Hoad Hill Harriers (Ulverston) Xmas Pudding 10k race report by Tony:
Christmas pudding seems to be one of those love-it-or-hate-it foods. I’m firmly in the love-it camp and a bit of a sucker for any race that gives one away just for finishing.
Sheila and I entered this race last year but heavy snow the day before resulted in cancellation of the event, so entries were carried forward. Thankfully the weather was rather better this time. Despite the name the race fortunately doesn’t include Hoad Hill itself, which is a steepish hill right next to Ulverston topped by the impressive Sir John Barrow monument. Instead it’s a predominantly flat course mostly on open public roads starting at the Glaxo factory south of town. After initially heading towards the town centre it hangs a left to run south on the Bardsea road. Another left takes you on a loop through the extensive grounds of the former Conishead Priory (now a Buddhist retreat) and then back onto the main road. It then heads back into town the way you came and finishes at the Glaxo sports club.
There were some impressive finishing times from the couple of hundred or so mostly seasoned-looking club runners taking part. I managed to sneak over the line i 48:58 minutes (not been there for quite a while!) while Sheila completed it in a very respectable 59:04. Altogether an enjoyable race which we’ll probably do again.
Tony achieved 2nd in his age category.
