Henricus Dauber Dash Brings Father, Daughter Closer Together
By: RaShauna Hobbs
Have you ever heard the saying, “A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman, he turns her back again”?
Chester resident Mark Rash knows the meaning of that saying well. Last year he walked his daughter, Kristina Gladin, down the aisle for her wedding. But, in his mind, she will always be his little girl – his little girl that he loves to run with and spend time with. To stay healthy and active together, Mark and Kristina participated in the Henricus Dauber Dash in 2011, just one week before Kristina’s wedding.
Mark, a former University of Connecticut soccer player, and Kristina will take on the five-mile run again this year, braving challenges like the Cypress Hill Sink Hole and the Pocahontas Picnic Pounce, which are just two of the 10 outrageous obstacles found along the course.
Over 600 people joined the duo for the scenic trail run that ended in Buttercup’s Mud Pit – Buttercup of course being the stately female pig that lives at Henricus Historical Park, site of the Dauber Dash start and finish.
In addition to running through mud pits and obstacles, the actual location of this race helps make it even more unique. The Dash is a chance to get down and dirty while observing the beauty of the Citie of Henricus, one of America’s oldest settlements, and the historic feel of this course will come to life with colonial re-enactors at the start and finish.
For those parents whose children are not quite old enough for the full race, there is a one-mile Mud Guppies race for kids ages 8-14 with the famous ingredient, MUD! This kids-only race kicks off at 11:00 a.m. and will finish in the same mud pit that the five-mile course does. All participants will walk away with a souvenir t-shirt, complimentary soda or beer, and recovery food. For the top three male and female finishers, as well as the lucky winners of the “Best Mud” and “Best Costume” contests, there will be additional awards.
With all these crazy elements and obstacles, the Henricus Dauber Dash makes for a great family activity.
“I absolutely loved it!” said Mark. “The best part was getting a chance to run with my daughter.”
So, whether you are a father looking to spend just a bit more time with your little girl, like Mark, or a daughter looking to bond with the most wonderful man you know, like Kristina, the Henricus Dauber Dash has it all. It is a great chance for families and friends to spend time together getting active, exploring history, having fun and getting just plain down and dirty!
Online registration for the Henricus Dauber Dash is available until June 21 at 11:59 p.m. Walk-up registration will be available on event day for an additional $5. For further event details and registration information, visit www.sportsbackers.org or call (804) 285-9495.