2024 - Second Event.

On a hot and sunny Sunday, the 12th May 2024, the second ever ‘Hardy Half’ was held. The race attracted runners far and wide to the local countryside following the success of the inaugural event In 2023.

 

The Hardy Half is a joint effort between Dorchester RIOT running club, Dorchester Lions, Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary Club and Dorchester Rugby Club. The aim of the race is to raise funds for local causes as well as encouraging participation in running, and sport in general. 

 

The race route is a challenging one, taking runners down Holmead Way, through Martinstown and up along the Ridgeway. Their return wasn’t any less treacherous as they headed down Hells Bottom, back up the Ridgeway and down through Maiden Castle before heading to the finish line at the rugby club where they were welcomed with beer, cheers, music and refreshments at the event village. Two local tractors provided a fitting finishing line as they collected their locally made wooden medals. 

 

Supported by locals, families and friends, as well as a large number of volunteers, the runners were treated to music from the Dorset Wrecks, Ansell & Gretel, Dorset Phil, a bagpiper at the highest point at Hardy Monument and commentary from Keep 106. 

 

This year, over 300 runners took to the hills, with their entry fees helping us to raise around £9000 for local good causes. The money raised proudly supports the valuable work of Dorset Search and Rescue (DorSAR) as the main beneficiary, with the remaining distributed to local causes via the race partners.

 

The event could not have gone ahead without contributions from the sponsors; Parkers Properties, RMA Precision Engineering and the National Grid, as well as Dorset Brewing Company. We were also grateful to ForFit Fitness for getting runners warmed up and treated to a massage post race. 

 

Though the course records remained (only just) unbroken, there were impressive performances from the winner of the Women's race, Isobel Rea (West 4 Harriers), followed by Melanie Austreng in second place and Jenny Walker-Leach in third and the Men's winner, Matt Underhill (Egdon Heath Harriers) who was closely followed by Tony Roberts and Oliver Edwards. The first three finishers received a sustainable wooden trophy (to complement wooden medals) and seed bee bombs. Bee bombs were given as spot prizes to runners through the day with the final three runners also receiving a prize to recognise their efforts with each treated to a Waggamama voucher born from a collaboration between the food chain and Dorchester RIOT running club.

 

We hope the 2025 event will see continued growth of the event and we look forward to announcing the date soon.

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