If you happened to be driving through Felthorpe at around 7pm on Saturday night you’d have been forgiven for thinking that you’d taken a wrong turn! The beautiful country lanes and scenic woodland around the village was taken over by Freddy Kruger, Willy Wonka and a band of merry Oompa Loompas, a motley crew of pirates, numerous Where’s Wallys and Four Men and a Baby – yes, that’s a man dressed as a baby – to name but a few!
This wasn’t a new venue for Britain’s Got Talent auditions but the Hare and Hound Charity Summer Run 2016.
Not for the faint hearted, 18 teams and 90 people in total raced to catch the Hares (also known as race organiser Neil Featherby and Joe Woodley) through a six mile course over road, field, woodland and swamp. The debateable “highlight” of the run being a slog through The Drewray, a mud filled bog. Suffice to say none of the competitors came out the same colour they went in, and there were even sightings of an Oompa Loompa rescuing Where’s Wally!
Starting and finishing at The Mariners pub in Felthorpe, the high spirits continued afterwards with runners comparing battle wounds and mud covered costumes whilst taking part in a raffle, which comprised of prizes donated by individuals and local businesses.
This charity race is the brain child of Neil Featherby, owner of Sportlink in Taverham, and has been a regular feature in Felthorpe’s calendar since 2002 with the Hare and Hound Boxing Day Run. There hasn’t been a summer version since 2007, but Neil felt this was the year to revive it.
“The reason behind the Hare and Hound Run is to raise much needed funds for local charities, such as Hallswood Animal Sanctuary, Lex’s Legacy Dog Rescue and Felthorpe Village Hall. So, bringing the summer run back is purely to raise more money for these charities” said Neil, “However, the Hare and Hound Runs are a lot of fun and we knew people would support us”
The amount raised from last Saturday’s very muddy Hare and Hound antics is £1850 bringing the overall total to in excess of £10,000.
