Internal Club Events
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Over the course of the year the club arrange four events that are only open to club members. A bit of detail on each of these events can be found below:
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Blind Dash – Held in Early June
What's this Blind Dash I hear you say? Well firstly it is competitive, but it's not a race, so no prizes for the fastest time. Instead it's a run where you have to predict your finishing time for the course before the start, and then try to run that time blind with no watches, GPS, heart rate monitors, MP3 players, iPhones etc to help you. The winner will be the person finishing closest to their predicted time. But beware - if you finish even 1 second faster than your predicted time then you're disqualified! The course is on the Long Walk - the start will be at the top by the castle gates and you will run up to the Copper Horse, go round it, and then run back to the castle gates. This is 5 miles to within a few yards.
What time you chose to predict for yourself is entirely up to you - you can burn up the course or you can take a leisurely stroll to the Copper Horse and back, it's entirely your choice. Just don't forget however that you have to go through the kissing gate twice and cross Albert Road (carefully) twice as well climb up to the Copper Horse and back down, so it's perhaps not quite as straight forward as it first appears.
A link will be posted for you to enter and to predict your time, or you can fill out a little prediction form on the night (enter in advance if possible please). Remember to keep your prediction secret however so that others don't use you for a bit of crafty pacing. Not that it's worked for anybody in the past mind, as usually around 75% of people disqualify themselves by running too fast.
The club is open as usual, so please arrive in plenty of time so that we can ensure we have all the predictions done and be ready to leave to run up to the start at 7:10 after announcements for a 7:30 start. If you're late you can still predict your time and run, but you'll still be timed from the moment everybody else started and we won't tell you when that was - you'll have to make a guess from where the other runners are on the course.
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Divided Dash – Held in Early July
The Divided Dash is a fun 10k team relay race around the outside of Home Park. Teams of 4 are drawn at random and each team member does a leg of 2.5k, one after the other, to make up the 10k. To make it interesting however all runners are handicapped based on their recent race performances, but none of the competitors know what their handicaps are.
Who wins?
The overall event winners are the fastest team once the handicaps have been applied - this could be the last team to finish the race or the first. There are also prizes for:
- the fastest individual runner
- the fastest runner once the handicaps have been applied
- the fastest team on the night
- Anything else we might think of
Actually, everyone wins, because there is free pizza and drinks (not free) after the race (please make sure to say if you're a vegetarian when you register).
How do I enter?
A link will be sent out near the time for you to complete, you CANNOT enter on the night. When you enter you need to provide a recent time for a measured race, preferably a 5k or 10k; please remember to provide both the time and distance, and don't forget to say if it's miles or kilometres. And be honest - we can check! Please avoid entering Ultras etc as this makes handicapping hard.
But what about the teams? How do I get on a team?
Teams are drawn at random. Please enter as detailed above and our master handicappers will work out the handicaps, draw up the teams at random, then post them on the website, mailing list and in the clubhouse.
What if I want to come along but not to run?
All club members are of course welcome, but we do need to know if you're coming as a spectator as we have to order the food in advance based on the numbers we're expecting. If you want to come and socialise please fill in the entry form and select the 'cheering' option.
Can I help out?
Yes please! On the evening we'll need a couple of timekeepers & recorders and perhaps a marshal or two. If you'd like to help out please let me know, but don't forget to still register on the form so that we know numbers for food.
I've entered but it's just before the event and I can't make it! What do I do?
- If the teams haven't been published, please let us know and we'll remove you from the entry list
- If the teams have been published, let us know and we'll try to arrange a substitute.
- If it's the day of the event, please let us and one of your team-mates know. We will try to arrange an alternative runner.
Please, please, please don't simply not turn up – it makes things very complicated for everybody!
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Jim Banks Handicap - Held in late August
This free handicapped 5k event is open to all Dashers and is followed by a free fish and chip supper and drinks at the bar (not free). The course will consist of the regular 2 lap 5k course round Home Park, with the winner being the first person across the finish line. The difference is however that you are all given a handicapped time and will start based on that time. This means the slowest runners will start first, with the others starting at timed intervals until the fastest runners start last, often after the early starters have completed their first lap!
How do I enter?
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A link will be sent out near the time for you to complete, you CANNOT enter on the night. When you enter you need to provide a recent time for a measured race, preferably a 5k or 10k; please remember to provide both the time and distance, and don't forget to say if it's miles or kilometres. And be honest - we can check! Please avoid entering Ultras etc as this makes handicapping hard.
Handicaps will be published before the race and it will be your responsibility to get yourself to the start line on time. If you miss your start slot then you can still run, but you’ll be putting yourself at a disadvantage.
Times will be taken for the winners only as if we get the handicapping right it'll be a blanket finish making it impossible to record individual times, so if you want to know your time please bring your own watch.
What if I want to come along but not to run?
If you're not currently in running shape you're still most welcome to attend the social, but we do need to know you’re coming so that we can ensure we order enough food, so please also complete the entry form, but select the spectator option.
Can I help out?
Yes please. We will need a few people on the night to help out marshaling and setting everybody off at the right times, if you're happy to do that please tick the relevant box on the form.
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Jules Jog - Held in late October
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The Jules Jog is the traditional final event of the club championship. It is named in memory of a former club member who left us too soon. No need to book - just turn up on the day by 9:20.
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The route is approximately 7.4 miles starting at Bishopsgate heading out into the Deer Park towards the Copper Horse. The route may change if there are other events going on in the park at the same time so listen out for instructions. You can download / view the current Jules Jog Marshal Map here.
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A lot of the route will be familiar to you if you run regularly in the park or if you run the Windsor Half Marathon, although there are a couple of lesser-run roads or roads run in the opposite direction to usual.
Parking is along Bishopsgate Road. The number of spaces available is not huge, and we're not sure how many other users will be there at that time in the morning, so if you can car share, come by bike or perhaps park elsewhere and run to the start then that may be a good idea. It's not that far along Rhododendron Walk from Savill Gardens so that could be an alternative.
Can I help out?
Yes please. There are 5 marshal posts that need cover, ideally with 2 people on each, so if you're not running and fancy helping out please could you let me know ASAP. It would be useful if some have bikes else you'll be racing the runners to get there.
What if I want to come along but not to run?
After the event there is the option to adjourn to The Fox & Hounds for refreshments. If you're not running then please feel free to come and support and then join us to celebrate the end of the season, and the start of the next.