Runners Find the Fun in the Henricus Dauber Dash
Trails, obstacles, and mud pits combine to give participants some down and dirty fun – and a change from the normal race routine – in the Henricus Dauber Dash.
By: Nan Turner
Craig Handford has run marathons, watched the clock, and tried to break personal records countless times – but it wasn’t necessarily always fun. Finally, after years of training and racing, Handford found the excitement he had been missing in the Sports Backers’ ‘Henricus Dauber Dash,’ a 5.5-mile trail run complete with obstacles and two mud pits at Henricus Historical Park in Chester. This will be Handford’s third time participating in the Dauber Dash, and he looks forward to it every year.
Handford and his family are from Nottingham, England. He lived there for 36 years, and they came to America in 1995 when his daughter, Abbie, was 12. While living in “Robin Hood country” he raced in the Nottingham ‘Robin Hood’ Marathon.
Handford’s first Dauber Dash experience came in 2011. He ran by himself and signed up because he was looking for something different, and that’s certainly what he got from the trails and obstacles.
“The first year I wanted to do the best I could because I’m a runner,” Handford said. But, he quickly learned that it presented a whole different set of challenges than the usual road race. “The obstacles affect your time and you get out of your rhythm and pattern,” Handford explained. “I did terrible and I was devastated. I was surprised it took me as long as it did.”
For his second attempt, Handford ran with Abbie, now 28, and it was a much more enjoyable experience the second time around. The two stayed together and he “dragged her through the mud.”
Abbie (left) and Craig Handford (right) in the Dauber Dash mud pit
This year both father and daughter will again be participating in the Dash, which takes place on June 29, although they haven’t decided yet if they’ll be running at the same pace. There’s a chance Handford may go it alone and try to break his 2011 time, coming in under 45 minutes.
Regardless of his time, Handford knows that he and his fellow participants are in for a memorable experience. “It’s a nice park, interesting course, fun event, and the way the finish is organized is well orchestrated,” Handford said.
Although the race is challenging, the obstacles haven’t proved too difficult for Handford.
“I’m getting old but I’m not that old,” Handford said. “It’s not too bad. I wish there was more involvement with the river to wash the mud off of you. The big hay bales are certainly a challenge.”
Overall his favorite part of the Dauber Dash is the fun, light-hearted nature of the event, which makes it different from other races he’s been a part of. After years of training and pushing himself physically, it’s always good to relax and enjoy the trails and obstacles.
“It’s a fun event; if you’re a runner and you’ve pounded out miles, it’s a bit different and fun. You can throw your watch away and have a good time,” Handford said. “It’s a different type of event; I wish it was around years ago. Marathons are fun, but this has a different twist to it.”
The Henricus Dauber Dash is scheduled for June 29, 2013. For registration information visit http://www.sportsbackers.org/events/henricus-dauber-dash.