A first for Tempus Sports Timing recently, with the running of the inaugural Riverwood Downs Trail Run for humans and dogs – presented by the people at Tail Runner.
The race venue was located at beautiful and dog-friendly Riverwood Downs – a picturesque resort in the foothills of the Barrington Tops. Accordingly, the July temperatures were sub zero and ice was everywhere in the early mornings, but the cold didn’t diminish the enthusiasm of human and dog competitors.
The Saturday of racing featured two events – the 30km and 15km trail runs, and placegetter prizes were awarded to the top 3 males and females (human), and the top 3 canines. Sunday saw a more relaxed and untimed 4km run, which attracted a huge number of people and dogs, many of whom were trail running for the first time. There was also a relay event of four 4km laps, taken out by a team of amputee guys representing X Amputees – also a first for Tempus.
Although the pooches weren’t timed, and didn’t sport a race bib, every single finisher (and also the human ones) received a finisher’s medal – the dog ones were in the shape of a bone. There was a sizeable dog-themed expo, and the recipient charity was Herd2Home, a charity which is responsible for re-homing retired and washed-out working dogs. Lucky dog winners received an enormous barrel of dog chow.
Race MC was popular Newcastle running and media identity Dave ‘Robbo’ Robinson.
To crown it all, the resort hosted a Christmas-themed function called Woofmas in July, and many of the racers and not a few of the workers enjoyed a traditional Christmas meal and festivities on Saturday night.
If you have a dog that loves to run, perhaps this race is for you – and you can do a lot worse with accommodation that actually caters for your dog, as opposed to merely tolerating it, such as Riverwood Downs. Check out their dog-oriented menus and activities.
This race can only get bigger and more popular in future years.
Full results here – here.