On a bitterly cold but dry Saturday morning Liz and Christine walked the promenade looking for Branksome Dene Chine. The event HQ was unmissable – festive banners and several tents had been set up around the community centre. The enthusiastic young team from University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity, organisers of the annual fund raising Elf Dash had worked hard and everything was ready. The clubroom had been magically transformed with a trail to Santa’s grotto through a forest of Christmas trees – courtesy of a local garden centre who had been on site at 6.30am. A balloon man was already busy blowing up multicoloured balloons and creating amazing animals, an exciting tombola stall was ready and the Rapid Relief Team were setting up to provide food and drinks for all after the run. We were warmly welcomed by the team and issued with lanyards, high viz jackets and tinsel decorated placards - ‘Turn Around Here’! Soon excited children and their families, many in Christmas themed fancy dress were arriving, and we were directed to our marshal point 1 km from the start where the runners turned and retraced their steps to the start/finish line. The 300 entrants were started in two waves and the front runners soon reached us. Some of them seemed very relieved to realize that they could now turn as the run was already half accomplished. The participants ranged from a baby a few months old who jiggled in a front sling as his mother jogged along, to an elderly lady with a walking frame and there were also several happy dogs. It was a lovely family event with excited children and their families enjoying an event together. When the tail walker reached us we returned to base where we were awarded medals and returned out kit and headed home leaving an excited throng queuing to meet Father Christmas and enjoy food from the caterers.