Race Date: Saturday 28th December 2024
3 legs of 2 runners per leg so a team of 6 runners. Each leg is approximately 5 miles
The Winter incarnation of the Dronfield Round Run shares many features in common with the summer version, but with enough variation to make for a highly enjoyable re-visit of familiar ground.
Capably hosted by our friends at Dronfield RC, the 3-leg route is run in reverse, starting at the usual Coal Aston Village Hall changeover point, traveling anticlockwise via The Angel at Holmesfield and the Unstone layby to return to the start for drinks and socialising at the Royal Oak.
The Twixt’mas scheduling made for a far muddied affair than the summer outing typically offers and the reverse route means a re-think of elevation, team strategy and navigational prompts. All this added to the fun in my view, and proved a welcome antidote to the Christmas lethargy and excess.
Striders managed to muster two teams of six runners (the legs are each run in pairs) in a field of eight teams, along with a small gaggle of solo runners tackling the full round. In the end, Striders bookended the results table in style. Token awards were presented in the pub but, as always, the real reward was the friendly challenge of the event and the local club comradery.
As an event, I’d recommend it heartily. The organisation (both by Phil Howson and the DRC team, and by Laura Mella for the Striders contingent) was impeccable, the handicaps were well managed and made for an exciting finish and the free beer/drink in the Royal Oak was the icing on the cake.
As a Strikers-funded event this makes for unbeatable value and it would be wonderful if this inaugural event could gain better attendance in the future as it deserves to become a regular highlight of the club calendar.
Striders Results:
The imaginatively named Striders Team 2 were the race winners in 2.16.09, with the equally imaginatively named Striders Team 1 coming in last place in 2.41.41. There were 9 teams altogether.
Striders team 2:
| Leg | Name | Time |
| 1 | Martin Slack | 47.23 |
| 1 | Nicky Rafferty | 47.23 |
| 2 | Mandy Taylor | 49.04 |
| 2 | Lizzie Russell | 49.04 |
| 3 | Ben Elliott | 39.42 |
| 3 | Neal Pates | 39.42 |
Striders team 1
| Leg | Name | Time |
| 1 | Karen Clark | 1.04.20 |
| 1 | Dave Beech | 1.04.20 |
| 2 | Jo Gleig | 57.12 |
| 2 | Nada Ross | 57.12 |
| 3 | Warren Brown | 40.09 |
| 3 | Adam McAuley | 40.09 |
There was also a full round of the Dronfield Way. This was also handicapped so ideally they should all finish at similar times. There were 5 entrants with Strider Josie Hill off second. Roughly 15 miles later, Martin Kadziola, who started first, finished first. Josie lost a place to Liam Turner and evenually finished 3rd out of 5. Well done Josie.
| Pos | Name | Time |
| 3 | Josie Hill | 2.28.12 |
Full results:
