The Dorset Ooser, a wooden mask used in days gone by to scare people as part of a practical joke. Quite appropriate really since it’s April 1st and we’re listening to a race briefing along the lines of “there’s a bit of water, up past your knees maybe, but it’s solid ground underneath” Ha? Really? Ah, ok no joke then…This is going to be brilliant....After a spate of heavy rain this inaugural trail race in Dorset had undergone several last minute re-routes. The “water meadow” section, despite wet, was the best option if the organisers didn’t want to lose competitors forever in deep mud. 

Two race distances were on offer, half & full marathon. Both fantastic value at £13.10 and £26.20 respectively, included a hefty medal and also with UTMB points up for grabs if that is your thing. For our money we were in for a trail running treat. The terrain was constantly varied including woodland trails to open fields (not forgetting the aforementioned water meadow). Underfoot the going was changeable from solid hard packed trail to sticky squelchy mud. Stiff climbs were followed by slippy slidey sketchy descents or slow draggy uphills by fast runnable downs. I recorded about 1300ft ascent on the half, so not flat by any stretch of the imagination. There were some tiny road sections through sleepy villages and the local support was more like bewildered looking dog walkers than cheering squads. Passing near villages such as Tolpuddle and Briantspuddle I’d add Deeppuddle and Muddypuddle if new names were being considered. 

Like many European trail races and with reducing litter and waste this was a cupfree event so aid stations required you to have your own drinking vessel, whether that be a collapsible cup or a hydration pack. As such the route was litter free (The sweepers commented on how litter free the route was so this solution obviously works). There were plenty of Aid stations, were well spaced and stocked with the usual fare. 

Signage aplenty and cheery marshals made this an easy to navigate event.  

At the finish there was help yourself tea and coffee (china mugs, not disposable) and a fab selection of delicious home-made cakes! All included in the entry price.

The usual banter and pre-race excitement filled the Facebook group in the lead up which adds to the relaxed welcoming atmosphere that surrounds these trail races. 

For an inaugural event, it’s a big congratulations to the organisers at Badger Trail Events. They put on a fantastic race and I for one will be back in 2019. Well done all involved.