Sheffield’s most popular 10k run lived up to its reputation last Sunday despite an early start and a bitingly cold day.
The Percy Pud 10k takes place every December in Loxley Valley and has sold out for the last ten years in a row.
This year 2800 runners took part. And instead of a traditional medal they were given a Christmas pudding and a custom beanie hat to get them in to the holiday spirit.
Organised by Steel City Striders running club, the fun run began in 1993 after the new mayor of Sheffield suggested that clubs and organisations should put on events to commemorate the centenary of the Sheffield Lord Mayor.
Angela Lally, a keen runner from Sheffield, took part in the annual run on Sunday.
She first got into running at the age of ten after seeing her dad give up smoking in his 40s and commit to fitness.
“Seeing him going out really made me think, well that’s what you do, you just go out and run,” she said.
Ms Lally ran the Percy Pud for the first time this year, and said it’s always been on her radar.
“It’s quite an iconic one, people come from all areas.
It attracts quite a lot of fast, serious runners,” she said.
The festive run saw professional long-distance runner, Eilish McColgan partake five years ago.
The 10k is not just for competitive runners and also attracts groups in fancy dress, festive wear, and people running for charity.
Steel City Striders themselves work with a number of local charities to reinvest funds raised from the race back into the community.
Previous beneficiaries include St Luke’s Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Support, St Nicholas Church, and local primary schools.
Ms Lally ran the route in 45 minutes, 40 seconds, which was 25 seconds short of her personal best and placed her 17th out of 199 in her age category.
Prospective competitors are advised to register for the fun run as soon as possible, as the event sells out quickly and entries are capped at 3000 people.
Entries for the 2023 Percy Pud 10k will open next Autumn.
