Race 2: Darnaway SDAS Championship Season 2024/25 Proudly Sponsored by Skinner’s

Proudly Sponsored by Skinner's

Our second race of the season came along fairly quickly and also with the announcement of Storm Darragh. Those of us who were already nestled in the woods of Daranway on Friday, we were thankfully safe, our fellow Fam members however, had some turbulent journeys up in the stormy weather, but all arrived safe and well. Dog folk are hardy people!!

Friday was a torrent of steady rainfall whilst the Committee and helpers set up the trail. Bless them all, not a dry sock to be seen once they had finished. The rain gave way to snow on Friday evening, which then gave way to rain…again!

Saturday morning was damp, soggy, muddy and you guessed it…..still raining!

The fact that this did not deter our competitors and their amazing dogs was proved by the muddiest of faces by the end of everyone’s races! It was so wonderful to see everyone brave the mud to race around a fantastic new trail discovered by our SDAS member, Grant.

I think it’s fair to say that this new trail was pretty awesome and enjoyed by all. Setting off from the start chute, uphill to an almost 180 switchback turn, took skill and control from both Competitor and their team member(s) within the first 30 seconds of their race beginning. What more could you want?? Well, of course we had to have a few more up and down hills, some grass, long straights, tactical turns and a MASSIVE puddle! The latter wasn’t actually planned, but, we do hold events in Scotland - did I mention the rain?

Smiley, muddy but happy faces all around by the end of Saturday’s racing. Some fabulous racing times displayed; DR4NB First and Second place Lucy Van Zwanenberg and Aflie Blyth Russell having only 5 seconds between them and DR4 Kate Campbell with the fastest time of the day, a cracking 9 minutes 40 seconds!!

Post Saturday racing we all kept our festive cheer alive with some Mulled wine, mince pies, apple pies, sweet treats and GeeMa’s homemade stew! Some hot food and even hotter beverages were exactly what were required after a long day of racing in the rain and wind.

Thankfully by Sunday the rain had stopped!! The Fam boys had gone out on the trail on Saturday evening and drained as much as they could from the huge puddle, and we were all set to go. No rain on Sunday meant our actual festive Cheer and Festive fancy dress could be displayed, and the costumes were on point!!! Nothing better than some competitive racing in fancy dress. We had everything from the Gremlins, Santa, Santa’s Elves, Mrs Clause to the Gingerbread (wo)Man!

Not to be outdone by festive fancy dress, DR4 Kate Campbell utterly smashed her day 1 racing time by zooming around in 09.03.60 and rightfully claiming the fastest time of the entire weekend! Did she fly? Coming a close second in the 9’s was DBM Roddy Milne in 09.45.58 and pipping him to the post by a margin was DS2 Joe Hickman with an awesome 09.44.82.

Our Pawpack racers were postponed from racing on Saturday afternoon due to the weather; however, they all got to race their hearts out on Sunday afternoon post race. I think once again it was safe to say everyone (not just the kiddies) thoroughly enjoyed this piece of racing action. An assault course of collecting Christmas Gnomes, racing back to drop them at the collection point and a final ‘sprint’ to the finish accompanied by their chosen doggie bestie had everyone cheering and clapping. They all went home winners and were delighted with their specialised Christmas Baubles and Christmas Gnomes they had worked so hard to earn.

The Wheel of FURtune was spun at Prizegiving on Sunday and was awarded to our SDAS Member Tracey Bird! Well done Tracey!!! All our 1st to 3rd Podium placings were awarded some fantastic prizes courtesy of our phenomenal sponsors, Skinner’s Dog Food. Established in 1688, Skinner’s has been family run for seven generations. They pride themselves on creating and producing amazing feed for your dogs, and we are honoured and delighted to be sponsored by them. Thank you Skinner’s

We hope you all had a wonderful time, and we will see you all at our next race: Bowhill House, Selkirk. Your, sdasfam!