THE Whinberry Naze Boxing Day Dash - December 26 - a tradition for two decades, has been saved thanks to the intervention of Rossendale Harrier member Steve Duxbury.

The race, which at its peak attracted almost 300 runners, looked set to disappear from the fell running calendar after Graham Wright, who had organised the race for 20 years, decided it was time for a rest. With no one prepared to take up the cudgel the race was doomed.

That was until Steve decided the tradition should not and could not be allowed to die. So once again the usual Santas, snowmen and fairies will be climbing the hill, not to mention the cavemen, telly tubbies, dragons and Bertie Bassetts, which make up one of the most unique races in the country. Steve is realistic enough to admit that numbers may well be down on previous years, as the fell running fraternity may have found alternatives after the race was scrubbed from the calendar, he said: We don't know how many to expect, but the important thing is to keep the race going, we couldn't let the tradition die in this manner."

So, if you are looking to run off a bit of the excess weight, where should you go?

Registration is at Marl Pits with the race starting from the bottom of Peel Street at 11am. Entry fee is £2.50 and there will, as ever, be an extensive prize list, including those for fancy dress.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.