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
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