This year the Dorset Coast Path Relay will take place on Saturday 3rd September
The race starts at the Devon border in Lyme Regis and ,after 104km and 3,000m of climb, finishes at the Studland Ferry at Sandbanks.
Clubs may enter any number of runners in their team; however a team must include a certain ratio of women and juniors.
Over the years the fastest teams have been those that combine their fittest runners as distance runners to cover sections of the coast path inaccessible by road. These sections range from 1mile to around 8 miles in length. Team members usually run one, two or three legs totalling around 6-7 miles in all.
These distance runners are supported by Sprint teams consisting of 4 or 5 runners who link up with the distance runners at change over points, where access by road is possible. The Sprint teams carry the baton quickly up hill or along the sea front, speeding the team through change overs and enabling the distance runners to at least start their run fresh at the top of hills and not at the bottom. It is surprising how much difference a Sprint team makes even though the individuals may only carry the baton 100m or so at a time. At least two Sprint teams are required to leap frog ahead of the baton carrier and be in place to help with the next change over.
All this needs careful coordination so that runners travel in the right groups and are in place ready to run their leg of the race. Several cars are required to ferry teams along the coast.
Simon Whipple has agreed to be this year's Coordinator and would like to hear from anyone who would like to be involved, be it as a distance runner, sprinter or as a driver.
Pleasr contact Simon Whipple email; simon.whippleAThotmail.co.uk
