I have wanted to run the Seven Hills for almost as long as I’ve lived in Edinburgh. Okay that is only four and half years, but I was quite excited to finally get the chance this year. The day started off quite cool waiting for the start on Calton Hill. Carnethies milled about forming teams (A team, AA team, XX team, AAA team), discussing routes (turn right and go down the really dodgy bit, I tried to ignore any new route ideas I hadn’t recced) and posing for a photo. After a warning of what was closed (turnstiles) and what was open (alottments near Reid Memorial Church) and which golf courses were ok to run across we were off. At some point early on the sun came out and for once I felt my choice of vest only was wise (as a Canadian I’m not sure I’ll ever understand the popularity of shorts, gloves and vest in snow). It was actually dare I say it… HOT! I’ll blame the heat (and the hills) for my gradual decrease in pace as the race proceeded. I also opted not to get stuck in the turnstile or climb the wall at Pollock Halls. However, I am sure that my route choice did not make a huge difference in my overall time. Great day out with prizes won by Stewart Whitlie (4th overall and 1st V50) and John Hammond (5th overall) and Carnethy A: Stewart, John and Nigel Shekelton (1 st team).
Carnethy Results: The Race
4 Stewart Whitlie 1:47:37
5 John Hammond 1:47:48
12 Nigel Shekleton 1:52:36
16 Iain Gilmore 1:55:05
19 Graeme Dunbar 1:57:09
31 Graeme Ross 2:05:22
38 Steve Best 2:07:33
45 Alan Hogg 2:08:58
57 Chris Brooks 2:12:26
58 Douglas MacQueen 2:12:36
64 David Harrington 2:14:21
69 Joe Harley 2:14:53
71 Ian McDougall 2:16:43
75 Mark Hartree 2:17:29
87 Gordon Cameron 2:21:04
105 Britton Smith 2:26:57
108 Lucas Lefevre 2:27:43
113 Kathy Henly 2:28:21
116 Jonathan Hogg 2:29:58
122 Steven Simkin 2:32:12
125 Garry MacInnes 2:32:49
144 William Mykura 2:40:58
152 Sean Walker 2:47:44
The Challenge
17 James Johnston 2:24:58
59 Pamela Whitlie 2:38:08
64 Gordon Voller 2:39:38
79 Philippa Ivison 2:42:13
93 Kate Fraser 2:44:41
112 Karin Ewing 2:49:19
122 Abigail Robertson 2:54:44
140 Ian Jackson 2:57:20
141 Kenneth Fordyce 2:58:04
181 Win Rampen 3:06:36
193 Sarah Whitehead 3:09:04
209 Cat Ballany 3:13:13
219 Jean-Baptiste Richon 3:15:45
243 Mairi Brown 3:20:59
274 Benedict Bate 3:40:05
Full results here
Sean Walker
And some photos on Arthur’s Seat from Chris Henty…
And more on Arthur’s Seat from Charlie Ramsay…
And some on Blackford Hill from Sean Walker’s wife Tanya…