek 30:14, 9 Dan Harwood 30:30, 10 James Smith 30:38, 11 Paul McCleery 30:41, 12 Paul Bennett 30:41, 13 Matt Southam 30:58.