Over 200 Participants Join Weymouth’s 10th Annual ‘Chase the Pudding’ Charity Run

A festive running event, involving over 200 individuals, was held to generate funds for a charitable organization dedicated to offering water sports experiences to young people. The tenth iteration of the “Chase the Pudding” event featured participants, many clad as Santa, pursuing individuals in Christmas pudding outfits across a three-mile (5km) course along Weymouth beach in Dorset. This yearly festive fundraising initiative supports a charity established to honor the memory of Will Mackaness, a local student who passed away from a brain tumour in 2008 at the age of 16. Pam Govier, representing The Will Mackaness Trust, commented that it “was a wonderful atmosphere” and indicated that they “raised about £3,000.” She further stated, “For me, it is the start of Christmas.” The route for the runners extended from the pavilion section of Weymouth Beach to the Greenhill stones and then returned. A “Chase The Elf” alternative, spanning 1.2 miles (2km), was available for participants younger than 14. The funds generated are earmarked for facilitating water sport opportunities for young individuals residing in Weymouth and Portland. Ms Govier remarked, “It’s wonderful to see them develop not only their water sports skills but their confidence and resilience, which will help them in their futures.” Updates from BBC Dorset are accessible on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. Please note that the BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Further details regarding our policy on external linking are available.