Race Date: Thursday 11th July 2024

Race Report by Martin Downham

Race Summary (and key information)

Spencers Dash is an annual 3 race series evening race (held on a Thursday)

Distance: 3.8 mile open roads (with and without foot paths) and trails. (all turns are to the left). Strava = 6.02km / 105m total elevation)

Terrain: road, pavement, stony track, muddy and gravel path (no gates)

Entries should be made in advance. There are no entries on the day

The next race is scheduled for : Thursday August 29th. A T-Shirt is also available to purchase

Pricing: 3 races with a T-shirt (Aff £25 / Uff £27) or without a T-shirt (Aff £20 / Uff £22). Single race (Aff £7 / Uff £9).

Race reception opens at 6-00pm on the night. Keep your race number for all three races.

Bag drop is available in the club (at your own risk). Toilets are also available, however there are no changing facilities.

Prizes! You must run all three races to qualify for any prizes. Times of each race are added together to calculate the winners. These are presented after the last race. There are no results on the day. Results are available on Barnsley AC web site or via Racebest.

There is limited parking at the club so park sensibly, nearby.

Take instructions from the Marshal’s. Headphones are not allowed as you cannot hear traffic

Report

The Spencers Dash is a long established (over 20 years) annual three race series which starts in Barugh Green (just outside Barnsley). It is a 3.8 mile loop run mostly on open roads and pavements with a short uphill stony trail section. After a gentle downhill section from the start, there are 3 significant climbs (which total 105m on strava). The most notable is the long straight drag (under the M1) to the finish line, (somewhere just around the last gently sweeping bend).

The final race date for 2024 is: Thursday August 29th, so there’s still time to catch this pleasant rolling run (nothing too steep either up or down).

Despite the 7pm start, it was still a very warm humid evening. We were very lucky in that after a day of almost continuous rain, it was just about dry during the race. Given the recent rain there were a couple of puddles and a short muddy section. Taking care for about 10m, road shoes were fine.

Thanks go to Barnsley AC for organising this enjoyable and popular event and to the many enthusiastic marshals at key points on the course.

With 2 out the 3 race series under the belt, I’m near compelled to complete the third and final event in late August.

Post race ponder. Who is that with the starter gun? He pops up everywhere!

 

Two Striders were among 105 runners who lined up for the 2nd Spencers Dash of the year. Scott Hinchcliffe of Barnsley AC won the men’s race in a time of 00:19:42. The women’s race was won by Lisa Clarkson of Barnsley Harriers in a time of 00:24:27.

Strider Results