Part of the Scottish Long Classics Series, Ben Rinnes is the most “straight-forward” of the series, an out and back over 22.4km with 5 gruelling climbs totalling 1,500m.
Digby’s 2011 report synopsis about the games still applied on Saturday: “Great fun with stirring pipe bands, very large men variously throwing, heaving & tossing hefty objects and lots of other events.”
The hill runners get to do a circuit of the 200m track in front on the crowds at the start and end. Carnethy Captain Ali was the first runner greeted home and the only one to go under 2 hours this year. Naomi Lang from Aberdeen ACC cruised to victory as the first lady home. Naomi even hinted about joining Carnethy. Sophie was first Carnethy lady, finishing 2nd with a comfortable gap ahead of Deeside runner Meryl Cooper.
Thanks to organiser Jill Stephen, all marshals (so many 4x4s) and Dufftown Highland Games Committee for generous prizes.
Full hill race results: https://www.scottishhillrunners.uk/RaceResults.aspx
Carnethy marching band:
Pos | Runner | Cat | Time | Prizes |
1 | Ali Masson | M | 01:56:24 | 1st M |
9 | Tim Morgan | M | 02:16:28 | See track and field |
10 | Naomi Lang (Aberdeen ACC) | FU23 | 02:17:02 | 1st F |
11 | Andy Lamont | M40 | 02:18:45 | 3rd MV40 |
13 | Jonny Muir | M40 | 02:26:10 | |
15 | Sophie Horrocks | F | 02:29:15 | 2nd F |
42 | Sarah Ormerod | F | 03:01:26 | |
46 | Dani Lachovicz | F40 | 03:04:38 | 3rd FV40 |
Continue reading if interested in track and field…
Ali and Tim were itching for more. They found the triple jump and tug of war were already under way. We could still enter the 400m, high jump, 800m and 1,600m in that order.
The 400m entry looked sparse. It was Ali, Tim, 1 other hill runner, Mr Track & Field and 2 from a stag group wearing kilts. Mr Track & Field won comfortably. There were cash prizes for top the 4 places, suddenly the other events looked more appealing (£). Ali went off to refuel…Tim went off to the high jump.
Mr Track & Field and most of the stag group were warming up on the high jump. Tim knocked over the bar several times in practice, it looked like it was going to be a short-lived event for him. Then the competition started. Tim’s form improved with every jump. As the bar got higher, the remaining stag party tucked their kilts into underpants which helped (unsurprisingly it’s not the ideal garment for the high jump). It finally came down to Tim and Mr Track & Field. Both knocked over the final height. Then Mr Track & Field cleared it. Tim got a well-deserved 2nd place.
The 800m…4 laps. Mr Track & Field only just won. 2nd place was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct. Ali was promoted to 2nd, Tim to 3rd, Andy didn’t come last.
The 1600m…you guessed it, 8 laps. More hill runners joined in. Ali went off hard, chased by Mr Track & Field. It came down to a climax sprint finish. Mr Track & Field pipped Ali to the line in a photo finish.
Ali had turned his £8 entry fee into £185 winnings. Tim signed a high jump sponsorship deal with Glenfiddich. Carnethy Athletics Club was founded.
Andrew Lamont