From roving reporter Phil McKracken: Bob Johnson scored a victory of sorts last Saturday (15th March 2014) winning the illustrious title of first “OLD STAG” in the Deer Stalker 10k.
Thousands (nearly 3000 in the 5k and the 10k) competed in the event which started and finished at Traquair House, Innerleithen. The 5k included one climb up Caddon Bank, towards Plora Rig while the 10k included that same climb plus another one up towards Kirnie Law and a descent down through Pirn Craig. The 5k was more like 5 miles and the 10k more like 10 miles!
There were steep ascents (the scree above the Kirna on the Innerleithen to Walkerburn Road) and steep descents (coming down the downhill mountain bike trails on the Caddon Bank side) to contend with made worst by nearly 3000 runners churning up the mud.
The 10k was run mostly in the dark with some excellent views of the runners’ head torches all over the hills. Bob reports that success in this event is down to a good headtorch, starting in the first wave and a good breast-stroke.
Phil McKracken