THE Bromham Pudding Run has entered its 27th year this year, with hundreds competing to take home their own Christmas pudding.

The fun run has become more popular with each year that passes, with this year’s race filling up in just 24 hours.

Originally organised more than 25 years ago by Chris Greenwood and Rosalind Mortimer of the Friends of St Nicholas VC Primary School, with help of the Chippenham Harriers and advertised locally and in a national running magazine, it was decided the race would be held in December as few races take place at that time of year.

It was then decided that everyone who had pre-entered the race was to be given a free Christmas pudding that had been purchased from the village shop.

The first year that the pudding run was held was very frosty but it still proved a great success, with people travelling from all over the country to take part. The police helped with the traffic and signs on the main A342, with St John Ambulance also attending.

Paul Mortimer, a governor of St Nicholas VC Primary, said: “The race is always run on the first weekend of December and pulls together the whole community to help with marshalling, food, timing, traffic management. The atmosphere is always fantastic and come rain, frost or sunshine, everyone has a smile and a cheer for the 500 runners as they race through the village.”

The race has raised funds for different groups since its inception, with St Nicholas VC being the organisation to receive the funding for the past seven years.

Pete Wallace, chairman of governors for the school, said: “The race has been fundraising for my organisation over the years, it has been a big part of the school’s fundraising.

"In our time the numbers of people taking part has increased from 300 to 500. This year it filled up in record time.”