Dursley Sport
Dursley Dozen preview
9:00am Thursday 9th February 2012
ORGANISERS have made changes to the Dursley Dozen course for this year’s race on Sunday, writes Rob Iles.
Extra off road sections have been added to provide more varied terrain in one of the largest events to take place in the town.
The course is still approximately 12 miles, but there will be two extra miles of muddy woodland for runners to contend with on a more picturesque route.
Organiser Graeme Hawkins, of Dursley and District Athletics Club, hopes the new course will be a hit with competitors, although times are likely to be slower than previous years.
He said: “We wanted to move people off the road.
“Most people think it is an off road race – we call it multi-terrain – but we’re just trying to make it more interesting.”
Almost 500 people have entered the race, which will start at 10.30am outside the Old Spot, but Dursley and District runner Garry Hughes won’t be able to defend his title as he has a knee injury.
* Alice Lewis was the sole Dursley and District entrant in the Rough and Tumble. This ten-mile race in the Wiltshire Countryside serves up three climbs for the runners, going from a challenging start up Milton Clump to a gruelling ascent of the Giants Grave before descending to the finish.
Lewis joined the great and the good in finishing the event with past alumni of the race including Helen Skelton of Blue Peter and running legend Sir Chris Chattaway, completing the course in 01:40:53 in 264th position out of 509 runners.
The club runs from Dursley Rugby Club on Tuesday nights. Meet 6.15pm for 6.30pm.
Visit www.dursleyac.org.uk/cms for contact details and information.