Dauber Dash Serves as Messy, Muddy Family Reunion
For Richmond resident Becky Wright, the Henricus Dauber Dash is the best way to get family together from up and down the east coast to enjoy a great run and spend time with each other.
By: Nan Turner
Through mud, over picnic tables and hay bales, and around many other obstacles, Becky Wright will go anywhere for her family. For the past two years Wright has participated in Sports Backers’ Henricus Dauber Dash along with her three brothers, Todd, David and Peter Wyngaard. Last year her husband, Harry, joined Wright, along with their son Jonah, 18.
The Dauber Dash has turned into more than a great trail run for Wright – it now serves as a kind of family reunion. “It’s neat because I don’t get to see my brothers a lot or that often,” Wright said of the Dash. “So it’s a neat tradition we have to spend time together.”
The Dauber Dash takes place on a 5.5-mile course in Henricus Historical Park in Chester. Along the trail, runners encounter obstacles, dirt, the James River, and plenty of mud. This year the event is on June 29, at 9:00a.m., and again features a “Mud Guppies” one-miler for younger runners ages 8-14.
Becky Wright and family before the 2012 Dauber Dash
Wright says it’s the dirt and grime of the Dash that really brings out the playfulness in her family and makes the event memorable.
“It’s being out there with my brothers and watching their humor as far as sloshing along in wet shoes in the mud,” Wright said. “They’re always teasing each other about not doing enough training. We had to drag Peter across the finish line the first year.”
Although she prepares and trains for the Dash every year, one of the things Wright enjoys is how even-keeled the event is.
“Logistically it’s a good time of year because it’s after school,” Wright said. “You get the challenges of the obstacles. Dave and Pete have done some Spartan races, but with this one you get the fun of the mud challenges but it’s not to the point where it’s too crazy.”
Wright enjoys the no-pressure atmosphere of the race since there is not any timing and the focus is instead placed on pushing yourself, taking in the scenery and above all, having fun.
However that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few challenging obstacles along the way. “As much as I hate being wet,” Wright said, “the part where you go through the river is fun.”
This year’s running crew includes Wright, her brothers David and Todd, and Todd’s son, Jacob. Their sister, April Guminsky, may also race, as watching from the sidelines hasn’t quite cut it the past few years. However, the rest of the Wright-Wyngaard-Guminsky clan will still be in attendance.
“It’s a good venue for spectators. All of my family comes every year. It’s a good avenue for them to get to see it,” Wright said. “Dave enjoys the post-race beer.”
Wright and family after the Dash, 2012
This year also marks another first as Wright’s 11-year-old twins plan to compete in the one-mile ‘Mud Guppies’ race. “They wanted to run the long race, but I convinced them to do the mile run,” Wright said. “It’ll be good for them because I won’t have to check up on their training or push them to do that. It’ll be pretty easy; they have a mile club at school. They’ve just seen us all sloshy and muddy each year.”
Even though she loves the event itself, it’s the family aspect that really keeps Wright coming back for more year after year.
“It’s a neat tradition for us because it’s hard to get your whole family together at Thanksgiving or Christmas because they have other family and in-laws,” Wright said. “This race we’ve been able to rally everybody, and it’s a nice, goofy, fun family tradition. We really like the camaraderie of being out there and facing the challenge together.”
The Henricus Dauber Dash is scheduled for June 29, 2013. For registration information visit http://www.sportsbackers.org/events/henricus-dauber-dash.