With the melting frost and rain this was a battle of the bog. Especially off the crucial descents off crags and lower Whinny.
Andy sceptically remarked “Not sure about the “drier seat than recently” billing!”
Mark agreed, “As always, the beer afterwards was more enjoyable than the race”
Claire agreed,”Not the fastest! Was lovely to see that everyone waited for me at the end! Cheers, I’ve enjoyed the 2019 handicap runs, think I’ve just about got the route down pat now (and glad the entrance to the Haddie is passable again now!) It wasn’t raining and the main climbs were all OK – I got a great time climbing Whinny and the scree was in good nick until you hit the path
Fraser reported a “Strava PB up the Gutted Haddie, which was probably the only dry bit!”
Great to see Jamie back after a 3 month layoff – “Neil caught me going up the Guttie Haddie, and Dessie came flying past me on the descent from the Nether top”
Big welcome to Ben who put down a very useful debut and 2nd fastest time of 32:30. – “Was happy just to keep it steady today and make sure i didn’t get problematically lost!! Bit slippy too.. Need to practice descending off the seat summit and route/line up Gutted Haddie”.
Dessie got the fastest time today with 29:39. Neil Adams was 2nd with a confident sub 33 run
The December 19 win goes to an improving Andy Cross who got a great new sub 40 PB. – “Enjoyed the beer too (defo more than the run!) – have a great Christmas”
Annual Arthur Report 2019 – Holyrood 9a 1.10pm – 1.30pm
1. The 2020 race director is … Anthony Hemmings. (Many thanks).
2. There were 121 finishes this year.
3. Most appearances with 10 each was Mark Dymond and Peter Gardner (well done guys)
4. Most improved PB was Claire who massacred 3 mins 48 secs off her 2018 time for 34 mins 12 secs.
5. Fastest time in 2019 was Murray Strain with 26:58.
6. AOB: Thanks for letting me run this race for a time… got wind or dust in my eye after leaving the pub.
Next Race: The next AS HC will be Monday 6th January 2020. Will see you there.
Neil McLure