The 7.30 group dodged the showers and explored the lumps and bumps of Blackford hill and the length and breadth of the Hermitage of Braid. Returning across the golf course a kneeling figure with a gun. We ran faster after that. KB disappointed us by closing at 9. |
Archives for March 2016
Journey run – Innerleithen
Mass jail break
Nine Carnethy members made a dramatic escape by blasting a hole in the prison wall and running away into the surrounding hills. The escapers are still at large.
That’s what the photo suggests but the real events were rather more prosaic. Nine of us set off from Innerleithen on a wet and windy morning on a journey run into the surrounding hills. A steep climb up Pirn Craig and Kirnie Law brought us onto the open hillside and into view of the Big Surprise. This was a huge concrete tank, high in the hills, which was built in the 1920s as part of the world’s first pumped storage scheme; it was used to power the mills in Walkerburn. Apparently when the mill was closed, children used to climb up the ladder, over the top of the wall and down another ladder into the tank to swim. One day the inner ladder broke and the children were trapped inside. Luckily they were rescued but the Army were called to blast a hole in the side of the tank so that “This could never happen again.”
We continued, less eventfully, over Priesthope Hill and Glede Knowe into a stiff wind and thickening mist. Luckily there was a fence line to follow to keep us on the right course. We turned southwards onto Scawd Law and Cairn Hill. At the top of the hill Alan found us a very nice sheltered spot for lunch, tucked under the trees out of the wind and rain. After lunch a very muddy path took us down a firebreak to a forest road at the bottom and we continued on good tracks downhill. Just before Walkerburn a divergence of opinion split the group into two – some opting for the wide farm track and others opting for the increasingly muddy path, the wet burn, the fierce horses and I know not what else. We regrouped on the main road, opposite the cast iron pissoir which stands at the side of the road.
After that, there was a pleasant run along the banks of the Tweed back to Innerleithen. Some of us celebrated a good day out with coffee and cakes in a local café.
Nigel Rose
A Round and a half of Golf
The Half Round |
At 7pm 18 runners, and one with a putter and a golf ball, headed for the Braids (good idea Jamie). Gordon thought he was on holiday, he had a “Weak Calf”, so never got to the first tee. The others carried on regardless and padded and putted their way round the course. The 7:30 contingent of 10 went to the 10th tee and ran the second 9. The two par 5s at the start were a test but we soon settled into our game. We had Drive! We were chipper, and there were lots of bogies some were below par , but we got round ahead of the others and headed back to the 19th. 4.6 miles and great fun. Willie Gibson |
Edinburgh Kilomathon 2016
So called because it doesn’t contain an actual Kilomathon! Just a half (13.1km), quarter (6.55km) and Junior (2.62km).
Archie (aged 9) placed 3rd male in the Junior event (and 4th overall) in 10 m 29s (sub 6.30 pace from the lad!) behind Gregor Collins (aged 11) of Gala Harriers in 9m 15s and Arran Robertson (aged 13) in 9m 23s. First female was Katie Johnson (aged 12) of Edinburgh AC/Team East Lothin in 9m 39s.
There were no doubt some Carnethies among the 2 senior events, but as no clubs were listed I’m not sure. Apologies. David Limmer of Portobello won the 13.1km in 44m 27s, and the 6.55km was won by Iain Craven in 26m 39s. https://www.kilomathon.com/results/
On the subject of juniors, in addition to the calendar of events within SHR for juniors (see http://www.scottishhillrunners.uk/Juniors.aspx), older juniors can also participate in the Scottish Athletics Junior Hill Running League for 2016 under categories of U20, U17 and U15.
The 8 counting races are:
26 Mar – Alex Brett Cioch Mor Junior, Dingwall
24 Apr – Lomonds Junior Races, Falkland
7 May – Ben Lomond Junior, Rowardennan
5 Jun – Saugh Hill, Girvan
5 Jun – Scolty, Banchory
25 Jun – Falkland Hill Race, Falkland
13 Aug – Cademuir Rollercoaster, Peebles
28 Aug – Aberfoyle (JHI Trials), Aberfoyle
Mike Lynch
Chapelgill Hill Race
Two years ago it was snowing at Chapelgill, but last year and on Saturday there were clear blue skies and warm sunshine. There was a good turn out from Carnethy at this race with second and third place being taken by the Gilmore family. Mary Lye was second lady. One race for the day was clearly not enough for Ewan who competed in both the junior and senior races (and he almost beat me in the latter!). Results will be available here.
Follow this link to see a wonderful album of race photos by the Nimmos.
Margaret
Balerno Night Run
On Wednesday night around 20 Carnethies ran from Red Moss car park near Balerno. We ran along the track by Threipmuir Reservoir to Black Springs, and then up Den’s Cleugh. In my usual place at the back I followed a very misty line of disappearing head torches to the top of Black Hill and lost the path in peat bogs. It was slightly easier running down the other side of the hill to the Green Cleugh and Bavelaw Castle, and then a lovely run down the road back to Red Moss and food at the Grey Horse in Balerno. Thanks to Euan for organising the run and food.
Margaret
Edale Skyline
On a beautiful, spring-like Sunday, Konrad and I took a short break from eating cake at my parents’ house to run the Edale Skyline race. This Dark Peak classic starts with an ascent of Ringing Rodger, and continues over Win Hill, Loose Hill, Mam Tor and Brown Knoll in an elegant 21-mile sweep around the Vale of Edale. With a runnable first half, and significantly rougher second half, the race attracts an interesting mixture of road/trail/fell runners, which dominate/suffer according to the stage of the race.
Despite (or perhaps responsible for) the fast start, Konrad and Jim Mann led the field up the first ascent, until they added an extra zig-zag, and found themselves at a dead end in deep heather… They were soon back on course, and well in touch with the leaders when I saw them at the out-and-back of Win Hill. In the heat of the southern climate, my scottish disposition was suffering somewhat, yet I couldn’t help grinning and even laughing at times – so wonderful was it to be running with a view and sunshine.
The atmosphere on the pull-up from Hollins Cross to Mam Tor was fantastic; families picnicking, friends out walking, paragliders taking off and swirling above us, and everyone shouting words of encouragement.
After that I went a bit wrong on Brown Knoll (which is rather embarrassing, given how many times I have run over it in the past), whilst well in front of me, Konrad was making excellent progress pursuing the three leaders.
After last week’s incredible dump of snow (which scuppered our HPM victory dash – but that’s another story), the path around the skyline to Grindslow Knoll was still wintery white in places. But only in places – for the most part the vast quantities of snow had melted, feeding the already magnificent peat bogs which lie in wait for people like me. True to form, I fell in several, but only required extraction on one occasion.
Konrad had a great run to finish third overall, whilst I came in almost 15 minutes behind him, in 10th overall (first lady). We collected an excellent spread of cheese, oatcakes and chocolate for our efforts, before heading back home to resume cake consumption.
Results here: http://results.sportident.co.uk/home/event.html?eventid=8e499fc6-88fe-4ada-9011-98567bd31040
Jasmin Paris
Carnethy Ladies in Town
On Monday six Carnethy Ladies (including Kirsty’s dog, Lily) ran from Senga’s wonderful top floor flat in Newington into the old town. We followed cycle paths through Dumbiedykes down towards the Parliament, then across to Jacob’s Ladder and up to Calton Hill with amazing views over the city. We dropped down to Princes Street and then up Market Street to Castle Hill. We followed the Patrick Geddes Steps down from the Castle to the Grassmarket and then more steps (up!) by the Flodden Wall to Lauriston Place and Quartermile. Lots of contrasts in the very old and the modern architecture on our route. We met up with Bill when we arrived back. Many thanks to Senga for a great run and delicious soup and cake!
Margaret