The first Equinox Run in 2013 was one of the first social runs I did with Carnethy and it quickly became my favourite. It is a simple idea that Jim Hardie (our soon to be erstwhile President) came up with. Eat, drink and run from Carlops to Hillend up and over the tops on the East side of the Pentland Hills. In that first year the stops involved seasonal food and local drink with various special guests along the way (see old reports for more details). Over the years despite being a fan favourite the run has come and gone. Last year it was rescued at the last minute thanks to Mike lynch.
At dinner after the Romanno Bridge handicap I mentioned to Nikki Dunn that it would a shame if the Equinox run didn’t happen this year. And of course the best way to make sure something happens is to do it yourself. So on the drive back to Edinburgh Nikki and I started planning. Unfortunately, later that night she remembered that she was busy camping on the Equinox weekend. Another offer of help from Mary Lye (or was that heavy guilt tripping on my part) was quickly retracted after she remembered it was one of her children’s birthday that weekend. What is it with people and having plans!?! I guess it was going to be up to me.
The great thing about taking over a tradition is that you can change it to suit your tastes. Always a fan of a theme I decided on “A celebration of Great Britain’s return to glory via the never ending slow motion car crash that is Brexit”. I sent out a few emails looking for takers. With rather short notice I was a bit concerned we wouldn’t get a quorum (not sure what the minimum number would be). But instead of worrying I put my mind to coming up with drink ideas.
In the end we had 8 runners, a glorious sunny day (another tradition), good food (mostly home baked by various runners), some strong drink, and great company.
The stops included:
The Steading (not a real stop but you may as well have a drink before the drinking starts while you wait for the bus): 1 pint Hoppopotamus and I didn’t keep track of others but I think there was a pint, maybe a half, a juice and an Erdinger Zero % beer.
The Alan Ramsay in Carlops: 3 1/2 pints of Stewarts Session IPA, 1 pint of Stella, 1 pint of Edinburgh Gold and 3 coffees (no food)
Paties Hill: Gin and Tonic with Lime (India) and Marmite Cake (thanks to Mike Lynch)
Green Law: Pimms (The Aristocracy) and Mackerel Paté Wraps (not sure if I should thank Neil Burnett for these but Rachel did ask for the recipe)
East Kip: Sangria (Gibraltar) and Chili cheek flapjacks (thanks to Rachel Normand)
Carnethy: Buckfast (our favourite colony…Scotland) and Greggs Sausage Rolls and Tunnocks Tea Cakes (thanks to Thomas Wright)
Flotterstone: 3 1/2 pints of Stewarts Radical Road, 1/2 pint of Peroni, 2 Cokes, 1 Diet Coke and 1 J20 (poor service in a rural pub) and Ginger bread (thanks to Aisling Allum, she also brought Bailey’s but left before we could drink it)
Castle Law Summit: Rum Swizzle (Bermuda) and Anzac Biscuits (thanks to Chris Lucas).
Allermuir Summit: Berry Liqueur (in honour of Jim’s Mum and the first Equinox Run) and Oat Cakes (thanks to me)
Most people ran quicker and drank less than previous years. We finished in daylight after about 13 miles, 3500 feet of climb, and 5 and a half hours on the hill.
I can’t think of a better way to end the summer. Save the date: Sept 19, 2020.
Sean Walker
Photos by Mike Lynch and Sean Walker