Twelve hardy Dashers braved the wet Bank Holiday Monday to race over the fields, tracks, woodland and moorland around the Scarecrow Village. The ascent was gradual enough to be ‘runable’ but the relentlessly boggy ground made it hard going. The cheery marshals deserve a special mention for just being there in such awful weather.

Mark F, still not back to his mythical form only managed ninth place and was followed in by ‘new boy’ Brain Shaw who’s not raced for over 5 years – Good one Brian. Now Mark’s really got something to worry about! Brian’s better half, Jacqui also took part in her first fell race for some time, while their children managed to empty Brian’s wallet at fair.

Kevin dropped me on the climb and, like the last time we raced, just left me.  Pete, with his London Marathon souvenir sore hamstring took it easy and left me with my pride. I was welcomed at the finish with comments such as ‘Did you get lost?’ Oh how I laughed.

Good to see Rebecca racing again, at long last, and Owen McGill on his first fell race as a Dasher. Barry, as support crew, was pulling fleecy jackets from a rucksack at the finish, but sadly mine wasn’t in there.  I must mention my Mum too; she was there at the start line with a sandwich and flask for me. She must think I’m such an ungrateful son.