With the knees feeling better than average recently, possibly thanks to physio, acupuncture and a few triathlons, all I need as new set of lungs it seems. Broughton Heights and Baddingsgill Round back to back on Saturday and Sunday was an easier choice than doing the longer Ochil’s 2000 on Saturday.
The best Carnethy performer at Broughton on a stunning Saturday and on a lovely route on green trails was Sophie McBirnie who can first lass in the shorter Juniors race and second overall. She pipped her mum Kirsty’s position who came 3rd FV 40 in the main race. Finn Lydon was first U23 for Carnethy but that was about it for club prizes (Finn Lydon, Alex Hinchcliffe and Fergus Johnstone were 2nd men’s team behind HBT). The winner finished 30 mins ahead of me which is a tad pathetic. Neil McClure is changing vests to boost the old men count in the club so included in the piccies. The results for this one are tbc.
Baddingsgill had a smaller field but plenty of bog. It was hot and super clear so a lovely route to look around on and to trot and bog-hop around. Compared to last year it was pretty dry apparently but I still douced my baubles a few times in the bog nearly getting properly stuck. Diane Challands got first FV40 , Kathy Henly came first FV50 lass and Neil Burnett came 2nd MV50. All were embarrassingly fast compared to me and each receiving their prizes before I wandered back to the finish in a dishevelled mess. Neil and I had a swim in Baddingsgill after so I fitted in an extra mile as a warm down cum wash.
A great couple of races and a few mile under the belt in cracking weather.
Mark Hartree