Dovedale Dash Details

DovedaleDash

The famous cross country race in thorpe, dovedale since 1953

sponsors & contributors

location

the dovedale dash is held in thorpe (see map). the nearest postcode is de6 2aw, but don't follow that all the way to the village church. when you are in thorpe village follow the signs to the parking
from ashbourne follow signs 'dovedale' along the a515
from buxton, turn right off the a515 at the tissington/thorpe crossroads, 4 miles north of ashbourne
from stoke or leek, follow signs to 'ilam' from the a52/a523 junction
coaches from stoke or leek should go via ashbourne and buxton road
parking for cars and coaches will be signposted on the day from the main road

registration

fancy dress is allowed, and encouraged! but please make sure it's safe. unfortunately we no longer do a fancy dress prize. no-one is prepared to risk the wrath of the competitors by judging them!!
PLEASE LEAVE SPARE CLOTHES IN YOUR CAR AS WE HAVE NO PLACE TO STORE THEM AND WANT TO KEEP THE TENT FREE
WE DO NOW HAVE WATER AVAILABLE AT THE FINISH - PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN CUP
DOGS HAVE ALWAYS RUN IN THE DASH, BUT YOU HAVE TO START AT THE BACK AND WILL BE HELD BACK 5 MINS (WITHOUT TIME ADJUSTMENT). PLAESE BE CAREFUL NOT TO TRIP UP ANY RUNNERS SPECIALLY DOWNHILL FROM THE START. ONE DOG PER RUNNER MAX! YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR DOG!
PLEASE DO NOT RUN IN SHOES WITH SPIKES - YOU CAN HURT FELLOW RUNNERS!
children 12 years and older are allowed in the main race, but parents are responsible. please use your judgement and make sure they are accompanied if you believe necessary. please make sure they start at the back - from the start the race goes into through narrow lin dale - for their safety children should not be at the front!
we did have some 'drowned dashes', 4 to be exact. in 1998, 2000, 2004, 2013 & 2019 we had to cancel the dash due to bad weather. THE PARKING IS THE PROBLEM. check the website, check the weather - click here
imagine circa 1500 runners coming to a small village in derbyshire! arrive early and share cars please
we are happy to put photographs on the website, please send them to enquiries@dovedaledash.co.uk. alternatively upload them to one of the free websites and send us a link to add to our collection
helen dunlop has created a facebook group - i love the dovedale dash - click here to join

we have prizes for 1st and 2nd man, 1st and 2nd lady, 1st under 14 boy & girl, 1st under 18 boy and girl,
1st over 60 MAN AND LADY, 1st local thorpe man, 1st local thorpe lady
in the children's race there are prizes for 1st under 9 boy and girl, 1st under 12 boy and girl
the winners of the dovedale dash get trophies to take home. it is really important to return those trophies to us before the first of JULYto Beverly bock, the old rectory, church lane, thorpe, ashbourne, DE6 2AW
we ARE USING A PROFESSIONAL TIMING SYSTEM TO RECORD POSITIONS AND TIMES. PLEASE print your name and club clearly if you enter on the day at registration please SO WE CAN ADD THAT INFORMATION ACCURATELY TO THE RESULTS. WE AIM TO HAVE THE RESULTS UP ON THE WEBSITE THE DAY OF THE RACE.
FILL IN YOUR EMERGENCY DETAILS ON THE BACK OF YOUR RACE NUMBER PLEASE for entries on the day
we are no longer providing paper certificates (reducing waste and cost), but do have an online version

the old dog, thorpe

time keeping and prizes

The Dovedale Dash depends on the support of the local community, National Trust and the Peak District National Park. The arrival once a year of hundreds of competitors and their vehicles provides us with a logistical challenge in terms of traffic management and damage to the local environment. We need to do all we can to limit this damage and ensure this great event continues for many years to come.
We would ask that you try to share vehicles as much as possible to minimise traffic in the villages around Thorpe
We would also ask that you bear with the marshals AND AT ALL TIMES FOLLOW THEIR INSTRUCTIONS as they attempt to safely park vehicles as quickly and as safely as possible. THE MAIN CAR PARK CAN GET MUDDY. THIS NORMALLY ADDS TO THE EXPERIENCE. IF IT IS WET WE WILL GET YOU ON AND OFF THE PASTURES, SOMETIMES WITH PUSHING AND HELP FROM FELLOW RUNNERS AND MARSHALS.
users of the main event car park on thorpe pastures do so at their own risk. the dovedale dash will not accept any liability for any accidents or damage incurred. should you car get stuck and need recovery from the Pastures this is at your own risk and expense. there is the option of paid parking at other car parks in the area if you do not want to park on the pastures.
cars from people only entering the children's race will have to wait until the main race starts before they can leave the pastures (number of cars coming onto the field for the main race is just too big!)
Please note that it IS necessary to not allow LARGE vehicles onto the main car parking area of Thorpe Pastures DUE to ground conditions. This is due to these vehicles getting stuck on the sometimes soft and uneven ground of the pasture which leads to delays to others trying to park and to the start of the race. This includeS larger vans and campers etc. We would advice drivers of these vehicle types to arrive early and park in the alternative car parks detailed below.
THE FOLLOWING CAR PARKS ARE AVAILABLE:
Main Car Park - Thorpe Pastures, CAR PARKING FREE - location of the event - ONLY cars and 4x4s
Alternative Car Park A - Thorpe station (Tissington Trail SK1657 5033). This car park is owned by the National Park. the np has introduced paid parking (card or pay by phone). THIS CAR PARK IS RESERVED FOR LARGE VEHICLES
Alternative Car Park B - Narlows Lane (opposite Old Dog pub SK1635 5048). This car park is owned by the National Park. THE NP has introduced PAID PARKING. There is room for approx 45 cars
Alternative Car Park C - Dovedale Garage - no longer available
ALTERNATIVE CAR PARK D - Peveril of the peak hotel - limited places for large vehicles only
From all alternative car parks CIRCA approx 10 minutes to the start of the race
PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE VILLAGE OR MAIN ROAD - THE ROAD NEEDS TO BE CLEAR FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES
please do NOT park at the old dog unless you are paying them a visit
IN SOME YEARS THE CAR PARKING HAS BEEN TOO SOGGY AND WET TO PARK - IN THAT CASE WE HAVE TO CANCEL THE EVENT, PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE BEFORE YOU TRAVEL !!

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other

This website is maintained by Erwin van Vroenhoven, any questions or comments please email us on enquiries@dovedaledash.co.uk

We have used photo's from our old website, if you have an issue with your photo appearing on this website, let me know and I will remove the photo(s)

parking

registration is possible from 9 am on thorpe pastures (cars are also parked there) at the white tent
under 12's - sign on at children's race station with a parent / guardian (registration closes 9:50 am)
There is no online pre-entry for the children's race, just turn up on time
sign on will this year be split in a couple of stations for pre-entry - collect your number there - and a couple of stations for entry on the day. there will be a maximum of 300 entries on the day on a first come first serve basis, so come early
if you collect numbers for several people, please make sure you give the right number to the
right person! you can imagine the disastrous effect on the results if you don't
PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS online Or complete your emergency contact details on THE BACK OF YOUR BIB for entries on the day!! (for online entries we have your details)
Categories are based on your age on the day of the race
PRICE IS £12.50 FOR ADULTS online pre-entry (£15 entry on the day), £7.50 FOR UNDER 18s (£10 on the day) AND £4 FOR THE CHILDREN'S RACE. Prices have increased due to substantial cost increases

the old dog in thorpe is sponsoring the dash. we are very grateful to them and hope that you will visit them when you are in the area, maybe after the race. they are our local pub in thorpe - see website
members of the ST jOHN AMBULANCE provide first aid for the event. their caravan is near the finish. their members will be collecting for their charity. please give generously
the race runs over grounds farmed by barry & stephen firth of thorpe mill farm, ian & rob smith of ilam meadows farm and sam & steward hudson of izaak walton farm and home farm. the organisers are grateful to all of them for allowing us to organise the dash
the national trust allows us to use thorpe pastures as the main site for the event. thank you
the dash is only possible because of the help the thorpe villagers give during the day. the event is a substantial disruption to village life and we are grateful to everyone who helps
tea, coffee and snacks are provided by SUPER NOSH CATERING JUST LIKE LAST YEAR. THEY always GIVE A MAJOR contributION TO THE DASH, THANK YOU FOR THAT!
we have raised about £50,000 for charity and the upkeep of the thorpe village hall since 1988 AND GIVEN TO MANY CHARITIES OVER THE YEARS (LIKE AIR AMBULANCE, LOCAL SCHOOLS, CARELINE, ETC.)