The Big Dipper - This Weekend!

The inaugural racing of The Big Dipper Half Marathon is this weekend (Sunday 11th Sept @ 10am) and it represents a huge milestone for Dronfield Running Club with it being the first event we have hosted since our inception during lockdown, back in the summer of 2020.

Whilst this is a huge event for everyone involved at DRC and those who are racing, we would like to extend an invite to the wider community in Dronfield, Barlow, Millthorpe and Unthank to come out and support us and the participants.

There's going to be around 300 runners taking part, supported by a volunteer team of around 100 people. We have runners traveling the length and breadth of the country (and one or two from across Europe!) to take on what is a challenging route but also experience the stunning countryside that we have on our doorstep.

The event village is on 'The Common' on Hill Top Road, close to the start and finish line and we'll have stalls, music, and food on offer. The Hyde Park will also be open for refreshments.

The race heads out down Barlow Lees Lane, through Barlow, Millthorpe and Unthank via Shillito Woods and then back along Dobbin Lane and Cowley Lane. Road closures will be in place between 0930 and 1300 but we are aiming to keep these to an absolute minimum, re-opening the roads as soon as it is safe to do so. We are extremely grateful for the patience and understanding of those who may be effected. (full route can be found here).

Dronfield RC is a community run charity and the funds we raise from The Big Dipper, this year and as it (hopefully) grows to become a larger, annual event will be vital to our sustainability and growth. We already do a lot of work to promote fitness and health (in both body and mind) in the local community and revenue from The Big Dipper will allow us to extend our reach with investment in facilities and provide opportunities for the younger generations in and around Dronfield to take part in managed and coached athletics.

Whilst we've been around for a couple of years now, and you may have seen us running around the town from time to time, Sunday will mark the first time that we, as a club, can properly showcase everything that we are about and everyone in and around Dronfield is very welcome to come along to the event village, or line the route to cheer on the runners.

So please, come along and meet us all, see what we're about. Even if you aren't a runner, you can still be a supporter of Dronfield Running Club and everything that we strive to do.