The Dovedale Dipper took place on the 1st of August with three members of Grantham Running Club taking part. Seasoned event pros Robert McCardle and Catherine Payne and Caroline Davis who made a return to the event for the first time in a few years.
There are 2 distances to choose from: the Big Dipper at 26.4 miles and Little Dipper at 15 miles and an early (fast) mass start at Hartington Village Hall.
The race takes an anticlockwise route through the Dove and Manifold valleys, nipping onto the Tissington Trail before heading west. At mile 15 both the Big and Little Dippers reach Ecton Hill which feels nearly vertical with 369 feet of ascent. At Milldale, participants run alongside the River Dove for about 3 miles before the final stretch back to Hartington.
Though it is a hilly event, the stunning scenery made it worth looking up and around.
Caroline finished in a time of 6:0:35, Catherine in 6:08:08, followed by Robert in 6:09. As always, the event provided tasty hot food at the end so runners were able to a sit and chat before heading off home.
A new event organiser also introduced wearable tech in the form of wristbands so runners could be tracked on course.