Welcome to Lindfield Life’s Denmans Lane Dash event page. Here you will find our most recent information for the exciting Boxing Day race.
Denmans Lane Dash is a Boxing Day beer race, racing the length of Denmans Lane and back for charity.
See also, Denmans Lane Dash Facebook page
Dashing before the snow!
By Ray Gower
The 10th annual Denmans Lane Dash didn’t disappoint. The day began with Andi Frost and her team Will, Lila, Mia and Sam preparing the Stand Up Inn for the onslaught of record numbers of competitors and customers – and pouring 75 half pints of beer ready for the race.
Meanwhile, my dear friends Ian and Lorna Towner were on hand to expertly register all the competitors with calmness and precision, while the great Mike Webster and his wonderful band of Lindfield Bonfire boys and girls were in charge of road management and safety, preparing the start and finish lines, ready to start the race at 1pm.
Having briefed all competitors about the changes to the rules, including an increase of competitors to 75 and, to celebrate our 10th anniversary, I introduced my founding competitors and great friends, Drayson, Hannah and Stefan Kohli who I invited to start this year’s races.
On what was a beautiful crisp winter’s day and in front of record numbers of spectators, the ladies set off dressed in all types of festive fancy dress at a brisk walking pace.
A few minutes later, as the women had disappeared out of sight up Denmans Lane, the men set off again at a brisk walking pace due to the ‘no running’ rule change.
With the crowds cheering as everyone left, we all waited anxiously to see who would come round the bend towards the finish line first. There were a number of ladies vying to get into the top eight across the line and qualify for the measure off.
They were followed by the men, some walking very fast and battling for the measure off and the chance to be among the potential winners.
Once the beer was measured the results were f inalised. This year’s Ladies Winner was Kerry Bannister, who was closely followed by Emily Phillip in second and Gemma Tigar in third.
Men’s winner was Andrew Dean followed by former champion Kai Robinson and keeping it in the family Paul Tigar. The winner of best fancy dress was Sarah Nelson who took home a bottle of bubbly
Both winners taking home a replica of the coveted Denmans Lane Dash Trophy sponsored by Richard Talman of RTFJ and Kris Whelan of Lindfield Coffee Works and a bottle of Bubbly sponsored by Andi Frost of the The Stand Up Inn.
Before, during and after the race, we had great support from Lorna Towner and Bonfire Society members collecting for this year’s chosen charity Prostate Cancer UK . The charity is close to my heart and one that supports so many men, family members and friends through diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation of this awful killer.
We raised a wonderful amount of £1,637 on the day (plus £348 via Gift Aid) and hopefully managed to raise awareness of early diagnosis to all who attended. I was truly humbled this year by the fast uptake of competitors and the huge number of spectators who came along to cheer the competitors on. When I started this crazy event in 2015, I had no idea that it would become such a fixture in the Lindfield community calendar.
It began because we were bored on Boxing Day - that no longer happens in our household and hopefully we are giving everyone something to brighten up any Boxing Day blues!
The last thing for me to do is to thank Andi Frost and her fabulous team at the The Stand Up Inn. for providing us with the great facility and beer. Thanks also go to Matt Wilcock for leading the team outside, my true and wonderful friend Roger Seymour for his marshalling of the Compton Road and Denmans Lane junction on the day, Mark Tampion Lacey for all the great photos and the brilliant artist, sculptor and great friend Keith Pettitt for the Denmans Lane Trophy and replica trophies.
Finally, the race couldn’t happen without the wonderful competitors who make a huge effort to dress up along with all the residents of Lindfield and other areas who come out each year to support the event and our charity. I have said it many times, Lindfield is a very special place to live with an amazing community and without the support of the team and spectators I could not run this madcap event.
Once again, I give a heartfelt thank you for helping my year to finish on a high. I hope everyone involved and spectating enjoyed those few hours of happiness and joy.