Sold out Puddin Race helped raise funds for SAMH
PERTHSHIRE butchery brand Simon Howie has hailed its first ever 5km Puddin Race initiative as a ‘resounding success’.
The Burns Night-inspired run sold out within just a few weeks with over 500 runners keen to run for a haggis all in the name of supporting mental health charity, SAMH.
Held on Sunday 25 January – Burns Night – at Simon Howie’s headquarters in Dunning, the first-ever event welcomed runners of all abilities and all ages to take part in a feel-good race designed to boost wellbeing, celebrate Burns Night and raise funds and awareness for SAMH.
Donations were invited from all the runners taking part in the event and over £1,000 was raised for SAMH before the race had even started. Despite some drizzly weather, the 5k started in high spirits with a piper accompanying the runners over the start line.
Despite a challenging route, with steep uphill sections, winner Alastair Marshall was named ‘The Great Chieftain o’ The Puddin’ Race’, setting a strong time in the process.
The morning also featured a Kids’ Fun Run and, whilst it was not officially timed, it allowed younger contestants to be part of the fun.
The Puddin’ Race formed part of a wider January fundraising initiative from Simon Howie which also included the brand’s Sideburns Night campaign, a nationwide challenge encouraging supporters to row their sideburns out in the lead-up to Burns Night and donate £5 to SAMH.
Following the success of the event, Simon Howie has announced it is exploring future editions of the Puddin’ Race.
Simon Howie, founder of Simon Howie Foods, said: “As the UK’s number one haggis brand and a family business putting on a family friendly event that welcomes people of all ages, both from the local community but also from further afield, to join us here in Dunning to celebrate Burns Night has been extremely special.
“The weather this month has been brutal but this really has been a celebration of us hardy Scots. We don’t let a bit of rain stop us turning up, especially if there’s a haggis to win! Our organising team, Clair Howison, James Tree and Scott Thomson have pulled out all the stops, so I want to thank them personally for all that they have done.
“What began as a bit of a whacky idea has turning into a massive post-Christmas blues-buster.”
