Having worked out a route it was worth a reccie to get some timings. So Richard, Sandra and I headed out on Sunday round my proposed route. Three of us and daylight meant that we were round the route in 1hour 45 minutes. Which was fine for a 6:30 start and food on the table at 8:30.
The herding cats of the food and spreadheets was as normal but the 25-30 numbers were a bit ahead of the usual. My experience of previous endevours had me out last night working out how to cut 15 minutes off of our route.
So email for the food to the Original Rosslyn Inn sent and the Werewolf mask looked out, Witchy Moira and I headed to the meeting point.
Strange visions of weirdly dressed runners appeared from all directions and we set off only 5 minutes late.
A quick dart down main street to the Langhill dip and we entered The Bluebell Wood, passing my “Shinbanes Fields” where bones of fallen soldiers are still found, along the Kill Burn which ran red with blood, we crossed the (by now subteranean) burn and past the Dryden Ice house and on to the Memorial to the Battle of Roslin, fought in 1303. This was the battle that caused the bones in the field and the burn to run red, then we passed The Hewing. At the end of the field I stopped about 10 metres along the path until the 30 of us crossed the stile then headed off. We reached the new board walk over the worst of the mud where Mike lynch took a tumble. I noticed that we had lost 20 people. A search party was sent out and soon found the group. The lost group needed to sharpen their Followership Skills.
Passing “General Monk’s Battery” we descended towards Rosslyn Castle and passed under its spectacular bridge and crossing The Esk ran into Roslin Country Park.
After 0.25 miles of Tarmac we dived into the undergrowth and fought our way uphill to the Roswell- Penicuik railway path and after a brief stop at Rosslyn Castle Station to regroup in the dry, we headed on and descended to Roslin Gunpowder Mill.
Luckily there was some spare gunpowder left over and Richard Chandler and Fraser Gibson put on a short Fireworks display with the backdrop of the spectacular cliffs beside the mill.
The group then ran back to Roslin via Gunpowder Brae and Jacob’s Ladder to Roslin Cemetry. Some keen runners ran ahead and missed the circumnavigation of the Roslin Chapel and its spectacular red lightting, others lagged behind and visited the Castle by misake, but we all got back to the Inn for a well deserved meal.
Willie Gibson
Archives for October 2021
Pentland Skyline report & results
After two years, the Skyline race was back, and not without some additional excitement to spice things up. A rather disappointing 185 starters, I’d planned for around 200 from the 250 still signed up from the original 325 registered. Quite a drop out rate. There was also rather more ‘organisation’ to do this not quite post-Covid year, and I’d like to immediately thank the Pentland Hills Regional Park for all their extra help this year in making the race possible.
We also had some very welcome support from Alpkit, Top Out Brewery and A Line In The Sky. All three contributed towards the prizes, with Alpkit providing the marquees and Top Out the finish line licensed bar. I had to wait until later that evening before I could sample the beer, but it tasted mighty fine after a day shouting instructions at people. I hope the winners get good use of their head torches and titanium mugs.
So many marshals, and so much help. Really, the race could not happen without all the Carnethy’s (over 60 of you – we ran out of hi-viz!) pitching in to make it all work. Thank you. I still have beer left over which wasn’t claimed, I’ll distribute it somehow. Other than shouting occasionally, I spent long periods with not much to do as you lot just got on with it. Being able to trust Carnethy to make it happen makes the Race Organisers job so much easier.
Of course it wouldn’t be a race without the runners. From Alastair Masson (2:21:49 – 10 minutes ahead of 2nd) and Kirsty Dickson (2:57:54) to Lantern Rouge Willie, there was a lot of running, and some walking, going on. With three Carnethy ladies in the top four (Kirsty, Liz Leason 2nd and Kirsty Campbell 4th) the Female Team prize was won by 78 points over Penicuik Harriers. The men won the team prize too, but it was a closer match with Alastair, Thomas Otton and Liam Braby winning by just 12 points over Edinburgh Uni Hare and Hounds.
Meanwhile Sandy Morrison decided to descend Castlelaw at such a blistering pace he had a blowout in one of his knees. Unfortunately he didn’t get a free helicopter ride as he did it so close to the track that Tweed Valley MRT were able to cart him off to A&E by vehicle. Even when we had this additional excitement I still got to stand around while Eoin Lennon, President Hartree and other sorted it all out.
The serious bit. The temperature was about 10C, it was dry and a bit windy. Despite these relatively benign conditions Sandy was immediately cold, and had to be provided with lots of additional clothing on top of his mandatory kit. We were fortunate the injury happened in one of the more accessible parts of the course. It all worked out well, and the MRT congratulated us on how well ‘packaged’ the casualty was. However, I’d like you to take a moment to think about what may have happened if the injury had occurred on one of the less accessible parts of the course, and if the weather was wet. Hypothermia would have been a real danger.
This is why we mandate full waterproof body cover. This is why we check and check again the numbers of everyone running. Please don’t think you’ll never need those waterproof trousers, or a windproof is enough. We should also think carefully about what kit the marshals should have with them.
Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, bar a few grumbles about the descent off Hare Hill (it’s a hill race, you want manicured trails do a Park Run) and the stated distance (16 miles or 17 miles, who’s counting?). Same again next year I reckon – but better!
Joel
The organisation and marshals were brilliant, and great snacks at the end. Thank you!
I spent most of the race regretting my life-choices but thanks for a wonderfully organised event – the marshalls and everyone involved were fantastic. And felt like a welcome return to some sort of normality!
Thanks for a brilliant day out.
I had a blast in this year’s race and special thank you to the amazing marshals (definitely needed their encouragement on the final few miles). (Still nursing very sore legs)
Just to pass on massive thanks to the marshals. The course was well covered with marshals and as usual each and every one of them gave every runner great encouragement which was so appreciated. It really does make for a great race atmosphere and gives such a boost to the runners to push those final steps up to the summits.
Thanks for organising a great race. It was my first one and I really enjoyed it.
Place | Bib | Name | Team name | Category | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 247 | Alistair Masson | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 2:21:49 |
2 | 299 | Fergus Roberts | Ochil Hill Runners | M | 2:31:23 |
3 | 325 | Alastair Thomas | Edin Uni Hare and Hounds | M | 2:31:54 |
4 | 252 | Sam McCutcheon | Corstorphine AAC | M | 2:32:51 |
5 | 282 | Thomas Otton | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 2:35:09 |
6 | 155 | Dan Dry | Ilkley Harriers AC | M | 2:36:02 |
7 | 309 | Robert Simpson | Shettleston Harriers | M | 2:36:11 |
8 | 201 | Charles Houston | Hunters Bog Trotters | M | 2:36:36 |
9 | 190 | James Harris | Ambleside AC | M | 2:38:33 |
10 | 114 | Liam Braby | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 2:38:40 |
11 | 110 | Alasdair Bisset | Edin Uni Hare and Hounds | M | 2:39:01 |
12 | 318 | Daniel Stansfield | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 2:43:20 |
13 | 266 | Tim Morgan | M | 2:43:26 | |
14 | 257 | Ewan Mcmillan | Edin Uni Hare and Hounds | M | 2:43:47 |
15 | 288 | Alasdair Pedley | Edin Uni Hare and Hounds | M | 2:44:56 |
16 | 344 | Felix Wilson | Edin Uni Hare and Hounds | M | 2:45:01 |
17 | 244 | Andrew Macrae | Carnethy Hill Running Club | MV50 | 2:47:53 |
18 | 109 | Duncan Birse | Edinburgh Triathletes | M | 2:49:58 |
19 | 292 | Konrad Rawlik | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 2:51:40 |
20 | 333 | Sam Wainwright | Ochil Hill Runners | M | 2:52:04 |
21 | 163 | Iain Embrey | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 2:52:41 |
22 | 350 | Del Young | Westerlands Cross Country Club | M | 2:55:01 |
23 | 308 | Alistair Simpson | Corstorphine AAC | MV40 | 2:55:25 |
24 | 148 | Kirsty Dickson | Carnethy Hill Running Club | F | 2:57:54 |
25 | 267 | John Morris | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 2:58:11 |
26 | 131 | Lloyd Clayburn | Shettleston Harriers | M | 2:58:49 |
27 | 296 | David Riach | Westerlands Cross Country Club | MV50 | 3:00:00 |
28 | 191 | Mark Harris | Fife Athletic Club | MV50 | 3:00:09 |
29 | 283 | Rob Owen | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 3:00:29 |
30 | 169 | Colm Fitzgerald | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 3:00:42 |
31 | 336 | Chris Walsh | Hunters Bog Trotters | MV40 | 3:00:45 |
32 | 311 | Tom Slater | Carnethy Hill Running Club | MV40 | 3:02:34 |
33 | 228 | Elizabeth Leason | Carnethy Hill Running Club | F | 3:02:44 |
34 | 185 | Simon Hammond | Moorfoot Runners | M | 3:03:28 |
35 | 272 | Declan Murray | Macclesfield Harriers & AC | M | 3:03:31 |
36 | 335 | Sam Walsh | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 3:04:01 |
37 | 264 | Colm Moran | OUOC | M | 3:04:40 |
38 | 140 | Matthew Curry | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 3:05:28 |
39 | 262 | Rob Mitchell | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 3:05:37 |
40 | 305 | Jelmer Samplonius | Hunters Bog Trotters | M | 3:05:54 |
41 | 346 | Stephen Winter | Shettleston Harriers | MV40 | 3:06:19 |
42 | 295 | Abe Remmo | Race Fitness | MV40 | 3:06:59 |
43 | 332 | Richard Umpleby | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 3:07:13 |
44 | 198 | Andrew Hogarth | M | 3:07:31 | |
45 | 209 | Fergus Johnston | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 3:07:39 |
46 | 234 | Mark Lunt | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 3:07:50 |
47 | 177 | Peter Gardner | Hunters Bog Trotters | M | 3:08:51 |
48 | 164 | Sean Eng | Edinburgh Athletics Club | M | 3:08:53 |
49 | 187 | James Hardie | Carnethy Hill Running Club | MV40 | 3:09:57 |
50 | 230 | Andrew Lindsay | M | 3:10:15 | |
51 | 242 | Kerr Mackinnon | M | 3:10:55 | |
52 | 184 | Philip Hall | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 3:11:19 |
53 | 171 | Allen Flockhart | Carnethy Hill Running Club | MV40 | 3:11:21 |
54 | 338 | Louis Waterman-Evans | M | 3:12:37 | |
55 | 186 | David Hanna | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 3:12:53 |
56 | 153 | Ellen Downs | Dark Peak Fell Runners | F | 3:13:38 |
57 | 293 | Andrew Reeve | M | 3:13:43 | |
58 | 316 | Benjamin Smith | M | 3:15:19 | |
59 | 127 | Donald Christian | MV40 | 3:15:59 | |
60 | 119 | Roy Buchanan | Portobello Running Club | MV50 | 3:17:19 |
61 | 302 | Enguerrand Roignot | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 3:17:49 |
62 | 157 | Dyfan Dwyfor | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 3:18:05 |
63 | 125 | Kirsty Campbell | Carnethy Hill Running Club | F | 3:19:07 |
64 | 196 | Scott Henderson | Westerlands Cross Country Club | MV40 | 3:19:08 |
65 | 173 | Aidan Frost | M | 3:20:56 | |
66 | 270 | Angus Moyes | M | 3:21:06 | |
67 | 138 | Ewan Crawford | Hunters Bog Trotters | M | 3:21:55 |
68 | 279 | Cameron Osborne | M | 3:22:21 | |
69 | 249 | Donald McBryde | Race Fitness | MV40 | 3:22:31 |
70 | 276 | Iain Niblock | M | 3:23:28 | |
71 | 225 | Ka Hei Lam | MV40 | 3:24:00 | |
72 | 120 | Stuart Buckett | Fife Athletic Club | MV50 | 3:25:51 |
73 | 183 | Ali Gunn | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 3:26:20 |
74 | 124 | Anthony Callanan | Edinburgh Athletics Club | MV40 | 3:26:34 |
75 | 154 | Laura Dozier | Carnethy Hill Running Club | F | 3:26:45 |
76 | 239 | Anna Macfadyen | Edin Uni Hare and Hounds | F | 3:27:01 |
77 | 258 | Alex McVey | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 3:28:04 |
78 | 259 | Sebastien Menu | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 3:28:23 |
79 | 254 | Glen McGowan | MV60 | 3:29:49 | |
80 | 181 | Adam Gray | Penicuik Harriers | M | 3:32:20 |
81 | 144 | Neil Davidson | MV50 | 3:32:43 | |
82 | 182 | Michael Gudgeon | Pitreavie AAC | MV40 | 3:32:45 |
83 | 180 | Matthew Girvan | M | 3:32:52 | |
84 | 331 | John Tullis | M | 3:33:24 | |
85 | 112 | Tom Blankenstein | M | 3:33:58 | |
86 | 326 | Neil Thomas | Hunters Bog Trotters | MV50 | 3:34:01 |
87 | 274 | Grainne Neary | F | 3:34:07 | |
88 | 135 | David Corcoran | M | 3:34:09 | |
89 | 220 | Tom Kiely | Carnethy Hill Running Club | MV40 | 3:34:27 |
90 | 123 | Ossian Butler | Westerlands Cross Country Club | MV40 | 3:34:49 |
91 | 218 | Brian Kennedy | Carnethy Hill Running Club | MV40 | 3:34:59 |
92 | 250 | Alasdair McCallum | Norham Running Club | MV50 | 3:35:47 |
93 | 215 | Marcin Karpowicz | Portobello Running Club | M | 3:35:58 |
94 | 219 | Fiona Kerray | Carnethy Hill Running Club | F | 3:36:06 |
95 | 160 | Duncan Edmondson | MV50 | 3:36:31 | |
96 | 106 | Laura Barraclough | Edin Uni Hare and Hounds | F | 3:36:43 |
97 | 261 | Rory Mitchell | Carnethy Hill Running Club | MV40 | 3:36:55 |
98 | 208 | Philip Jenkinson | M | 3:37:21 | |
99 | 273 | Rona Myatt | F | 3:37:24 | |
100 | 145 | Damon Davies | ESOC | M | 3:39:21 |
101 | 323 | Charlie Taylor | VC Grimentz | MV50 | 3:39:52 |
102 | 251 | Ross McCrank | M | 3:40:29 | |
103 | 313 | Britton Smith | Carnethy Hill Running Club | MV40 | 3:40:57 |
104 | 340 | Gareth Wheeler | M | 3:41:28 | |
105 | 348 | Gillian Wright | F | 3:42:35 | |
106 | 111 | Lisa Blackley | FV40 | 3:44:32 | |
107 | 189 | Mark Hardy | Carnethy Hill Running Club | MV40 | 3:45:03 |
108 | 256 | Gerry McLachlan | MV50 | 3:46:04 | |
109 | 236 | Lewis Macaulay | M | 3:46:17 | |
110 | 243 | Sandy MacLellan | M | 3:46:37 | |
111 | 118 | Ailsa Bruce | F | 3:48:15 | |
112 | 237 | Gio MacDonald | Carnethy Hill Running Club | MV40 | 3:48:29 |
113 | 232 | Dave Lockhart | MV50 | 3:49:14 | |
114 | 143 | Angus Davidson | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 3:49:57 |
115 | 199 | Alan Hogg | Carnethy Hill Running Club | MV60 | 3:50:06 |
116 | 322 | Amy Tait Westwell | Falkland Trail Runners | F | 3:50:07 |
117 | 321 | Anna Szafranska | FV40 | 3:50:30 | |
118 | 117 | Lucy Browne | OUOC | F | 3:50:33 |
119 | 194 | James Haynes | Oxford City AC | M | 3:50:34 |
120 | 214 | Ignas Kancleris | M | 3:51:29 | |
121 | 108 | Imogen Bevan | Carnethy Hill Running Club | F | 3:51:33 |
122 | 134 | Fiona Comrie | North Ayrshire Athletics Club | FV40 | 3:51:36 |
123 | 312 | Gavin Smith | Bowland Fell Runners | MV60 | 3:52:38 |
124 | 345 | Craig Wilson | M | 3:53:15 | |
125 | 129 | Tom Clark | M | 3:53:25 | |
126 | 281 | Rafe Osborne | M | 3:53:41 | |
127 | 280 | Rosy Osborne | F | 3:54:11 | |
128 | 149 | John Donnelly | Westerlands Cross Country Club | MV50 | 3:54:20 |
129 | 324 | Philip Tervit | S. Morningside and Braids RC | MV40 | 3:54:29 |
130 | 213 | Judyta Kajstura | Edinburgh Triathletes | F | 3:56:38 |
131 | 317 | Andrew Spinks | M | 3:57:29 | |
132 | 221 | Mary Kiely | Carnethy Hill Running Club | FV50 | 3:57:50 |
133 | 315 | Eleanor Smith | Fife Athletic Club | FV40 | 3:58:09 |
134 | 179 | Iain Gilmore | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 3:58:33 |
135 | 172 | Juliane Friedrich | Penicuik Harriers | F | 3:59:01 |
136 | 216 | Myles Kelly | MV40 | 4:01:21 | |
137 | 229 | Colin Ledlie | Carnethy Hill Running Club | MV50 | 4:01:30 |
138 | 107 | Sharon Bergeret | Carnethy Hill Running Club | FV50 | 4:02:19 |
139 | 328 | Angus Thomson | Edinburgh Athletics Club | M | 4:04:16 |
140 | 166 | Angus Evans | MV40 | 4:04:32 | |
141 | 139 | Andrew Cross | Carnethy Hill Running Club | MV40 | 4:05:39 |
142 | 275 | Steven Newman | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 4:05:55 |
143 | 349 | Heather Young | Moorfoot Runners | F | 4:06:13 |
144 | 284 | Prasad Palani Velu | Carnethy Hill Running Club | M | 4:06:15 |
145 | 128 | Una Clancy | F | 4:07:14 | |
146 | 174 | Andrew Fullwood | Westerlands Cross Country Club | MV50 | 4:07:17 |
147 | 253 | Ian McDougall | Be Military Fit | MV40 | 4:07:19 |
148 | 161 | Alan Elder | Moorfoot Runners | MV50 | 4:08:00 |
149 | 277 | Mary Ockenden | Bowland Fell Runners | FV60 | 4:08:11 |
150 | 287 | Glen Pavely | MV40 | 4:08:19 | |
151 | 286 | Rachael Paul | Carnethy Hill Running Club | F | 4:09:02 |
152 | 162 | Ahmed Elsheikh | MV40 | 4:09:18 | |
153 | 217 | Sadie Kemp | Penicuik Harriers | FV40 | 4:13:36 |
154 | 211 | James Jones | MV40 | 4:13:54 | |
155 | 132 | Alan Cole | MV50 | 4:15:40 | |
156 | 206 | Philippa Ivison | Carnethy Hill Running Club | FV40 | 4:16:34 |
156 | 231 | Barbara Livingston | Carnethy Hill Running Club | FV40 | 4:16:34 |
158 | 337 | Nora Washbourne | F | 4:16:40 | |
159 | 121 | Matthew Bull | Westerlands Cross Country Club | MV40 | 4:17:55 |
160 | 176 | Edite Gailite | Penicuik Harriers | FV40 | 4:21:55 |
161 | 298 | Sarah-Jane Ritchie | F | 4:24:34 | |
162 | 102 | Craig Addison | Carnethy Hill Running Club | MV50 | 4:25:37 |
162 | 306 | Julia Sanders | Carnethy Hill Running Club | FV40 | 4:25:37 |
164 | 297 | Alex Rist | M | 4:28:33 | |
165 | 310 | Keith Sivell | M | 4:28:36 | |
166 | 226 | Magnus Laurenson | M | 4:30:15 | |
167 | 320 | Karen Stewart | F | 4:31:31 | |
168 | 241 | Laura Macfarlane | Glossopdale Harriers | F | 4:32:24 |
168 | 240 | Kate Macfarlane | Carnethy Hill Running Club | F | 4:32:24 |
170 | 202 | Mike Howard | Musselburgh and Dist Athletics Club | MV50 | 4:32:51 |
171 | 265 | Philip Morant | MV50 | 4:35:14 | |
172 | 248 | Timothy May | ESOC | MV50 | 4:43:55 |
173 | 203 | Brian Howie | Carnethy Hill Running Club | MV70 | 4:44:33 |
174 | 263 | Rachel Mollart | Lauderdale Limpers | FV50 | 4:44:37 |
175 | 165 | Felix Erben | M | 4:45:28 | |
176 | 205 | Nicki Innes | Carnethy Hill Running Club | FV50 | 4:48:35 |
176 | 285 | Ruth Paterson | Carnethy Hill Running Club | FV40 | 4:48:35 |
178 | 289 | Ben Place | MV40 | 4:55:12 | |
179 | 300 | Hugh Robertson | Insch Trail Running Club | MV40 | 5:04:36 |
Scottish Long Coastal Relays 2021
This year’s race, the fifth running of the event, took place after a year of missed and cancelled races, including this one in 2020. At one point we had a record-breaking 30+ teams which slowly fell to 10 on the day as other events came back onto the calendar over the course of the last 12 months. A tight field but nonetheless a competitive one. We’ve enjoyed near-perfect weather in the past for this event but this time something had to give and while it stayed dry for the vast majority of the race, the final runners were treated to some heavy autumnal rain.
Devils Burdens were this year’s victors in 15 hours 46.48, moving from 4th pace at the first transition at North Queensferry until St Andrews, where runner Scott Robb emerged as race leader. Thereafter they didn’t surrender their lead. Carnethy was represented across a few of the teams and this year’s result means that we are still waiting for a team or club to win the trophy more than once, with HBT coming closest to doing so, finishing third this year. No individual fastest leg times were set this year, although Dave Ward from HBT was very close to setting one on leg 4.
Again thanks to all the marshals for coming out in unsociable hours to support the race – it couldn’t happen without you.
Race page: http://carnethy.com/carnethy-organised-races/scottish-long-coastal-relays/
Mike Lynch
Hodgsons Report
The Hodgson Brothers Mountain Relay returned on Sunday, an event second only to the FRA Relays in terms of numbers and prestige in the fell running community. Always a fantastic day, it’s a super well organised affair thanks to different Lakes club and local Patterdale organisations. The weather did its best to derail proceedings but fellrunners and marshals are a hardy bunch so with gritted teeth and an extra mandatory long sleeve layer, 71 teams set off from the very waterlogged cricket field.
Dan and Sasha led us off on L1, which basically climbs to a tarn then descends off a cliff, running strongly to handover in 3rd behind Keswick and Ambleside. Sam and I began L2 at Hartsop in ideal position with 2 teams to chase as we climbed up to High Street. It was wild at the summit which we reached just ahead of the Ambleside pairing, but the clag cleared just as we hit the trod contouring round Thornthwaite Crag – Keswick taking a higher line allowing us to sneak in to the lead. A lead we held across Caudale Moor, bog-hopping before a greasy descent to Kirkstone Pass to hand over to Iain and Will. They weren’t quite expecting us so early, so with only half a warmup they set off in to the clag up the punishing Red Screes climb. With solid nav and line choices they finished L3 right in the mix just behind Calder Valley. Finn and Ali set off on L4 with a 10 second deficit to chase to a podium spot, and ran an extremely strong leg over St Sunday Crag to bring us home in 3rd.
An excellent result, sets us up nicely for British Relays in a couple of weeks where the club will turn out 4 strong teams – WSen, MV40, and MSen 1 and 2.
Full results: https://www.
Eóin Lennon
2021 Virtual London Marathon
On Sunday I ran the Virtual London Marathon. I chose a 26.2-mile route starting and finishing at my home that included a loop through the Pentlands. It covered 12 of the hills in the Skyline route. I only did Caerketton and Allermuir once (at the end) and missed out Hare Hill (to add some extra distance) and Castle Law (I was too knackered at that point to bother). It was a great day out and was wonderful to have company for the whole route. We had sun, rain, wind and even a rainbow. By the time I made it home my watch said I had 0.4 miles to go. Luckily the London Marathon tracking app said I had just finished. A 7:30 marathon is not a fast one but it was a grand day out in the hills. I plan on writing something longer for the Journal so for now I will just add few images here.
I ended up raising over £2700 for SAMH (donation link here) and quite a bit of that came from Carnethy members via the Winter Talks, Lock Down Quiz and personal donations. Thank you for the support it means a lot to me.
Sean Walker
Pandemicap #6 Arthur’s Seat and final championship results
Distance: 5.70km | Ascent: 365m | Duration: 28 days | Feature: A real race | Runners: 38
The final day of September marked the end of the 2021 Pandemicap series. The series did go out with a bang with a final Wednesday race on the classic Arthur’s Seat route. Morag – “A real handicap race! And a social in the pub afterwards – what’s not to like?”
Nicki Innes who won Arthur’s Seat in 2020, won the Wednesday race, recording a significantly better time than last year. Pete Cain who started race late could have come 2nd but still benefitted from racing – “Took 3 minutes off first attempt by doing the race”. 27 ran in the Wednesday race, results are available on the google sheet Arthur’s Seat Wed Race 29 Sept.
The Holyrood still offered the usual navigation challenges. Andrew – “The top of Whinny remaining elusive. Nice evening with loads of people out!”. Rob decided to add Nether hill for some extra distance. Some advice from Sharon – “If in doubt just keep left”.
71% beat their Arthur’s Seat handicap, almost identical to Capelaw, but lower than the 84% on the fast “flat” Braids course. Comparing 2020 to 2021 Arthur’s Seat shows 75% improved on their time, almost certainly helped by the race.
Thanks to Richard for sorting the post-race social at The Royal Dick and big thanks to Ken for all his timely Carnethy communications throughout the Pandemicap series.
Arthur’s Seat Handicap – Top 3 places:
Congratulations to Ken who takes virtual Arthur’s Seat top prize, winning the Pandemicap #6. “Would have preferred to join the group run. But fabulous dry conditions.” We’ll leave Ken to tell Nicki that she’ll have to settle for 3rd this year.
Position | Name |
#1 | Kenneth Fordyce |
#2 | Stephen Croft |
#3 | Nicki Innes |
Handicap Championship – Final overall standings
Congratulations to Sharon Berget the 2021 series champion. It really came down to just Sharon and Hilary. Both scored well in first handicap which set them up for a good series.
110 runners posted at least 1 time for a course. 12 runners completed all 6 courses, well done. Steve Best who is consistently one of the first to run each course, wins the extremely keen prize.
Final Position | Name | Best 3 run points |
1st | Sharon Bergert | 145.1 |
2nd | Hilary Spenceley | 142.7 |
3rd | Sebastien Menu | 128.9 |
4th | Gordon Eadie | 126.4 |
5th | Pete Cain | 126.3 |
Arthur’s Seat Ladies – Fastest course times
There were a few new participants in the final race, the Alt C5 winner Pippa leading the ladies with a great first run.
Name | Run time |
Pippa Dakin | 38.30 |
Fiona Kerray | 40.53 |
Alex Maskell | 42.03 |
Arthur’s Seat Gentlemen – Fastest course times
Mark Lunt has been getting back to his best in the last couple of months following injury. Mark’s run time was the one of the fastest in the last 5 years. Mark finishes a very respectable 9th place in the championship.
Name | Run time |
Mark Lunt | 32.53 |
John Morris | 33.40 |
Craig Hogg | 35.32 |
Results:
Position | First name | Surname | Run time | Handicap time | Finish time | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kenneth | Fordyce | 45.38 | 11.21 | 56.59 | 50.0 |
2 | Stephen | Croft | 45.44 | 12.42 | 58.26 | 48.7 |
3 | Nicki | Innes | 52.41 | 5.59 | 58.40 | 47.4 |
4 | Pete | Cain | 43.59 | 14.52 | 58.51 | 46.1 |
5 | Craig | Hogg | 35.32 | 23.55 | 59.27 | 44.7 |
6 | Sebastien | Menu | 37.37 | 21.59 | 59.36 | 43.4 |
7 | Fiona | Kerray | 40.53 | 18.52 | 59.45 | 42.1 |
8 | Win | Rampen | 48.23 | 11.23 | 59.46 | 40.8 |
9 | Sharon | Bergert | 48.29 | 11.27 | 59.56 | 39.5 |
10 | Pippa | Dakin | 38.30 | 21.26 | 59.56 | 39.5 |
11 | Alexander | Kinninmonth | 39.16 | 20.41 | 59.57 | 36.8 |
12 | Rob | Owen | 40.01 | 20.14 | 60.15 | 35.5 |
13 | Alex | Maskell | 42.03 | 18.30 | 60.33 | 34.2 |
14 | Mark | Hartree | 51.02 | 9.58 | 61.00 | 32.9 |
15 | Morag | McIntyre | 46.53 | 14.08 | 61.01 | 31.6 |
16 | Hilary | Spenceley | 56.55 | 4.08 | 61.03 | 30.3 |
17 | Fergus | Johnston | 36.19 | 24.59 | 61.18 | 28.9 |
18 | Nicola | Dunn | 55.14 | 6.11 | 61.25 | 27.6 |
19 | Mark | Lunt | 32.53 | 28.47 | 61.40 | 26.3 |
20 | John | Morris | 33.40 | 28.04 | 61.44 | 25.0 |
21 | Graham | McIntyre | 49.48 | 12.04 | 61.52 | 23.7 |
22 | Richard | Wilson | 39.25 | 22.47 | 62.12 | 22.4 |
23 | Neil | Burnett | 39.55 | 22.25 | 62.20 | 21.1 |
24 | Andrew | Davison | 41.51 | 20.30 | 62.21 | 19.7 |
25 | Charlie | McCulloch | 41.10 | 21.32 | 62.42 | 18.4 |
26 | Gordon | Cameron | 43.06 | 19.36 | 62.42 | 18.4 |
27 | Steve | Best | 38.13 | 24.48 | 63.01 | 15.8 |
28 | Imogen | Bevan | 46.21 | 17.35 | 63.56 | 14.5 |
29 | Gio | MacDonald | 46.15 | 18.16 | 64.31 | 13.2 |
30 | Clare | Mcdonnell | 45.12 | 19.40 | 64.52 | 11.8 |
31 | Michael | Wilkinson | 57.14 | 9.12 | 66.26 | 10.5 |
32 | Brian | Howie | 61.14 | 5.46 | 67.00 | 9.2 |
33 | James | Ball | 41.10 | 26.05 | 67.15 | 7.9 |
34 | Willie | Gibson | 65.22 | 2.22 | 67.44 | 6.6 |
35 | Sandra | Chandler | 69.59 | 0.55 | 70.54 | 5.3 |
36 | Eleanor | Mackenzie | 80.14 | -3.41 | 76.33 | 3.9 |
37 | Fiona | Mackenzie | 80.14 | -3.41 | 76.33 | 3.9 |
38 | Al | McGowan | 86.44 | -5.59 | 80.45 | 1.3 |
Final overall standings:
1st Name | 2nd Name | 1 - Capelaw | 2 - Eóin Special | 3 - Carnethycap | 3 - Irn-Braid | 5 - Scald Law | 6 - Arthur's Seat | Completed | Total Best 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sharon | Bergert | 48.75 | 0.85 | 0.00 | 47.78 | 48.60 | 39.50 | 5 | 145.1 |
Hilary | Spenceley | 48.13 | 11.02 | 49.02 | 45.56 | 7.10 | 30.30 | 6 | 142.7 |
Sebastien | Menu | 43.13 | 42.37 | 19.61 | 7.78 | 0.00 | 43.40 | 5 | 128.9 |
Gordon | Eadie | 6.25 | 48.31 | 32.35 | 27.78 | 45.70 | 0.00 | 5 | 126.4 |
Pete | Cain | 18.75 | 17.80 | 40.20 | 40.00 | 21.40 | 46.10 | 6 | 126.3 |
Alexander | Kinninmonth | 45.00 | 38.14 | 0.00 | 12.22 | 35.70 | 36.80 | 5 | 119.9 |
Imogen | Bevan | 43.75 | 41.53 | 12.75 | 34.44 | 0.00 | 14.50 | 5 | 119.7 |
Michael | Reid | 46.88 | 36.44 | 36.27 | 0.00 | 32.90 | 0.00 | 4 | 119.6 |
Mark | Lunt | 5.00 | 49.15 | 23.53 | 11.11 | 42.90 | 26.30 | 6 | 118.4 |
Andrew | Lamont | 31.88 | 47.46 | 27.45 | 8.89 | 34.30 | 0.00 | 5 | 113.6 |
Stephen | Croft | 6.88 | 20.34 | 26.47 | 37.78 | 12.90 | 48.70 | 6 | 112.9 |
Morag | McIntyre | 29.38 | 13.56 | 48.04 | 32.22 | 28.60 | 31.60 | 6 | 111.9 |
Douglas | Macqueen | 45.63 | 22.03 | 44.12 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3 | 111.8 |
Kenneth | Fordyce | 10.00 | 0.00 | 6.86 | 43.33 | 15.70 | 50.00 | 5 | 109.0 |
Gordon | Cameron | 41.88 | 28.81 | 16.67 | 30.00 | 37.10 | 18.40 | 6 | 109.0 |
Richard | Wilson | 40.63 | 45.76 | 0.00 | 13.33 | 0.00 | 22.40 | 4 | 108.8 |
Nicki | Innes | 13.13 | 8.47 | 47.06 | 6.67 | 8.60 | 47.40 | 6 | 107.6 |
Martha | Koerner | 32.50 | 32.20 | 42.16 | 31.11 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 4 | 106.9 |
Craig | Hogg | 28.13 | 33.90 | 25.49 | 18.89 | 14.30 | 44.70 | 6 | 106.7 |
Dessie | Flanagan | 15.63 | 46.61 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 44.30 | 0.00 | 3 | 106.5 |
James | Britton | 25.63 | 43.22 | 37.25 | 14.44 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 4 | 106.1 |
Andrew | Davison | 42.50 | 38.98 | 0.00 | 23.33 | 24.30 | 19.70 | 5 | 105.8 |
Steve | Best | 33.13 | 37.29 | 34.31 | 28.89 | 22.90 | 15.80 | 6 | 104.7 |
Gareth | Callaghan | 46.25 | 9.32 | 0.00 | 48.89 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3 | 104.5 |
Moira | Stewart | 49.38 | 0.00 | 13.73 | 41.11 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3 | 104.2 |
Drew | Sharkey | 20.00 | 44.92 | 39.22 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3 | 104.1 |
Mark | Hartree | 10.63 | 12.71 | 0.00 | 38.89 | 31.40 | 32.90 | 5 | 103.2 |
Neil | McLure | 40.00 | 34.75 | 0.00 | 24.44 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3 | 99.2 |
Clare | Mcdonnell | 33.75 | 26.27 | 29.41 | 35.56 | 18.60 | 11.80 | 6 | 98.7 |
Graham | McIntyre | 3.75 | 16.10 | 41.18 | 33.33 | 20.00 | 23.70 | 6 | 98.2 |
Nicola | Dunn | 23.13 | 6.78 | 46.08 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 27.60 | 4 | 96.8 |
Andrew | Spenceley | 25.63 | 27.97 | 43.14 | 1.11 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 4 | 96.7 |
Elizabeth | Leason | 36.88 | 33.05 | 0.00 | 26.67 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3 | 96.6 |
Luke | Blackbourn | 9.38 | 30.51 | 7.84 | 26.67 | 38.60 | 0.00 | 5 | 95.8 |
James | Hardie | 0.00 | 10.17 | 38.24 | 42.22 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3 | 90.6 |
Willie | Gibson | 21.88 | 7.63 | 28.43 | 10.00 | 40.00 | 6.60 | 6 | 90.3 |
Andy | Macrae | 26.25 | 0.00 | 33.33 | 0.00 | 30.00 | 0.00 | 3 | 89.6 |
Donald | Johnston | 27.50 | 16.95 | 45.10 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3 | 89.6 |
Stewart | Whitlie | 30.00 | 22.88 | 30.39 | 0.00 | 27.10 | 0.00 | 4 | 87.5 |
Michelle | Hetherington | 19.38 | 0.00 | 14.71 | 5.56 | 50.00 | 0.00 | 4 | 84.1 |
Michael | Wilkinson | 0.00 | 0.00 | 21.57 | 50.00 | 11.40 | 10.50 | 4 | 83.0 |
Alan | Renville | 18.13 | 0.00 | 20.59 | 0.00 | 42.90 | 0.00 | 3 | 81.6 |
Raphael | Bleakley | 24.38 | 21.19 | 35.29 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3 | 80.9 |
Alex | Maskell | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 20.00 | 25.70 | 34.20 | 3 | 79.9 |
Aron | Mitchell | 13.75 | 14.41 | 50.00 | 0.00 | 5.70 | 0.00 | 4 | 78.2 |
Alex | Coakley | 4.38 | 50.00 | 22.55 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3 | 76.9 |
Tom | Slater | 31.25 | 0.00 | 24.51 | 17.78 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3 | 73.5 |
John | Morris | 23.75 | 24.58 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 25.00 | 3 | 73.3 |
Kit | Craig | 0.00 | 40.68 | 15.69 | 15.56 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3 | 71.9 |
Colin | Ledlie | 38.75 | 0.00 | 31.37 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2 | 70.1 |
Philip | Brocklehurst | 44.38 | 23.73 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2 | 68.1 |
Eóin | Lennon | 26.88 | 40.68 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2 | 67.6 |
Phil | Hall | 38.13 | 27.12 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2 | 65.3 |
Rob | Owen | 0.00 | 11.86 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 17.10 | 35.50 | 3 | 64.5 |
Robert | Waterhouse | 0.00 | 0.00 | 9.80 | 0.00 | 47.10 | 0.00 | 2 | 56.9 |
Hugh | Brady | 0.00 | 0.00 | 10.78 | 44.44 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2 | 55.2 |
Britton | Smith | 16.88 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 36.67 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2 | 53.5 |
Sean | Walker | 0.00 | 5.08 | 0.00 | 46.67 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2 | 51.7 |
Rachael | Nash | 50.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 50.0 |
Anthony | Hemmings | 14.38 | 35.59 | 0.00 | 0.0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2 | 50.0 |
Fergus | Johnston | 0.00 | 0.00 | 18.63 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 28.90 | 2 | 47.5 |
Craig | Addison | 47.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 47.5 |
Rob | Hemming | 0.00 | 44.07 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 44.1 |
Fiona | Kerray | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 42.10 | 1 | 42.1 |
Rory | Mitchell | 41.25 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 41.3 |
Win | Rampen | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 40.80 | 1 | 40.8 |
Angus | Johnston | 36.88 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.33 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2 | 40.2 |
Neil | Gilmore | 40.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 40.0 |
Pippa | Dakin | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 39.50 | 1 | 39.5 |
Michael | Andrew | 37.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 37.5 |
Andrew | Shepherd | 35.63 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 35.6 |
Sandy | Mudie | 35.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 35.0 |
Peter | Macdonald | 34.38 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 34.4 |
Lee | Murphy | 17.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 16.67 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2 | 34.2 |
Alex | Sutherland | 0.00 | 32.20 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 32.2 |
Richard | Chandler | 3.13 | 5.93 | 3.92 | 21.11 | 4.30 | 0.00 | 5 | 31.3 |
Samuel | Tosh | 30.63 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 30.6 |
Andrew | Fallas | 0.00 | 29.66 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 29.7 |
Jonny | Muir | 28.75 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 28.8 |
Neil | Gordon | 0.00 | 0.00 | 4.90 | 22.22 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2 | 27.1 |
Garry | Forfar | 0.00 | 25.42 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 25.4 |
Ali | Black | 22.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 22.5 |
Graham | Nash | 21.88 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 21.9 |
Neil | Burnett | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 21.10 | 1 | 21.1 |
Christopher | O'Brien | 20.63 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 20.6 |
Jamie | Gillespie | 0.00 | 19.49 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 19.5 |
Joel | Chaney | 0.00 | 18.64 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 18.6 |
Charlie | McCulloch | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 18.40 | 1 | 18.4 |
Roly | Simpson | 0.00 | 0.00 | 17.65 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 17.7 |
Alex | McVey | 16.88 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 16.9 |
Sandra | Chandler | 5.63 | 0.00 | 5.88 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 5.30 | 3 | 16.8 |
Iain | Swan | 0.00 | 15.25 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 15.3 |
Al | McGowan | 1.88 | 1.69 | 8.82 | 4.44 | 0.00 | 1.30 | 5 | 15.1 |
Hayden | Lingard | 15.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 15.0 |
Cali | Ingham | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.98 | 2.22 | 10.00 | 0.00 | 3 | 13.2 |
Gio | MacDonald | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 13.20 | 1 | 13.2 |
Christopher | Busby | 12.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 12.5 |
Angus | Davidson | 11.88 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 11.9 |
Sarah | Foster | 0.00 | 0.00 | 11.76 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 11.8 |
Mark | Hooper | 11.25 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1 | 11.3 |
Phillipa | Burns | 7.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.90 | 0.00 | 2 | 10.4 |
Fiona | Mackenzie | 2.50 | 3.39 | 2.94 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.90 | 4 | 10.2 |
Brian | Howie | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 9.2 | 1 | 9.2 |
Steven | Fallon | 8.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8.8 |
Eleanor | Mackenzie | 0.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 3.9 | 3 | 8.4 |
Alan | Hogg | 8.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8.1 |
James | Ball | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 7.9 | 1 | 7.9 |
James | KennedyÊ | 0.0 | 4.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4.2 |
Ivar | Bundulis | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 0 | 2 | 2.0 |
Sorrel | Cosens | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.3 |
Those looking for more of a breakdown on data see Google sheet.
Eagle Hill Fell Race 26 Sept 2021
A wee report from the first running of the “Eagle Hill” fell race in Moffat. The race formed part of a week of activities in Moffat supporting and celebrating the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project.
Moffat is apparently Scotland’s first “Eagle Town”. The race suffered from competing events over the weekend and had a low turnout of just 26 runners with just 1 runner in a Carnethy vest. The race itself was a great route starting in the town centre with a steady progression uphill through road, track, trail, field, burn and then onto rough open hillside visiting Hind Hill twice and Greygill Head.
Winning time was 51:45 for a route of around 10 km and 550 m ascent. The local MSP turned up for the prize giving with every runner getting some eagle pins and a bottle or two of Golden Eagle Ale. Overall a great event which will hopefully return next year and is definitely worth supporting.
Colin Ledlie
Alternative Carnethy 5 2021 results
The Alt Carnethy 5 went ahead with a slightly different format this year. Runners had 2 weeks to complete a series of 5 races and submit their best times. There was also an organised group effort on one course every weeknight for anyone looking for some chums.
Some runners opted for big days, getting several routes done in a day. Others spaced them out over the two week period.
It was great seeing folk out getting their efforts in, squeezing it in around work and domestic jobs (like Stewart moving house..). The beauty of this format is it gives people chance to recce – exploring new trods and finding ways to shave off precious seconds. I bumped into Michelle whilst busting my gask up Gask, who went on to run the route in the opposite direction to decide which is best. Gask is a tough hill whichever way you go at it.
Dam Dam Dam made for an interesting route with a significant shortcut involving tricky nav and tussocky nonsense underfoot (made harder for runners who did it in the dark, fog and rain) – the jury’s out on whether it’s worth it. Allermuir up / down is a lot simpler – not many route choices there, the main challenge was picking a day where the wind wasn’t trying to scoop you off the hill, and avoiding the coos. I think most folk did these two in one outing up then down, except Lucas who did down then up.
Caerketton Erraid involved a meaty start to get up the hill and a lovely section through the Erraid woods to finish, where picking the right line got tricky. This must have been tough for many, having already done other routes on the same day.
Well done to everyone who took part! 16 runners did all 5 runs. And congratulations to Alex McVey and Pippa Dakin who are the overall male / female winners. Alex smashing it with 1st place in every race.
Rob Owen
Race participants
Dam, Dam, Dam | Allermuir Up | Allermuir Down | Caerketton Erraid | Busting a Gask |
17 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 16 |
Male – 5 races
Name | Dam, Dam, Dam | Allermuir Up | Allermuir Down | Caerketton Erraid | Busting a Gask | Grand Total |
Alex McVey | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
Stewart Whitlie | 4 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 20 |
Steve Best | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 26 |
Richie Umpleby | 10 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 31 |
Alistair Black | 6 | 8 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 35 |
James Britton | 2 | 4 | 16 | 7 | 10 | 39 |
Harry Gilmore | 9 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 40 |
Neil Burnett | 7 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 42 |
Rob Owen | 5 | 1 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 43 |
Christopher O’Brien | 13 | 10 | 5 | 14 | 8 | 50 |
Gordon Cameron | 11 | 12 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 70 |
Mark Hartree | 14 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 13 | 83 |
Michael Wilkinson | 17 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 92 |
Female – 5 races
Name | Dam, Dam, Dam | Allermuir Up | Allermuir Down | Caerketton Erraid | Busting a Gask | Grand Total |
Pippa Dakin | 8 | 7 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 42 |
Michelle Hetherington | 12 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 68 |
Hilary Spenceley | 16 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 88 |
Each race times
A wee note to say how much I enjoyed the latest edition of the Alt C5. Always a highlight of my running year, there were four new routes this year which added to the enjoyment, and even had me out recceing! Thanks to the pals who accompanied me, with much dam-damming on the rough route ( who called it “Joy”, Mark?) on the Bonaly course. It turned out the long way round on the real attempt took me exactly the same time, but avoided the risk of breaking an ankle. On recceing the Caerketton- Erraid route, I emailed Mark to ask if he REALLY meant us to go down the horrible left hand side of the fence off Caerketton, rather than the lovely grassy track on the right. When he replied in the affirmative I wished I hadn’t asked the question but had used my common sense( which clearly differed from his)! “Bust a Gask” gave us the option of running clockwise or anticlockwise. Those who know why I, briefly, “had a hand on the handicap trophy”( thanks Ken, my head has shrunk back to normal!) will understand why I picked the clockwise route with steep climbs and more gradual descents…apart from the horrid one at the Flotterstone end of Glencourse reservoir. Allermuir Uphill was a delight as usual, and Mark allowed me to take a minute out of him. The Allermuir doonhiller was much nicer than previous years’ Caerketton Downhill.
I was at the back of the field in all five events, but I did do them all in a week and felt energised and well chuffed to be one of the 16 to do them all. Many thanks, Mark, for all your efforts. I hope they are now a firm fixture in the club diary and that more folk will be encouraged to take up the challenge in future. I’m living proof that you don’t have to be young and fast!
As the AGM approaches, it also feels timely to reflect on all the work the Committee and others have put in over the last year to keep us stimulated, fit and sane. Thank you! The pandemicaps were great, with so many novel routes, and the new format of a few weeks to run at a time/in weather conditions of your choosing or opting for in-person races. I discovered I DO run faster with a Nicki/Nikki on my heels! Even downhill! Several of these have become favourite return-to places, and new trods have definitely developed. The 12 hills of Christmas also took us out to less familiar parts and involved the additional challenge of competing against the Trotters, as did the Bucket List Challenge (I didn’t see the otter or the sunrise/sunset but otherwise ticked everything). Particularly memorable were Allermuir to the Sea with a swim at the end, and exposure conditions for the Taps Aff on Black Hill
Thanks too to everyone involved in organising all the tech in the background, the google sheets, handicaps, and all the Covid stuff, particular thanks to Nikki Dunn on that front.
Hilary Spenceley