The Dashwood dash 2026
A dash of fresh air: Welborne gets moving for mental health
Sixty participants ran, walked or cycled through Welborne’s Dashwood woodland to raise awareness for World Mental Health Day. Welborne’s residents joined Dashwood Dash for the first time, bringing neighbours together to celebrate getting active outdoors. All participants were awarded wooden medals proudly sporting a dashing hare, including some cute four-legged friends.
From a daring dash to a leisurely stroll or a jaunty pedal through the woods, Welborne’s Dashwood Dash 2026 brought the new community together on Thursday 8 October for a 3km route with mental wellbeing as its focus.
Sixty people of all ages donned trainers or walking boots to celebrate the benefits of fresh air, exercise and taking time to enjoy the countryside together. Held ahead of World Mental Health Day on 10 October, Dashwood Dash is now a fixed event in the Welborne calendar and highlights the role nature and community can play in supporting positive wellbeing, a principle at the heart of Welborne’s vision and design.
Last year’s inaugural event was held before residents had moved into Welborne. This year, residents joined participants from the Welborne, Buckland and Southwick estate teams, alongside the house build partners Thakeham, Pye Homes Blenheim and CG Fry & Son, bringing together those helping to create Welborne and those now calling it home.
The involvement of the house build partners also highlighted the importance of tackling mental health challenges in the construction industry and encouraging conversations among colleagues.
The starting gun fired at Welborne’s Welcome Centre and the participants hot-footed it into the event’s namesake, Dashwood, a historic woodland now part of Welborne and open to the public.
Emma Kiss, Engagement and Community Manager at Welborne said: “Dashwood Dash is about getting outside and enjoying doing something together. You don’t need to be a keen runner; a gentle stroll and a chance to catch up are very much part of the spirit of the event. It was particularly lovely to welcome our residents this year, bringing together everyone who is helping to shape Welborne.”
Vibrant blue T-shirts with a retro style Dashwood Dash logo were sported by all the participants, helping to create a shared sense of occasion and connection to place. As they crossed the finish line, at whatever pace, everyone, including the canine competitors, received a sustainable wooden medal featuring a dashing hare.
The participating pooches were also a fitting reminder of the part pets can play in supporting mental health, encouraging time outdoors, daily routines and conversations along the way.
Afterwards, everyone gathered for drinks and cake, giving neighbours and colleagues time to catch up and keep the conversation going beyond the finish line. With its woodland route and welcoming dash-or-dawdle format, Dashwood Dash is a reminder that looking after your mental health does not always need to be a big undertaking. Sometimes it starts with getting outdoors and taking a few steps together.
