Jeff’s report…
Well that certainly turned into a rather epic afternoon, and the furthest I’ve ever run in a single outing! Thanks for at least having all 5 relatively close together with plenty of streams to rehydrate between them, excellent planning.
Before I get to the times, a few highs and lows from the afternoon of adventure. I set off from Hillend at 12:30 with a rough estimate it would take me about 5h30, although I hadn’t measured the route. The weather forecast didn’t disappoint and I enjoyed my warmup jog round to Castlelaw where I caught my breath and chatted to one of the Pentland Push marshals, vaguely explaining what I was doing. Out with the map that I’d done my best not to look at in too much detail while printing, watch started, and off I set. Met Mark coming the other way down the track past the firing ranges as I headed for the re-entrant gorse bush. Think I took a reasonable route and really enjoyed the mini mountain marathon.
On the way over to Reservoir Dogs who should I bump into but President Willie who was doing the same as me only following a different route. Now some may argue that his route was smarter, or that it was [cough] cheating [cough], but I’m happy to let it stand if you are. Going to the official start of each race only added 10km, and what’s 10km between friends! Anyway, I made it round that and onto Bonaly Scalextric, starting to flag a bit. 3rd one done I continued on, passed the finish of the Pentland Push wishing it was also the finish for me. By the foot of Allermuir I was a bit broken, and after jogging out from the start accepted that this one I’d do well to maintain a brisk walk to the top. Descending Allermuir towards Caerketton I knew the game was up and it was a matter of getting to the finish, and anything less than 10 minutes for the doonhiller would be good.
So onto the times, and from anything I’ve seen on Strava they aren’t quick, but I guess I knew that would be the case going into this.
Mini Mountain Marathon – 48:49
Reservoir Dogs – 42:11
Bonaly Scalextric – 39:16
Allermuir Uphill – 27:22
Caerketton Doonhill – 10:14
Total time – 5 hours 50 minutes. Total distance – 43.6km (1450m ascent)
Jeff Roberts
Willie’s Report
With my knees not behaving very well and generally not running fast (more like hobbling) at the moment, I was happy to time the Caerketton Doonhiller on Wednesday. But I had a plan for the Alt C5.
So on Saturday morning I studied the maps and worked out what I thought was the most ecconomical (in climb and distance) route to complete the run in a oner. So I headed off to The Uphill Allermuir start and parked the car.
With a loaf of soreen, 700ml water, and a can of green coke I set off.
The Uphill was fine, taken very easy, then down to the Capelaw col where the “Pentland Push” support tent was offering food and drink, I will remember that for later.
I skirted north of Capelaw and when I joined the Bonaly Scalectric route I started my watch. after that circuit I reclimbed Habour Hill and met the Mountain Safety guys from the Pentland Push (Fraser’s Pal Keith). After a Chat I was at the Maidens Cleugh gate and started the Reservoir Dogs circuit. A nice run but a bit hard underfoot, and there were strange looks from the walkers at Harelaw as I hobbled past. But I did overtake a cyclist on the climb back to my start point.
After half a loaf of soreen and a can of coke and a close look at the Mini-Mountain Marathon route I headed down to aim for checkpoint B to start my circuit. I met Jeff Roberts on his way up. He was even dafter (less smart) then me going to every start!
I found the checkpoint and restudied the map, then off I went, wading the first stream I decided the water was good enough, so as I soaked my knees int the cold water I drank my sig and refilled it and headed on. It took a while on my tired legs and I repeated the sig drink on my return before getting back to my start and then heading for Allermuir.
The Pentland Push food station came in handy as I drank some water with orange slices and chatted to Murdo McEwan, before climbing Allermuir again and heading for Caerketton and “Ran” the Doonhiller in 19 minutes.
With a mile jog after that I was back at the car.
A grand day out with nice varied routes, thanks Mark!
21 miles : 4381 feet : 6:33:55
Allermuir Uphill – 30:20
Bonaly Scalectric– 50:09
Reservoir Dogs– 57:10
Mini Mountain Marathon – 91:31
Caerketton Downhill – 19:10
Willie Gibson