All about the Dash

There are few local races more picturesque than the Ali Clark Memorial 10k.  Formally known as the Dalton Dash, the course takes you out of the Dalton Hall estate onto part of the Yorkshire Wolds Way, where the struggles uphill are compensated for by some spectacular views.

Our visit to South Dalton nearly came to a premature end when the event ambulance got stuck in the mud as it turned off the road through the estate. Fortunately a gang of willing helpers managed to move it including, as you can see in the photo, James Drewery with mum Jo supervising!

Stuck in the mud on the Dalton Estate

With our medical cover back on the road, I headed to the start line with Jo, Amy, James, Keith, Paul C and Amy’s friend Olivia.  It is a tough course but Amy, in her first run since joining the club, took a good three minutes off her previous PB. I was delighted with my 54 minutes as that knocked five minutes off my 10K PB.

Paul was two minutes faster than his 2022 time for the race, helped by Elliot, who was there spectating, joining him for the last few hundred metres which marks the tough uphill section that finishes this course. You can always rely on KUHAC friends for support!

In Memory of Paul Wardell 1986 - 2016

I had a personal reason to run this particular race as it gave me the chance to celebrate the memory of my good friend Paul Wardell. He worked for a local business on the Dalton estate and had repaired or helped to build many of the buildings around us that morning. It was a particular pleasure to see Paul’s mum (Mary) again for the first time since his funeral. She thanked me for remembering her son and for running his favourite race in his memory. “If Paul was here today, he would have been proud of you”, she said. I am certain he would have loved to have joined our KUHAC family.

 

I thought this race was particularly well organised by Humber Triathletes and brilliantly supported by the residents of the estate and local surrounding villages.  All the way round the course, the marshals were calling out support – a good reason to get Claire to put your name on your club shirt as a personal shout-out really helps when you hit the tough part of the course!

As we crossed the finishing line we were given not only a medal but also a very thoughtful Ali Clark buff in memory of the runner after whom the race is now named. I would also recommend the flapjack provided by the nearby Michelin-starred restaurant, The Pipe and Glass – delicious!

Well done to everyone involved in this event. Definitely one I would urge you to consider in future years.