Fun runners smash record
Reporter RECORD numbers took part in an annual fun run along the coast on Boxing Day.
The Woodlawn Xmas Pudding Fun Run in Whitley Bay attracted 1,066 participants - a 21% increase on last year’s 883 runners.
Brenda Boyd, secretary of Woodlawn School’s Parents & Friends Association, said: “Over the years the number of people taking part has increased gradually. In fact if the weather is bad the number goes down. “This huge jump in participants was wonderful but unexpected. We ran out of puddings and certificates. Thankfully everybody was really good about it and many runners re-gifted their puddings to people who crossed the line after them. “We’d like to thank everyone who took part for their great good humour and effort, including all those who helped organise and marshall the run.” The North Shields Poly Athletics Club and Woodlawn Parents & Friends Association prepared 1,000 Start Fitness bags with a Christmas pudding and a certificate. In previous years, bags and puddings have been left over. More than 700 people took part in the event in 2012. This increased to 811 in 2013 and 850 in 2014. Boxing Day 2015 was wet and cold and only 744 hardy souls took part, before the numbers rose again to 883 last year.
Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell, who has started the run every year since 1997, said: “It’s an honour to be asked to start this race. It’s for excellent causes and is a real community effort. I want to say well done to the organisers and everyone who took part.”
Whitley Bay Comrades Club opened at 9am so that registration could take place indoors, and runners and supporters could buy warm drinks.
For the second year running, the first man home was Callum Johnson, of Gateshead Harriers, who finished the course in 15 mins 24 secs.