MORE than 1,000 runners tackled the festive 10km Christmas Pudding Run in the Great Langdale Valley on Saturday.

The event has been running for 30 years and was organised for the first time by Ambleside-based youth charity, the Brathay Trust.

Participants set off from the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel and followed a new course taking in Elterwater, Baysbrown Woods and farm before returning to the starting point.

All those who crossed the finish line received a Christmas pudding and many ran in seasonally inspired fancy dress.

Irish international fell runner Sarah McCormack, of Ambleside AC, had a 'storming run' to finish second overall in a time of 35 minutes and 41 seconds. She finished behind Keswick's Mark Lamb who posted a time of 34 minutes and 28 seconds.

Among those taking part was South Lakes MP Tim Farron. After crossing the line in 59 minutes and 33 seconds, and claiming his pudding, he posted a picture on his Facebook saying he was "off to the pub".

This year the fun run, for juniors aged five years and older, was renamed the Gingerbread 3km.

It attracted more than 50 runners who got a gingerbread Christmas tree for completing the course.

Langdale Primary School helped to organise the run and provided teas and coffees as a school fundraiser.

Scott Umpleby, Brathay’s head of fundraising, said: "The weather didn’t dampen people’s enthusiasm, particularly those who turned out in full festive costume like the turkey and the polar bears.

"It’s a great privilege to take over the organisation of this popular race which sold out after attracting 300 more runners than last year. It builds on the success of our first year of organising the Langdale Marathon and Half Marathon which took place less than two months ago."

The Christmas Pudding race raised around £7,000 which will help support the Brathay Trust's work with young people.