Sunday November 6th.
The Summer Series traditionally ends with a bang on Bonfire night at Langley. It’s an excellent race, local with a friendly atmosphere in the church hall to go with the tea and cakes and we always pick-up a few prizes. It was not practical this year, it clashed with Boggart Hole Clough.
Dovedale Dash always had the risk of being a damp squib; a short race, a long drive and not only cross-country the previous day but also the final opportunity to do a park run for the Series. A strength of the Series is that Tony always refreshes it by giving us some new races, the risk is that one day he’ll pick a bummer. Numbers were low, I’m not sure how low, I saw less than 10 of us.
Arrival was inauspicious, a 20 minute queue to get into the car park. Out of the car into a biting Artic wind, I feared for registering 1000+ runners on the day but registration was efficient. The lady automatically gave me a red over-60 number without my asking my age, which I thought presumptive. Then the knock-on from the parking problems, a 15-minute delay on the start. This heralded the beginning of the rain, or was it sleet?
It was a mass downhill start. I got it wrong standing too close to the back. It was very congested and in my area the chaotic charge was further confused by at least half a dozen dogs trying to find a path through. I was frustrated, downhill is my strength, but I could make no progress through the crowd.
I had somehow expected the river crossing to come at the end, but it was in the first mile. Most took the macho approach plunging straight into the water. However, there was no queue at the stepping-stones and filling your shoes with water at the beginning was a doubtful benefit.
In contrast to me Chris had a good start but lost out first to Janine, then Di Bygrave and then, in the climb to the finish, to John. Another 10 yards, he says, and he would have been Gailed. Jeremy, Bernard, Tony and Tim were also out there somewhere, presumably ahead of Chris.
I caught Don on mile two and as we crossed the river the second time, this time on a bridge, I could see Julie ahead. We were half-way, I felt I could catch Julie but I needed more, the final three-quarters of a mile was uphill, where she would be better. I was also looking-for, but failed to see, Carolyn. Julie, I passed around 4 miles and was helped by the race grinding to a halt about 100 yards short of the finish. It took no less than 7 minutes to get to the finish, by which time I was getting cold. But then we were a further 15 minutes in the funnel, one person, on a tablet, typing-in the numbers of over 1000 runners. The rain continued, the wind was icy.
‘Nice little race’ Gail texted – been on the Prosecco again?
In truth it is a potentially pleasant course if they were to cut the numbers by a quarter and found a second car park. Tony said the numbers were lower when he ran it last year, certainly will be by at least one next year.
I’ve gone to press without the results, fear they may be some time unless Don has found a shortcut.
Did I say it took nearly an hour to get out of the car park at the end?
Ian
Hahaha nice race yes but flippin cold at the end, mad crazy finish funnel.. shame they got that bit wrong and the parking, would of been a corker otherwise !!! maybe better timed in August in warmth ;-))
Glad to see you enjoyed it Ian , a good race to toughen you up and stretch your capacity to cope with all types of stresses. Well done all who made the trip. Where else in the world would you get 1000 plus people charging down a hill for a 4.75 mile race. It ranks along with cheese rolling , and other extreme British events . A little known fact the River Dove is the coldest river in England .
Well run Tony. I couldn’t catch you up that last hill. Well done everyone who braved the icy wind and rain and completed the course.
A video of the start is on I Love dovedale dash facebook page
Well done to all that made the journey. I am somewhat confused however by Ian’s write-up as Boggart Hole Clough is next Saturday 12th November and didn’t clash with Langley yesterday. Simon and I went to support our runners at Langley where Peter Speake won the race and Di McVey was first lady and 8th overall.
Correct Roy! Be a worry otherwise, as we have a planning meeting tomorrow night! And if course it’s race one of the Winter League! Nick.
Despite the biting wind chill at the start, feet numbing icy dip in the first mile, slippery mud & stones & hypothermic queue at the end, this was a great course and a fun event. Sadly the conditions meant that there wasn’t much time for socialising.
By the sounds of it, I got off the car park pretty quick, thanks to Cat & Andy for letting us out.
Above post was by Carolyn!
Hi it’s Cat! Not sure how to log in as me yet! I felt quite intimidated when I arrived with such a big field of runners, most of whom were very familiar with the race. A delay is always a bit frustrating but when we got going, I loved it. I had to hold my place for the first mile as there was little wriggle room to get through. That’s good for me as I tend to charge off too fast and pay the price. Great terrain, didn’t mind the weather and good novelty to end on a steep hill. I’d definitely do it again, a bit more savvy about how to get a beneficial start. Well done Wilmslow runner’s and young Bigrave gold medal!!
I’ve already pasted this link on Don’s post… But in case you missed it, there’s some excellent pics here.. Including a great pic of Jeremy and dog crossing the river… (Tony- it comes as no surprise to me that the Dove is the coldest river in the UK !)..
http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/dovedale-dash-2016-see-if-you-appear-in-photos-from-the-annual-event/story-29872260-detail/story.html
Bernard
I enjoyed the run, more fun than a flat road race and great as a one of a kind. However, I did manage to dislodge one shoe on the fast downhill at the start and had to stop and risk being run over but fortunately I survived! Only to later on in the race leave both shoes in the mud and lost about 30 places whilst I retrieved them and put them back on. Note, to self bring and use some electrical tape!
If they could sort out the parking, perhaps have a couple of entrances/exits and use a different system at the finish then they would have fewer runners shivering. As everyone receives a ‘certificate’, they could print labels for each position and stick them on the certificates, that way you could be handed your position, walk to the registration tent and get one of the volunteers to record your number and position. Simple.
Many thanks to everyone that have provided the race reviews, statistics, photos, etc.
Last race of the series, lowest Wilmslow turnout, most website posts.
Must be something in it.