Get your trainers on for the Dymock Half Marathon…

By Tony Watts - Editor - 03/04/2008

For all you runners out there looking for a challenging but highly enjoyable run-out this May, the Dymock Half Marathon is now taking entries. It all kicks off at 11:00am on Sunday 25 May.

 

It’s probably one of the smaller halves around – which adds to its charm and friendliness – and it’s set in the beautiful countryside around the Gloucestershire / Herefordshire border. Having run this last year I can vouch for the fact that it’s one of the very best too and I certainly plan to make the trip.

 

The start is on the Hereford side of Dymock, about two miles from the village. The course then proceeds through Dymock to the outskirts of Ledbury and returns to Dymock via Much Marcle.  The finish is at Dymock Cricket Club.  The course, through rolling countryside, can best be described as “undulating” with a couple of teasing hills along the way.

 

That said, the course record - 1 hour 5 minutes 46 seconds – shows that quickish times are not impossible and the event is open to serious runners, determined novices and joggers alike.  Safe and secure parking facilities, changing rooms, toilets, etc, are available at Dymock Cricket Club, where ‘on the day’ entries will be accepted from 9.45am to 10.45am. 

 

There are prizes for leading ladies, gents and veterans, with certificates for all who finish, besides T-shirts, spot prizes and perpetual awards. The organisers, Dymock Cricket Club, encourage charity runners and previous beneficiaries include Headway and Mencap, but this responsibility remains with the entrants.

 

For those of you who have only ever run in a big city race, this is a refreshing alternative – with changing facilities in the cricket club, a chance to enjoy half a pint of cider after the race in the bar, and cameraderie between all the runners as you make your way to the start in the back of a 4x4! Last year’s race got a great rating on Runners World – with a 100% vote to “do it again”.

 

If you are interested in taking part in this event, write to  Mr J Gurney, 37 Old Dean Road, Mitcheldean, Glos GL17 0BH for an entry. Or, if you’re a Runners World member, check out the event on their website.