1500 People take part in the Dovedale Dash near Ashbourne

Over 1500 people took part in the Dovedale Dash this morning and over 50 children took part in the children's race.

It was a beautiful autumn morning with a cool breeze and bright sunshine to welcome competitors and spectators who had come to the spectacular Dovedale setting for the 56th Dovedale Dash.  The run is approximately three and half miles long and takes runners through the river Dove at the Stepping Stones and along Dovedale into Ilam and then follows the river to Coldwall Bridge before following the route of the river back to Dovedale and the steep climb back the finish post.  See our separate photo gallery showing the scenic route of the Dovedale Dash here.  The children take part in a race of a shorter distance around the bottom of Thorpe Cloud and then follow the river up to the Stepping Stones and then to the finish post.  Quite an arduous route for children, the youngest competitor being three and half years old. 

The Dovedale Dash has become a very popular event with many loval people and local school children taking part.  Ashbourne Running Club had over 30 people entering the race.  Some running and sports clubs do travelling a considerable distance to take part in the event.

The race is organised by Cyril and Barbara Challinor of Thorpe and a small committee of people, but many people from Thorpe village help on the day of the race with stewarding and marshalling,  This year's race was sponsored by the Bentley Brook Inn at Fenny Bentley, members of staff from the Bentley Brook were in attendance to present cups to the winners.

The cup for the winner of the Dovedale Dash went to Mr Ian Phillips of Matlock who ran the race in 27.43 minutes. The Under 18s Cup was won by Kristian Edwards. The cup for the lst Lady was won by Christine Howard;  lst Thorpe Lady was won by Alison Wainwright; lst Over 60 runner was won by Simon Brisler and it was an excellent day for Oliver Sadler who the cup for Under 16s and also the cup for lst Thorpe Man. The full results are available on the Dovedale Dash website herel