• Under 14's

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.)

• Under 18's

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.

• Ladies

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.

• 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.

• Fancy Dress

There was once a Fancy Dress Prize but no longer because no-one is prepared to risk the wrath of the competitors by judging them.

• Over-60s

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.

• Dogs

Dogs have always run in the Dash and there has never (as far as I know) been a problem. You are welcome to run with your dog as long as it doesn't cause problems. There is no prize for the first dog home.

• Izaak Walton Hotel

The management of the Izaak Walton Hotel has sponsored this event. The organisers are extremely grateful. Please see their website at www.izaakwaltonhotel.com

• St John Ambulance

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. Their members will be collecting for their charity. Please give generously.

• Farmers on the Route

The race runs over ground farmed by

• Messrs. Barry & Stephen Frith of Thorpe Mill Farm
• Mr. Ian Smith of Ilam Meadows 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.

• National Trust

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.

• Peveril of the Peak Hotel

The hotel help us out by making their car park available when we have trouble getting cars onto the Pastures. We're grateful for their support. See their website at http://www.peverilofthepeak.co.uk/

• Tea Tent

Tea, coffee and snacks are provided by Roger Woolley. Roger and Graham have done this for years despite the challenges of brewing up on the Pastures. It is difficult for them and we should all be grateful. They always contribute most (or more?) of what they make on the day to the Dovedale Dash causes. Roger runs the regular refreshment stall at Dovedale car park, so when you are there in the summer, please sample his ice creams and remember that the hot drink you got at the Dash was Roger's contribution.

        About £35,000 has been raised for charity by the Dash since 1988.

• Poster

If you would like to let your friends and colleagues know about the Dash then this year's flyer can be found at DASH_FLYER

Author: Andrew Wager - Last changed Tuesday February 16, 2010 19:52