"Dovedale Dash"

One of my "running intensions" (see blog back in January) was to run some different races than I would normally enter, so today I ran the famous "Dovedale Dash" for the very first time. It's an event I have meant to enter for years but never got round to for one reason or another. The race is famous for its opening downhill "charge" into the valley of Dovedale (pictured)quickly followed by running straight through the River Dove. Now in its 54th year the race although only 5 miles is by reputation a real tough one at the best of times, but today the rain lashed down accompanied by gail force winds to make it even more of a challenge!

Starting by a small registration tent (£4 & no forms to fill in!) on the top of the hill the start was manic with over 1100 runners charging , sliding and falling down the first hill. The river ran up to the thighs and was freezing. I started far too conservatively but steadily picked runners off over the next couple of miles of climbs, descents and mud, but my final climb back up to the finish was pretty awful as the previous day's 10 miles in the hills finally caught up with me! I finished 222nd in 40.27 which isn't very good but there wasn't much more I could have put in and it was certainly something different. I will be back!

All in all a fantastic end to a great week of running with 34 miles in the bank which has included everything, speed on the track, hills and lots of mud!

Annual mileage 1054