On a splendid sunny night in the borders Steve
Fallon was the fastest runner in 47:26, closely followed by Adam Ward
on 48:03, with young Andrew Gilmour
a very creditable 3rd place (and 2nd finisher). I won't be to specific about
who finished first but rumours of improper conduct have been categorically
denied. And it's a complete coincidence that Willie Mykura also won this year.
Meanwhile in the overall standings Jonathan Whitehead and Matteo Tesser are
sharing the yellow jersey, but with the peleton very close behind.
Phil Young
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Broughton Handicap
"They
cam ane hour to spen' on the greenwood swaird;
…Amang thae greenest hills shone on by the
sun; and they wan a rest; The lownest and
the best"
Dr John Brown
Aye well, for me it was a bit over the hour that I spen'
before I, one of the lownest, wan my rest but thae greenest hills
were certainly shone on by the sun as it was hot running out.
A new organiser,
a new handicap, a new route but old memories for me and I remember
running the route in reverse with Dave Peck a
decade or so ago in similar conditions, although I was in different
condition then, ha, ha.
So after the off, there's only (hah, only) Bill
ahead, keeping up a steady pace and gait. Up over Clover Law and
Michael Wilkinson
runs into the mix and we juggle positions whilst Bill gets closer
but keeps ahead. So it continued over Cowiemuir Hass until Michael
gradually,
inexorably, crept by Bill to his (Michael's) undoing for whilst Bill
and I knew the route, Michael was going by the map and so as Bill
headed back, Michael was still standing at the top of Green Law looking
perplexedly
at the map. He set off just before I hit the summit but took Broomy
Side on the roomy side and headed off too far left and far too soon.
Bill
was out of sight but I used my usual ploy
which was to head across the heather to
where I wanted a path to be and then followed
it diagonally and directly down to the
col. Only the steep climb up to Hammer
Head was left but I began to be passed.
As with the previous handicap, those following
behind were following me on my "sensible shortcuts".
Hillrunning has never been simply about
being fastest but it's not fair when the
faster folk follow my optimum line and
pass me by. Aye well.
So,
a canter down to the finish and at the last I hear a footfall behind
me and suddenly it’s a sprint to the line to stay
ahead of Mateo, which I later found out the handicapper ignored and
gave us a tie until Gordon and I had a word.
Eventually we waited for
an injured Willie G to come in (accompanied by Cody). Willie was
running despite having a couple of
broken /cracked ribs and came in to a hero's welcome. All done, or
done in, we headed down to the excellent and recommended Laurel Bank
bar and restaurant, where, as usual, the good craik and company rounded
off the night.
Thanks to organiser Cameron Scott and handicapper Phil,
even though he managed to win the race himself.
Nick Macdonald
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