On Sunday morning it was the 29th Annual Merthyr Mawr Christmas Pudding 10k run. Ellen, Darren and Ben from Goodgym took on the course on what was a beautiful December day. There was about 800 entrants and everyone was full of festive cheer and quite a few were in fancy dress.

The Big Dipper

At 10am the race began, and this is the start of all starts! It begins with a dash up the largest sand dune in Europe – check the pictures! At the top there is a bit of a bottle neck which is a welcome break to catch your breath and realise how much your legs are burning! ;o) There were beautiful views across to Ogmore from this point and we then made our way back down the dunes the other side and looped to the road towards the village (not before plunging the first water hazard!). The next hill was not far away as we went off road across the fields up Home Farm Hill! The climbs get coming and they were slippery and boggy and muddy! Such Fun!

Mulled Wine anyone?

The Water station was near! Woo Hoo! But this was no ordinary Water Station – as instead of water and energy bars there was mulled wine and mince pies! Chests still burning and winter colds a plenty, the mulled wine was a welcome tonic! The run then headed off through the woods on a downhill stretch! This part of the race was fun and fast on the sand and mud towards Newton beach. Then we hit more water to wade through, some of it was planned streams on the route and the rest was just flood water! The next stretch was along the beach, a beautiful part of the run and even better – there was a tail wind to help the runners along! This part did seem to go on and on and on mind! You could see runners ahead as far as the eye could see! Eventually we hit the Ogmore river and cut back inland towards Candleston Castle and the finish. Not before a few more dunes and some longer water sections – oh Pudding Run you cruel mistress! ;o) We stayed to clap in some fellow runners and collect our prize – no medals sorry Ellen - just a Christmas Pudding!!! :o) What a fab way to spend the morning! Next year is the 30th year of the race, hope to see more Goodgymers there! Bring it on! Merry Christmas. X

Christmas Joke Alert What's the best thing to put into a Christmas pudding? Your teeth!