This race has long been on my wish list and pleased to say didn’t disappoint as the wind died down and sun shone.
I’d recommend it because
1) The route is along a largely well marked horseshoe ridge giving great views of the Cheviots
2) If you like the Pentlands, you’ll enjoy this as it has similar profiles/ terrain and feels like a mini Skyline ( 12km/ 760m)
3) It’s less than an hour and half drive from Edinburgh along some pretty borders road
4) It’s only a fiver to enter and this money all goes to the Borders Search and Rescue team
5) The last 5 km are along a largely downhill ridge on the Pennine way so you can really stretch the legs
6) Well marshalled and friendly low key event
7) With only 37 entrants and a non-championship race, good to boost the SHR %!
For the record it was won by a LITERALLY barefoot Brian Marshall in 1:14:48 so the 1 hr record set in the British Championships wasn’t under threat. I did ask Brian if he forgotten his shoes but it seems this was his plan, even the last 1km on gravel track… Ouch! Dougie MacQueen, Neil Pendrich and I were the only 3 Carnethies amongst a smattering of borders based teams, HBT duo and larger contingent from Newcastle. I was 5TH and the first UNDER 40 runner in 1hr 17.39 which I think should really have its own prize category now! Dougie & Neil were not too far behind in 16th & 18th respectively…
Results http://www.shr.uk.com/RaceResults.aspx?RaceID=RA-0056&Year=2015
Steve Best