Hardy country in North Dorset was the setting for 1020’s Summer Run on Sunday 14 July with the ultimate lunch destination The Crown Inn at Marnhull, famous for appearing as The Pure Drop Inn in standard school text, Tess of the d’Urbervilles.
Before that participants had to negotiate a scenic 40 mile road run devised by David Bailey and George Parrott that headed north through the Gussages and then west to Semley and Pythouse using some extremely narrow lanes before passing the bottom of iconic Gold Hill in Shaftesbury
A carvery lunch awaited the 20 crews who started the day – a large contingent, considering the run clashed with the cricket World Cup final, the British Grand Prix and the men’s final at Wimbledon.
Most took the opportunity of an early lunch to get away in time to see the conclusion of the cricket and tennis using a shorter return route avoiding the bridge closure at Durweston.