SIGNING ON
There is a prize for the First U14. Sign on specially, with a parent or guardian, and you will be given a special running number. The Timekeeper's decision over the award of the prize to the first U14 is final, and he will only award it to a runner with a number marked correctly which indicates that you signed on as an Under-14. (There will be other checks too - so it's no use doctoring your number with your own biro and shaving your legs.)
There is also a prize for the First Under 18. Again, sign
on specially and you will be given a distinct running number. You still need a
parent's or guardian's signature to allow you to run in the race. Again, the
timekeeper's decision will be final, and he will only award it to a runner
with a number marked correctly which indicates that you signed on as an
Under-18.
Our Timekeeper and the Marshals who report the progress of
the race have difficulty spotting the first and second lady. Would ladies,
especially those likely to be in contention for the 1st & 2nd ladies prize
please ensure that their running numbers are marked with a yellow sticker, so
they can be spotted easily. (The Timekeeper is very embarrassed about his
difficulty in telling the sexes apart, but he puts it down to the fact that
the men cluster round the ladies, who are covered with mud anyway!). All the
signing on points are equipped to mark your running number.
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Collecting Numbers for Several People
If you collect numbers for several people, please make sure
that you give the right number to the right person. If you don't, this will
have disastrous effects on the results! We have had instances of very hairy
ladies finishing well ahead of the official winning lady. We have had to
assume that this was because running numbers for wives were pinned onto
husbands and vice-versa.
There will not be a Fancy Dress Prize this year, because
no-one is prepared to risk the wrath of the competitors by judging them.
There is a prize for the first over-60 to finish (man,
woman or dog). If you qualify and wish to compete, please sign on separately.
The timekeeper will not recognise anyone who does not have a number correctly
identifying you as Over-60. Its no good complaining after the event that you
finished before the prize-winner if you didn’t register as Over-60. Its not
much use complaining even if you did, as the timekeeper’s decision is final.
SPONSORS & CONTRIBUTORS
The management of the Izaak Walton Hotel has sponsored this
event. The organisers are extremely grateful.
Members of the St John Ambulance provide First Aid for the
event. Their caravan is near the finish. They have Rough-Terrain ambulances
capable of accessing all parts of the course. The Marshals are in contact with
the start/finish area and can summon help if required.
The race runs over ground farmed by
- Messrs. Barry & Stephen Frith of Thorpe Mill Farm
- Mr. Ian Smith of Oxleisure Farm, Ilam
- Messrs Sam & Stewart Hudson of Izaak Walton Farm and Home Farm, Ilam
Please respect their fences, gates and livestock. Gates
are opened round the course. If there is a queue, please wait. Do not
trample down fences or hedges to get through. There may be barbed wire in
these, and people have been injured in the past, quite apart from the
annoyance to the farmers at having to repair their boundaries.
Thorpe Pastures, where we are now is the property of the
National Trust, which allows us to use the site for the event. We are grateful for
that permission.
The residents of Thorpe and their friends organise the event,
sign on, register finishers, marshal the course and organise the car parking.
The event is a substantial disruption to life in the village, so that we are
grateful to everyone who helps. All the money raised from the event is used
charitably to support local causes.
About £28,000 has been raised by the Dash since 1988.
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