Borders XC 2019/20 Series: November Update
Seventeen Carnethies made it down to Lauder (two weeks ago) for the first in the Borders cross-country series. (A couple of us fresh from doubling at Tinto the day before!) A hill-race in miniature, Lauder had a variety of terrains, based around variations on the theme of mud: steady climbs, flat and fast sections, and slippery descents. A variety of techniques were employed to cross the swollen burns following heavy rain, with some Carnethies opting for the fully immersive approach. An excellent lentil soup followed in the post race refreshments.
Another strong field of Carnethies made it down to Gala on Sunday for round 2 in the Borders XC. Eóin Lennon came round in pole position, with fourteen Carnethies out running in total. Carnethy also picked up first place in the team score. A good showing of ‘dogs-at-the-races’, with Carnethy outnumbering Gala Harriers in this category, thanks to Gordon’s two canine companions. Two of us had already managed to lose our bib numbers after Lauder, so we had to get creative with the marker pens and some spare bibs…
Braid Hills 2019 XC
With a couple of keen Carnethies opting to do this an appetiser for Gala XC the following day, there was a good turnout from the club in both the 5km and 10km courses. As hoards of fresh-faced uni students descended into King’s Buildings for registration, even some of us younger Carnethies were feeling our age a bit here. Nevertheless, Carnethy finished 3rd team overall, with Eliot Sedman coming 1st M40 by a clear margin.
Declan Valters