A small selection of Stilton Striders and a dog braved a bitterly cold Sunday morning, with a biting wind which was enough to make your eyes water, to stand shivering in the middle of a field in Lycra for the Great Dalby Dollop.
The race started off with a section of undulating lumpy fields, which were not kind to the ankles, as an assortment of cow pats were dodged. Next, some slippy sleeper things for added instability and a few stiles were conquered before an uphill climb with plenty of trainer stealing mud and some rather overly familiar bramble.
After a quick water stop, just after the halfway point, there was a short section of well received downhill tarmac before everyone’s favourite… a damp, ploughed field. More muddy fields were then covered by the runners followed by another uphill trudge through a farm possessing plenty of strong ‘country smells’. Once over that experience, there was a bit more uphill before finally an interesting wave effect field to exhaust runners further as they bobbed up and down before approaching the finish line.
The Dollop was a thoroughly enjoyable, well organised, 4 mile local event involving runners, kids, walkers and plenty of Canicross entrants. A relatively small race by comparison but meaning no giant queue at the toilet beforehand and a more than sufficient supply of good cake and soup at the end. Surprisingly, there were three different finishers medals to choose from with some pretty fancy rosettes for the four-legged participants.
Congratulations to Andy who was the first male to cross the line. Other runners included Helen Metcalfe (and son), Andy Nicholls, Shaun Staff (plus supporters), Dan Giblett (and son), Ben Pickard and Jeff (with Laura supporting) and Sarah Lawrence (no show from the husband as he just doesn’t get running). Natalie Teece was also one of the organisers.
Would definitely recommend.
Sarah Lawrence