Yes, you read that correctly.  Britain is full of bizarre and unusual traditions and events.  Let us not forget, for example, Gloucester’s annual cheese-rolling event, in which people chase a block of cheese down an extremely steep hill, a 200 year old tradition which not even the rationing of WW2 could break.  The Great Christmas Pudding Race, held annually in Covent Garden Piazza, doesn’t have quite the history behind it as that, but it has been running for over a quarter of a century, which lends it some credence. And it needs it, for this is one of the strangest races you’ll ever see.  

Contestants work in teams, and get dolled up in fancy dress for the occasion.  Reindeers, birds, cartoon characters – they’ve all made an appearance at some point.  The racers then load up a tray with a Christmas pudding on a plate, and proceed to the racetrack.  But this is no ordinary race track: it is a course comprising various obstacles of the incompatible-with-Christmas-pudding variety, such as bouncy castles and slides, not to mention sections is which contestants must adorn their pies with bits and bobs.  Needless to say, the whole thing is a mess of giggling and falling around all over the place, and everyone has a jolly nice time.

It may seem like one of the wackiest raced you ever see, but it's actually a fun and festive way of raising money for charity, namely Cancer Research UK.  The Cancer Research Aid Committee (CRAC), a voluntary branch of Cancer Research UK, are responsible for organising the event every year, and 2010 saw £19,000 being raised for the charity.  This year's will be the 31st year that CRAC has run this event, and they are helped out by local businesses and companies putting together teams and entering the race – because who doesn’t want to see their boss dressed as a reindeer zipping down a blow-up slide with a Christmas pudding on a tray?

The event has always taken place in Covent Garden Piazza, one of London’s focal points and most popular areas for visitors.  The pedestrianised piazza itself is one of the prettiest squares in London, as well as containing the famous Covent Garden market, and the area is full of shops, restaurants and theatres.  If you are coming to London you will doubtless find yourself in Covent Garden at some point; if your visit happens to fall on the 3rd December 2011, then stopping by the Piazza to support the contestants in the race – or laugh at them if you prefer, which is just as valid an option – then pop along.

The race starts at 11am on the 3rd, so pop down a little while beforehand to get a good view, and enjoy British eccentricity at its finest – and most charitable.