Sunday 25 October 2015

New course date for 2016: Saturday 18th June

This year will be the 11th anniversary of the Darrens Dash Hill race.  This tough event takes place in the village of Longtown (HR2 0LE), Herefordshire, close to the border with Wales. It is a charity event whose proceeds are split between Longtown Mountain Rescue Team, Longtown Pre-School and Longtown Primary School. 
Whats new for 2015 -  delete whole section please
The 2016 course will follow the same course as 2015 (see the route below).
A friendly event with something for all the family (childrens races, raffle, bouncy castle, refreshments)
Category prizes (fell race categories are used)
Delicious free tea and cakes for runners at the finish.
Longtown Mountain Rescue Team will again be providing the Mountain Safety cover.
The route
Hatterall Ridge dominates the skyline and marks the border between England and Wales.  Runners will run from the village and climb through farmland and Open Country to gain the ridge.  They will then cross into Wales with fine views of Llanthony Abbey, Pen y Gadair Fawr and the Vale of Ewyas  and then start a steady climb to the route’s summit marked at a Triangulation Pillar (Trig Point) at 552 m.  This marks the start of the swift descent along Offa’s Dyke Path until a sharp left turn and a few rock steps brings the runner to the Rhiw and the return leg that re-traces the ascent route.
Course Map
Entry restrictions
Minimum age 16.  Runners with dogs welcome, but they must be kept on the lead at all times.
Childrens Races
Different courses for Pre-school age, Infants, Lower Juniors, Upper Juniors and Key Stage 3.  Entry on the day.
How to enter
On line entry will open in January 2016.  Enter on-line: http://www.entrycentral.com/darrensdash
If you would prefer not to enter on-line you will be able to download an entry form and post it to the event organiser, Mike Fawcett. 

Tuesday 9 June 2015

New course records on the 10th anniversary race!


Longtown, Herefordshire.  Saturday 6th June 2015 - The 10th Darrens Dash Hill Race

Race day dawned with a mixture of sunshine, cloud and a couple of light showers.  The showers passed through and left a glorious running day behind. A move to a Saturday and away from Father’s Day seems to have been popular - runner numbers were the highest ever at 121.  We were very pleased to welcome travelling runners from Ilkeston and Northamptonshire as well as strong contingents from local clubs on both sides of the border.

After a warm up lap of the event field a new route took runners steeply up through Cayo Farm and to the Rhiw before entering Wales and being rewarded with magnificent views of Llanthony Abbey, Pen y Gadair Fawr and the Vale of Ewyas.  There wasn’t much time for enjoying the views however as the 552m trig point on Hatterrall Ridge was soon reached and then it was all downhill, reversing the ascent route from the Rhiw.  Chris Jones of Mynyddwyr De Cymru led strongly from the start and flew down the descent slopes to set a new course record of 40:31, followed shortly afterwards by Paul Murrin of Chepstow Harriers and Andrew Stephens of Monross Trailblazers.  In the Women’s Race Gintare Gaigal of Wye Valley Runners won in 50:11 holding off the challenge of Nikki Morgan of Chepstow Harriers and Clare Dallimore of MDC. Simon Downs and his dog Figaro were the first finishers in the Cani Cross event in a time of 67.03.  Congratulations to Ed Dickson of MDC who was awarded the ‘first local’ trophy in 50:54 having cunningly moved into the area since the last race.  MDC were on great form and narrowly beat Wye Valley Runners to the inaugural mixed team competition.

Other results:

MEN

1st MV40              Chris Harrhy, Mynydd Du

1st MV50              Tim Taylor, Hereford Couriers

1st MV60              Neil Grant, Chepstow Harriers

WOMEN

1st FV40                 Sue Shergold, FODAC

1st FV50                 Nikki Childs, Wye Valley Runners

1st FV60                 Joyce Dodd, Chepstow Harriers

NB. Competitors were only awarded trophies for their highest achievement to spread them round!


Full results available on:


80 children took place in the children’s races and showed their potential for the future.  Great tea and cakes were provided to all runners and there was a goof haul of prizes in the raffle

Grateful thanks to the main event sponsors:

Celtic Vale – who provided the race water and sponsored the event t-shirts

Arlene and Richard Clare – who sponsored the race trophies and children’s medals

Ty Bryn Cider – also used as race prizes.

The event could not go ahead without the permission and good will of the following landowners: Eric and Jean Price, Rob and Julie Bevan, Richard Prosser, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and the Brecon Beacons National Park.  A final but sincere thank you to Longtown Mountain Rescue Team who provide the mountain safety cover for the event.

Many tough runners decided to combine the race with the following day’s Magic Roundabout in the Begwyns and camped at Tan House Farm conveniently close to the Crown Inn for refuelling purposes. 

Why not join us on Saturday 11th June 2016 for next year’s race?

Mike Fawcett

Race organiser

Monday 1 June 2015

5 days to go - Enter now to claim your race t-shirt

More than 70 pre-entries received so far - the highest ever at this stage, so it should be a race to remember for the 10th anniversary!

Remember there are only special event t-shirts for the first 100 entrants so enter now to avoid disappointment:  www.entrycentral.com/darrensdash

Entry on the day will be available as well as free tea and cakes and Celtic Vale Water for every runner.  Bouncy Castle and children's races too to keep the kids happy!

Sunday 17 May 2015

Darrens Dash 2015 - 3 weeks to go - Saturday 6th June 2015

I hope you are aware of the Darrens Dash Hill race that celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year.  The race takes place in 3 week's time and has moved a week earlier in the calendar to a Saturday.

It is a challenging hill run of approximately 6 miles based in Longtown, Herefordshire that takes in some stunning scenery in the eastern part of the Brecon Beacons National Park.  This year's route crosses into Wales for the first time with a 'summit loop' and views to Llanthony and Pen y Gadair Fawr.
 
As well as the usual category prizes there is a local runners category, a Canicross category and for the first time a team category.  Each mixed team will comprise 4 runners, a minimum of 1 member per team must be female.  At present we have 4 teams entered but would love to see some more especially as several clubs just need an additional runner to make a qualifying team.
 
As an additional incentive the first 100 runners to enter will receive a special 10th anniversary t-shirt and all runners will receive a bottle of Celtic Vale water and free tea and cake.