Alternative Carnethy 5 – 2016 |
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The idea is to complete 5 races in 5 days with the accumulated time going forward into the “magical scoring system”. You don’t have to do the races at any particular time or day as long as they are started on the Monday and completed by the Sunday. If you want company 7pm (6.30pm on Friday) is the time to start on the days mentioned. You could do them all on one day if you wanted. You take your own time and send it in (along with your age) to Mark Hartree. In 2012 the times were adjusted by subtracting a time (in minutes) of (AGE-squared)/60 for men and (AGE-squared)/30 for women. The handicapping was invented so that the young speed-merchants like Andy Fallas, Helen Bonsor and Jasmin Paris etcetera couldn’t win the overall title. This year the times were adjusted with a factor based on the runners SHR percentage. Results 2016 (click to enlarge): Reports for 2016
Unfortunately everyone posted on Facebook but I stole these pics off Mary. It was spectacularly lovely sunny and warm! Day 2 and the Allermuir Uphill
Alternative Carnethy 5 race 2 was somewhat different from last night with low clag, midges and but still very warm. A few started earlier with three Jones kids meeting us with shouts of encouragement at the top, with this fine bunch starting at 7pm. Day 3 and the Caerketton Downhill Day 4 and the ‘Reservoir Dogs’ The 4th race in the Alternative Carnethy 5 took in trails around Threipmuir and Harlaw reservoirs with a good chase between those at the front with Liam Braby finishing in just over 30mins chased but several suitors. Mark Hartree Day 5 and the Very Mini Mountain Marathon The first question I got asked by the 10 folk who turned up on Friday night for the last Alternative Carnethy 5 race – was ‘is there a bad weather route?’ Mark Hartree
A very wild and wet finish to the series. No sheep ate any markers though they were bent flat in the gale. I hear two of the fastest runners missed their last checkpoint (or first depending on your direction – the gorsey re-entrant). Anyone doing it in good weather may get a time penalty! Good fun. The All-in-a-day-ers Jeff’s report… Well that certainly turned into a rather epic afternoon, and the furthest I’ve ever run in a single outing! Thanks for at least having all 5 relatively close together with plenty of streams to rehydrate between them, excellent planning. Before I get to the times, a few highs and lows from the afternoon of adventure. I set off from Hillend at 12:30 with a rough estimate it would take me about 5h30, although I hadn’t measured the route. The weather forecast didn’t disappoint and I enjoyed my warmup jog round to Castlelaw where I caught my breath and chatted to one of the Pentland Push marshals, vaguely explaining what I was doing. Out with the map that I’d done my best not to look at in too much detail while printing, watch started, and off I set. Met Mark coming the other way down the track past the firing ranges as I headed for the re-entrant gorse bush. Think I took a reasonable route and really enjoyed the mini mountain marathon. On the way over to Reservoir Dogs who should I bump into but President Willie who was doing the same as me only following a different route. Now some may argue that his route was smarter, or that it was [cough] cheating [cough], but I’m happy to let it stand if you are. Going to the official start of each race only added 10km, and what’s 10km between friends! Anyway, I made it round that and onto Bonaly Scalextric, starting to flag a bit. 3rd one done I continued on, passed the finish of the Pentland Push wishing it was also the finish for me. By the foot of Allermuir I was a bit broken, and after jogging out from the start accepted that this one I’d do well to maintain a brisk walk to the top. Descending Allermuir towards Caerketton I knew the game was up and it was a matter of getting to the finish, and anything less than 10 minutes for the doonhiller would be good. So onto the times, and from anything I’ve seen on Strava they aren’t quick, but I guess I knew that would be the case going into this. Mini Mountain Marathon – 48:49 Reservoir Dogs – 42:11 Bonaly Scalextric – 39:16 Allermuir Uphill – 27:22 Caerketton Doonhill – 10:14 Total time – 5 hours 50 minutes. Total distance – 43.6km (1450m ascent) Jeff Roberts Willie’s Report…With my knees not behaving very well and generally not running fast (more like hobbling) at the moment, I was happy to time the Caerketton Doonhiller on Wednesday. But I had a plan for the Alt C5. So on Saturday morning I studied the maps and worked out what I thought was the most ecconomical (in climb and distance) route to complete the run in a oner. So I headed off to The Uphill Allermuir start and parked the car. With a loaf of Soreen, 700ml water, and a can of green coke I set off. The Uphill was fine, taken very easy, then down to the Capelaw col where the “Pentland Push” support tent was offering food and drink, I will remember that for later. I skirted north of Capelaw and when I joined the Bonaly Scalectric route I started my watch. after that circuit I reclimbed Habour Hill and met the Mountain Safety guys from the Pentland Push (Fraser’s Pal Keith). After a Chat I was at the Maidens Cleugh gate and started the Reservoir Dogs circuit. A nice run but a bit hard underfoot, and there were strange looks from the walkers at Harelaw as I hobbled past. But I did overtake a cyclist on the climb back to my start point. After half a loaf of soreen and a can of coke and a close look at the Mini-Mountain Marathon route I headed down to aim for checkpoint B to start my circuit. I met Jeff Roberts on his way up. He was even dafter (less smart) then me going to every start! I found the checkpoint and restudied the map, then off I went, wading the first stream I decided the water was good enough, so as I soaked my knees int the cold water I drank my sig and refilled it and headed on. It took a while on my tired legs and I repeated the sig drink on my return before getting back to my start and then heading for Allermuir. The Pentland Push food station came in handy as I drank some water with orange slices and chatted to Murdo McEwan, before climbing Allermuir again and heading for Caerketton and “Ran” the Doonhiller in 19 minutes. With a mile jog after that I was back at the car. A grand day out with nice varied routes, thanks Mark! 21 miles : 4381 feet : 6:33:55 Willie Gibson |
Events are organised by Carnethy Hill Running Club; contact Mark Hartree for further details.
Monday 5th September – ‘Bonaly Scalextric’
Parking: Bonaly Carpark Route: Head on LH path, cross burn after 50M, follow path steeply up around White Hill, cross fence style on edge of woods. We run heading up hills along old wall of on track on the left to gate. Turn right and follow trail to woods (Bonaly Res on Right). Continue up hill to fence corner. Cross and fast descent passing woods to gate. Turn leftwards following ‘Scalextric trail’ to corner of woods, Cross fence and run down edge of woods and fields to path and back to start. |
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Tuesday 6th September – ‘Allermuir uuuppphhhiillll’ This can be done as a run, or a mountain bike challenge ascent, or both!
Parking: Area on left just after bridge over bypass Route: Follows track beside the road to cross by the clubhouse. Cross carpark and follow path beside the burn, cross track. Straight up green path heading towards Allermuir crossing dried stream, a peaty area, then final stepper climb to summit. Admire the view. The following option is also available but not scored as part of the races: |
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Wednesday 7th September: Caerketton Downhill Race (Carnethy organised race courtesy Mark Johnston) Where: Registration at Hillend carpark, start at summit When: 7pm, registration 6-6.30pm (free to Carnethy members sporting their Carnethy vest) Distance: 1.8km Ascent: -300m Estimated run time: 5-10mins Description: Straight doon, as quick as you can go! |
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Thursday 8th September ‘Reservoir Dogs’
Parking: Harlaw carpark Route: Run East on path through fields, then gate heading to col. Turn Right ((SW) follow fence on green trods up over hill. Descend to valley and cross bog (can be very wet here). Pick up path on other side, follow to wee hut. Cross bridge over reservoir and turn left. Follow path around reservoirs through woods back to start. Swimming across reservoir allowed if sunny)! |
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Friday 9th September – The Mystery Route
Start: Castlelaw Carpark Grid Ref 230 637
Note them down! |
Carnethy Hill Running Club is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in Scotland with registered number SC492072
All Carnethy organised races (unless stated otherwise) will adhere to the Scottish Hill Runners safety rules, and all competitors and club members are expected to adhere to them. Full details on the Hill Racing Safety page