Wow - we didn’t see that coming !!

Then it seems like no one else had heard of Corona Virus a month ago either - now its shutting the country down

We have been all set to run 4 x existing sportive events along with 2 x brand new rides - 1 x off road / gravel bike ride in Grizedale Forest along with an exciting new sportive - as part of a new weekend “Festival of Cycling” at Lowther Castle in The Lake District

Following HM Government / British Cycling / common sense - we have now decided to re schedule the first 3 x rides of the 2020 season - to similar dates in 2021 -

• 12 April 2020 - 68 and 32 mile Yorkshire Dales Loops
• 10 May 2020 - 108 mile Lake District Loop
• 14 June 2020 - 63 and 30 mile Forest of Bowland Loops

We have everything crossed that we can run the 3 x remaining events later in the year - but will also reschedule these too if it proves ill advised -

• 11 July 2020 - 80 and 33 mile North Lakes Loops from Lowther Castle
• 11 October 2020 - 66 and 35 mile South Lakes Loops
• 7 November 2020 - 32 mile Grizedale Forest Gravel Rash off road sportive

The team is obviously disappointed - as we were just starting to get excited about the fast approaching Yorkshire Dales Loops - but are focusing on keeping our nearest and dearest safe and healthy over the next few months

Sure you are the same 🙂

We can t wait to see everyone at an event v soon tho -

Chris, Lynn and Top Dog Events team

 

Not posted for a while - so just a quick update

Where to start ??

Well we have run 2 x super successful cycling sportives thus far -

Yorkshire Dales 60 and 30 mile loops in April - a grand day out was enjoyed by all

Our annual big day in the saddle - Lake District 108 miler - a lot of effort went into making this day the roaring success it was - so thanks to everyone involved

The next sportive on our calendar is in a few weeks - Forest of Bowland is all organized and good to go - with rider numbers looking very encouraging

After this we will focus on our only running event this year - Leighton Hall Picnic trail runs in September and our final 2019 sportive - Lake District 60 and 30 mile loops in October

We have several great runs in the Lancaster area in the pipeline - but await news about the Luneside cycle path closing for 18 x months - which will scupper the routes big time - watch this space !

Finally we are super excited about plans for the 2020 season - with the possibility of a 60+ mile North Lakes sportive as part of a brand new “Festival of Cycling” weekend @ Lowther Castle as well as a programme of guided rides and runs throughout the Lakes and Dales

So its all go here - thanks for your continued interest and support - and we hope you’ll join us for an adventure v soon

Chris, Lynn and all @

 

Come and join us for a run around this amazing area on 8 September 2019

Stretch your legs on either a 5 mile or 5 km well signed trail run through the limestone scenery of this little visited Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty in NW England

Then relax in the grounds and gardens with your friends and family with the picnic you brought or visit the well stocked tea rooms - while enjoying some stonking 80’s music

Book your places today -

See you there

Chris, Lynn and team @

Ltd

 

Now that our cycling events are sorted for the year ahead - we are turning our attention to trail runs

We are busily putting plans for several trail running events together for the year - this involves seeking permission from landowners en route before we can set dates

A couple of half marathons are looking good - while a 10km and 5km “picnic run” @ Leighton Hall is pencilled in for 15 September

Please keep an eye on our Facebook page as well as this website for full details and a chance to enter or help out these new events

Best regards

Chris, Lynn and team @

 

 

We are pleased to have all our 2019 cycle sportives arranged now - they are …..

• 28 April - Yorkshire Dales 60 and 30 milers
• 9 June - Annual 100+ mile epic - Lake District
• 18 August - Forest of Bowland 60 and 30 milers
• 20 October - Lake District 60 and 30 milers

We hope you can join us to ride or help us out on one or more of these great events - and are now cracking on with finalising plans for trail runs of various distances

Best regards

Chris, Lynn and team @

Gosh - it seems like only yesterday that we decided to try our hand at organising some events in the areas we know and love so well.

It was, in fact, exactly 12 months ago - while reviewing 2017 and looking ahead to 2018 - we had a good year with our outdoor adventure business Door 2 Door Adventures but wanted to have more control over our work / life balance.

Instead of constantly waiting and hoping someone would want us to organise a bespoke adventure day for them - we wanted to plan ahead and decide when events would be and work together with friends to make them happen.

We achieved this and can now look back on an amazing year which we -

• started Top Dog Events Limited
• set up 3 x 100 mile sportives
• helped facilitate a run as part of a local gala
• organised our initial trail running event
• made some amazing new friends
• cancelled a sportive due to rider safety concerns
• became a bona fide events company

We got some great feedback from participants and helpers in our first years events and have learnt sooooo very much - thank you all 🙂

We are putting the lessons into action by planning 3 x shorter sportives, with an annual 100+ mile classic ride - cheaper entry fees along with, optional extras to purchase like medals, photos and clothing, as well as a series of trail runs of various distances.

So grab your place on an event or two in our January sale, get out training and we look forward to meeting you in 2019.

Chris, Lynn and team @

 

After a planning meeting we have made the following decisions ……..

• 3 x Shorter sportives - 60 and 30 miles - Lakes, Dales and Bowland
• Later starts - 10 / 11 am
• 1 x Epic sportive a year - 100 miler only - in Lakes next year
• Cheaper entry fees
• No medals - we have about 170 left over @ £5 each to dispose of !!
• More trail runs
• Several running challenges - Yorkshire 3 x Peaks and Yorkshire “Twin Peaks”
• Organising running and cycling weekends / holidays

We are getting our mojo back after having to cancel our Bowland event - due to hideous weather and look forward to sharing our favourite places to run and riding with you all next year

Chris, Lynn and team @

 

Thanks to all all involved in this great day 🙂

It was a pleasure to see so many happy folk gathered together and made the days of planning - meetings - checking and admin well worthwhile

Here are peoples times - please remember that these events are not races and it takes longer to run off road routes than it would on tarmac - its not so much who got round fastest but who had most fun doing it !!

For your information only - ( in order of event numbers worn )

5 x Miles

1 - Stuart Nevin - 47.46

2 - Paul Gregory - 41.09

3 - Emily Japp - 49.41

4 - Phil Lakeland - 52.59

5 - Gary James - 56.25

6 - Phil James - 50.15

7 - Stephen Perry - 50.41

8 - John Street - 1hr 01.58

9 - Rhiannon Page - 58.22

10 - Jayne McCarten - 1hr 18.33

11 - Rhiannon Tinson - 1hr 18.33

12 - Carl Richardson - 52.05

14 - Kelly Seward - 53.00

15 - Craig Kirsy - 58.53

16 - Emma Read - 1hr 10.34

5 x KM

101 - Andrew Simm - 28.33

102 - Danielle Bowker - 44.30

103 - Amelia Thompson - 31.30

104 - Kelly Baird - 43.32

105 - Sophie Kirby - 43.32

106 - Gill Hayes - 44.15

107 - Kathryn Ward - 44.15

* Please excuse any spelling mistakes - all names taken off entry forms which runners filled in *

Thanks again for taking part - please spread the word about what we are doing and watch out for more of the same in 2019 🙂

Happy “slow running”

Chris, Lynn and co @

 

 

Roll on Sunday

We are all set to go ahead with our initial “Try a Trail” running event at the fantastic Leighton Hall in Lancashire

Runs will start at 1000 hrs on Sunday 30 September 2018 and a choice of either 5 x miles or 5 KM are offered

Both routes pass over a host of different terrains from narrow trails, woodland paths, open fields and Limestone pavements - a real mix of what running off road is all about

Our aim is to organise a series of such events in the area next year - with the aim of promoting “slow running” to stressed out road runners and racers

This is in no way a reflection on running speed though - more a simple awareness of the surrounds and special places we can run outdoors in - when the view is more important than a medal and seeing a deer is better than a PB

We hope you will join us for a celebration of running in special places as a runner, helper or spectator

Chris and Lynn @