Following on from the incredible success of the original Mad Dog in 2011, on 12 February 2012 Mad Dog 2 (“The Canine Bites Back”) took place at Southport.
Last year (the first running of the event), the race was voted “The best 10K in the country” by Runners World readers, and it looks like the race will win the award again this year.
Unlike last year, the wind stayed away, which made for an incredibly fast course. The Mad Dog route is flat (as is most of Southport!) and the number of runners who reported a personal best after the event was incredible.
This year saw a 50% increase in running numbers, yet despite this the race was sold out four weeks before the event itself.
This event makes no secret of the fact that it puts runners first and the fund raising for charity second. Whilst the Mad Dog raises significant amounts for local charities and good causes, the Race Director fully admits that his priority is to give runners a quality Round Table experience.
This was Round Table on show! Every male entrant aged under 45 went through a web page about Round Table on the web site, before entering. Southport Hesketh RT now have two new prospective members!
Finishers received a technical running shirt, a unique Mad Dog #2 medal and an unbelievably well stocked goody bag. In addition, there was free fruit at the finish line, free massages and sports injury advice, together with free baggage storage and shower/changing facilities.
This year saw a dramatic increase in the number of club runners, as many running clubs put the event onto their Grand Prix listings. This year’s results reflected the number of club runners with the top 50 being dominated by running club members.
This race, in memory of the late Tony ‘Mad Dog’ McWade (a former Southport Hesketh Tabler) prides itself on the fact that over 85% of the entry fees go back into the race to provide facilities and benefits for the runners. The remainder goes to local charities. All the members of Southport Hesketh Round Table gave their time for nothing. This is a not-for-profit event and the main aim is to give the runners a quality experience.
The Mad Dog 10K will return on Sunday 10 February 2013, with Mad Dog #3 “Revenge of the Canine”.
