You did it!

The weather forecast certainly wasn't promising - 50 mph winds, extensive hill fog down to 300m and persistent heavy rain! A quick emergency route choice had to be devised and 30 brave runners took up the challenge.  A newcomer to the Darrens Dash - Duncan Birtwistle of Harrogate Harriers - won the race in fine style in 36:00 whilst the first lady home was Emma McWilliams from Mynydd Du in 40:50.

The childrens fun run also attracted 18 entrants who battled it out on the slippery course.  A bouncy castle, raffle, BBQ, produce stall and fantastic teas and cakes compensated for the dampness.  Many thanks to all runners who took part and a particular big thank you to Longtown Mountain Rescue Team who provided marshalls 'on the hill', to the farmers / landowners who let us use their land, to the Wye Valley Runners team who manned the registration desk and finish line timing and to all the event sponsors without whom the event could not have taken place.

More than £500 was raised for Longtown School and Pre-School.

1 day to go

The course is now set!  There are still places available to enter on the day.  Its firm and dry underfoot at the moment but the forecast for tomorrow promises something a little different.  Cloud, wind and rain are going to make this unique course a little bit tougher.  Don't be deterred you can be sure of great tea and cake at the end and you can sport your new Darrens Dash baseball cap with pride after having tackled this tough new course.

Look forward to seeing you tomorrow.  The route to Longtown is signposted from both Pontrilas and Pandy on the A465 or Satnav HR2 0LE.

Four days to go!

Although the event is filling up fast there are still sufficient places for runners to ENTER ON THE DAY for both the Darrens Dash Hill Race and the Castle Canter Family Fun Run.

We certainly won't turn anyone away and lots of lovely cakes are being baked in anticipation for hordes of hungry runners.

It looks like Sunday will start dry and bright producing a firm, fast course with occasional showers coming through to cool down runners in the afternoon!

The route to Longtown Community Primary School (Event Centre) will be signposted from the A465 from Pontrilas (Hereford direction) and Pandy (Abergavenny direction). 
Satnav: HR2 0LE.

Look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Darrens Dash Course Map - 12th June 2011

10 days to go!

Please note that the day and time of the event are different from previous years: this event is on Sunday 12th June at the earlier time of 2 pm.  All previous events have been Saturday events and have started an hour later.  It does mean that this year the mad among you can do the 'Man v Horse' on the Saturday and the 'Darrens Dash' on the Sunday!

There are still plenty of places left, so don't delay get your entry in to benefit for the pre-entry discount (it's almost worth a pint).

On Sunday I ran in the excellent Crocodile 8 event at Tillington in Herefordshire.  The course was as dry as I've ever known it and a new course record was posted by Luke Mason from Wye Valley Runners.  At the moment conditions on the Darrens Dash course are also very dry, but being a hill course this could all change in the next 10 days.  One things for sure there will be a new course record on Sunday 12th as it's a brand new course!