Weymouth Beach: Chase the Dinosaur sees huge turnout

Hundreds of spectators watched on as T-rex’s, pterodactyls and triceratopses raced across Weymouth beach for the first ever Chase the Dinosaur event.

Dino’s raced from the pavilion end of the beach, all the way to the pier bandstand and back to raise money for the Will Mackaness Trust.

It was a pre-historic party on the sands as everyone donned their best costumes and danced along to Walk the Dinosaur by Was (Not Was), best know for featuring in Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs.

One particularly well dressed dino was Kevin Church who sported a fantastic diplodocus costume.

He said: “This is my kind of thing. I get to dress up and it’s also for a good cause.”

Kevin Church (Image: Hollie Carr)

The winner of this year’s adults’ event was Dan Prince who now has the honour of being the dinosaur that everybody chases during next year’s event.

After crossing the finish line, Dan said: “It was hard, but good fun and for a really good cause and it’s a lovely day for it.”

Winner: Dan Prince (Image: Hollie Carr)

Sarah Lawson and Claire Dubock could also be seen in some roar-some costumes.

They said: “We’re here to chase a dinosaur, and any excuse to dress up is great.”

Claire added: “It was my daughter that inspired me to do this.”

Claire Dubock and Sarah Lawson (Image: Hollie Carr)

Weymouth Mayor Cllr Kate Wheller was also present, showing her support for the event, noting her joy at how far some people had chosen to travel to be a part of the event.

Cllr Wheller said: “It’s a beautiful morning and it’s great to see so many dinosaurs – It’s fantastic.

“For the first year, I think it’s absolutely fabulous. People have turned up from all over the place, there’s even a couple here who came down from Southampton.

“It’s a great charity to support and it’s so lovely to have something happening at this time of year.”

Weymouth Mayor, Cllr Kate Wheller (Image: Hollie Carr)

The all new event was organised by the Weymouth BID in support of the local Will Mackaness Trust - which is expected to have provided a big boost for the town outside of the main season.

It coincides with the launch of the BID's new interactive dinosaur trail.

On your marks. Get set. GO (Image: Hollie Carr)

It is based off of Chase the Pudding which takes place annually in December and sees hundreds of people dressed up in Santa suits, running along the beach with the aim to be the first to capture the Christmas pudding – also in aid of the Will Mackaness Trust.

The Will Mackaness Trust was set up in 2008 after Will, an avid sportsman who took a full and active part in all aspects of school life, died from a brain tumour.

One of Will’s passions was water sports especially windsurfing, and the trust’s aim is to give more water sport opportunities to the young people of Weymouth and Portland, so they too, can experience the fun and exhilaration of windsurfing, sailing, paddle boarding and kayaking for themselves.

Founder of the trust and Will’s mum, Pam Govier explained how ‘excited’ she was for the event.

She said: “It’s a really fun way to get people together. We Are Weymouth are working to bring people into the town and supporting a local charity.

“Dawn from We Are Weymouth got in touch and said they wanted to launch this week-long dinosaur activity in Weymouth. I don’t know how we got chosen but it’s lovely and I am so pleased - Everybody loves dinosaurs, and the event has really captured people’s imaginations.”

Pam Govier (Image: Hollie Carr)

Pam shared her thanks to everyone behind the event and those who have supported it.

Check out our full interactive photo gallery at the top of the page.