"Chased to Extremity": The Unlikely Thrill of Being Hunted by Bloodhounds
In the depths of England's countryside, a peculiar phenomenon has emerged, where trail runners are unwittingly transformed into prey in an adrenaline-fueled spectacle. Dubbed "clean-boot hunting," this unorthodox pursuit involves bloodhounds chasing human quarry – no animals or scents involved. The League Against Cruel Sports and some former fox hunters have lent their backing to this radical shift.
Meet Will Day, a trail runner turned hunted individual, who finds himself at the mercy of 40 Bloodhounds from the New Forest Hounds (NFH). These gentle giants, with soft coats and friendly demeanor, are far removed from the ferocious image of hunting dogs. "They're very soft and friendly," reassures Will Day, as he guides his nervous reporter through the Victorian kennels, now home to these lovable canines.
Professional huntsman Danny Allen takes on a more daunting role: leading the pack in pursuit of their human quarry. Accompanied by his young family, who help with the hunt's logistical challenges, Danny skillfully navigates the terrain while relying on his trusty hounds for guidance. The hunt's treasurer, Meghan Clarke, and Rich Shirley, the "quarry captain," join Will for an unforgettable experience that combines cross-country running with a dash of trepidation.
As the chase begins, runners are tasked with embracing their natural scent – sans deodorant or showers – to make them more appealing to the hounds. It's a peculiar initiation, but one that dispels any notion of danger; after all, these hounds have been used for tracking missing people and escaped convicts across the globe.
Throughout the day, the trail runners experience an unparalleled adrenaline rush as they navigate rough terrain, dodging rivers, bogs, and woods – always being pursued by their bloodhound companions. Despite initial fears, the intense physical exertion soon gives way to a sense of exhilaration, akin to participating in a high-intensity Parkrun.
The outcome? The hounds catch the runners repeatedly, yet lose interest after each pursuit. It's as if they've developed a taste for the chase, much like their human counterparts have adapted to their new role. With an uncanny ability to track scents, these dogs can run three times faster than humans and persist in their pursuit days after being released.
As the sun sets on this unusual day of hunting, one thing becomes clear: this is an experience unlike any other – a thrilling fusion of cross-country running, excitement, and the unlikeliest of predators.
In the depths of England's countryside, a peculiar phenomenon has emerged, where trail runners are unwittingly transformed into prey in an adrenaline-fueled spectacle. Dubbed "clean-boot hunting," this unorthodox pursuit involves bloodhounds chasing human quarry – no animals or scents involved. The League Against Cruel Sports and some former fox hunters have lent their backing to this radical shift.
Meet Will Day, a trail runner turned hunted individual, who finds himself at the mercy of 40 Bloodhounds from the New Forest Hounds (NFH). These gentle giants, with soft coats and friendly demeanor, are far removed from the ferocious image of hunting dogs. "They're very soft and friendly," reassures Will Day, as he guides his nervous reporter through the Victorian kennels, now home to these lovable canines.
Professional huntsman Danny Allen takes on a more daunting role: leading the pack in pursuit of their human quarry. Accompanied by his young family, who help with the hunt's logistical challenges, Danny skillfully navigates the terrain while relying on his trusty hounds for guidance. The hunt's treasurer, Meghan Clarke, and Rich Shirley, the "quarry captain," join Will for an unforgettable experience that combines cross-country running with a dash of trepidation.
As the chase begins, runners are tasked with embracing their natural scent – sans deodorant or showers – to make them more appealing to the hounds. It's a peculiar initiation, but one that dispels any notion of danger; after all, these hounds have been used for tracking missing people and escaped convicts across the globe.
Throughout the day, the trail runners experience an unparalleled adrenaline rush as they navigate rough terrain, dodging rivers, bogs, and woods – always being pursued by their bloodhound companions. Despite initial fears, the intense physical exertion soon gives way to a sense of exhilaration, akin to participating in a high-intensity Parkrun.
The outcome? The hounds catch the runners repeatedly, yet lose interest after each pursuit. It's as if they've developed a taste for the chase, much like their human counterparts have adapted to their new role. With an uncanny ability to track scents, these dogs can run three times faster than humans and persist in their pursuit days after being released.
As the sun sets on this unusual day of hunting, one thing becomes clear: this is an experience unlike any other – a thrilling fusion of cross-country running, excitement, and the unlikeliest of predators.
This "clean-boot hunting" thing is wild 
! I mean, who would've thought that trail runners become prey for bloodhounds? It's like something out of a movie 
, but at the same time, it's actually kinda cool 
. I can imagine how intense it must be to be chased by those hounds and have to navigate rough terrain while stinking like crazy 
. But hey, if it gets people excited about running and outdoor activities, then more power to them 
! Just gotta make sure everyone involved is safe and having fun 
. I'm curious to know what the runners think about this experience afterwards – was it exhilarating or totally terrifying? 
they're supposed to be gentle giants but now they're hunting humans too? i don't get it... aren't they, like, trained for real tracking stuff or something? 
isn't that weird?
. The idea that they lose interest after each pursuit is just genius - it's like they're saying, "Hey, we've had our fun, let's go get a treat instead!" 
. I'm totally jealous of Will Day for getting to experience this thrill ride. It sounds like a mix of running and parkour, but with a healthy dose of fear 
And it's not even hunting for food or something, just 'cause humans ran without showering or whatever... 
I get the thrill of it all, but aren't those poor humans kinda scented up and stuff? 
But is this something people should just be like, "Hey, wanna go for a run with 40 dogs chasing you?" 
. And the part where they're making themselves all stinky on purpose? What a joke 
.
. The trail runners seem to be getting an epic adrenaline rush out of it too 
, you'd never guess they're actually hunting people. It's like a weird mix of obstacle course racing and extreme scavenger hunt 