Photo Report
Pentland Skyline, 2006
A photographic record of how the race progressed (photos from G. Cameron, I and A Nimmo, K Burns and C Ramsay)
Allermuir |
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) Runners gather at the ski slope 5 minutes before the start |
) Alasdair Anthony leads a group up Caerketton |
) Single file on the way up Caerketton |
) Olly Stephenson with Arthur's Seat and Edinburgh in the background |
) Shane Bouchier of Carnethy |
) Allermuir ascent |
) John Kay of Fife |
) Willie Gibson (+mobile camera unit) is no. 1! |
) Elaine Stewart (Cosmics) and Peter Jagan (Bingley) |
) Bob Hughes (Ochils) |
) Are you following us? |
) The skyline stretches away in the distance |
Turnhouse |
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) Phil Mestechy and Will Manners (Strathearn H) ran together - the whole way |
) Steve Fallon was 2nd Carnethy |
) Andy Kitchin and James Britton |
) Dan Gay (HBT), Alasdair Anthony (Ochils) and Nigel Scott (Westies) sticking together |
) Chris Upson (Westies) |
) Jill Mykura (Carnethy) leading Bruce Smith (Standard Life) winner of this year's Caerketton Downhill |
) If they had eyes in the back of their heads they'd see all the way to North Berwick |
) Scottish Internationalist, Claire Gordon (HBT) was leading the ladies race. Dave Spedding (Keswick) behind will finish 1st M60 and 12th overall |
) Jim Norwood (Corstorphine) and John Kay (Fife) |
) William Whitington and Martin Hulme (Corstorphine) |
) Sandy Bennet (Carnegie) and Damien Theaker (Helensburgh) |
) A trio containing Nat Taylor (9) |
) Willie Mykura (Carnethy) settles into the middle of a line climbing Turnhouse |
) Colin Valentine (Keswick) |
) Will Hynd of Moorfoots with Bell's Hill and Harbour Hill in the background (still to come!) |
) Alan Hogg (Carnethy) being tailed by Chris Downie (Lothian & Borders Police) |
) Ken Daniels and Nicola May of Carnegie |
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West
Kip and the Drove Road - halfway |
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) It was evident - all the way from South Black Hill - that Joe Symonds was being caught by Jim Davies |
) Andrew Schofield was close behind Joe and Jim |
) Simon in 4th place on West Kip |
) David Spedding and Will Hynd |
) Chris Upson - the new editor of the SHR calendar |
) Olly Stephenson looks to be going well here but will retire before the end |
) Kenny Richmond of Bellahouston RR reaching the top of West Kip |
) Des Crowe saw the camera and quickly donned shades! |
) Nigel Scott |
) Claire Gordon had a commanding lead in the ladies race by the time she got here |
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) Jacqui Higgingbottom and Joan Wilson helped make up a Carnethy ladies team. Fabienne Thompson running with them |
) Henry Bailey (4 PARA) and Marcel Van Oijen leave West Kip behind and head for the return over the northern tops |
) Colin Eades (Lothian) |
) Jill strides out at the bottom of West Kip but claims she's been eating too many pies! |
) The drizzle starts |
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) Colin Wilson crossing the bridge on the Drove Road |
) William Whitington and Tosh Brannan run on from the halfway checkpoint |
) A brief sunny spell. Allermuir (in the distance) some way off still... |
) The loneliness of the long-distance runner |
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Harbour
Hill |
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) Mark was wondering how Jacqui was doing |
) Will Hynd of Moorfoots. Glencorse Reservoir in the background |
) Tosh Brannan takes a drink on the run |
) Andy Kitchin set the current Skyline record 12 years ago |
) John Blair-Fish chasing Gillian Godfree chasing Jill Mykura. Gillian will pass Jill as soon as the next hill starts. John never quite catches the girls. |
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The
finish |
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) Jim Davies - winning |
) Andrew Schofield finishing 2nd. |
) Alasdair Anthony finished 4th just seconds behind Joe Symonds. |
) The winning HBT team |
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From a runner's
perspective Willie Gibson |
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) Climbing Caerketton |
It had been a hard night on Saturday. Race preparation had consisted
of a large Thai meal with copious beer, wine and a rather large amount
of Lagavulin
to cap it all off. |
) Allermuir |
) Willie Mykura catching me as we neared the Kips |
It was a clear day and I was feeling better than I had last year. I didn't
have the usual Manor Water race in my legs (Manor is next Saturday this
year). My memories of being 6th from last at Castlelaw were put behind
me as I passed Roger Kemp and was informed I was 89th. The water in Flotterstone Glen was welcome and as I climbed Turnhouse I had my first Mars bar. The Kips were looking distant as I oscillated with Charlie Love and Willie Mykura on climbs and descents. My knackered knees slowing me down on the descents whereas my 'Dolomited' legs were powering me uphill. |
) Charlie climbing Black Hill |
) Willie Mykura running off Black Hill |
As I passed Hare Hill Charlie disappeared into the East, I could still
just see him on the way up Black Hill as I caught up on Willie Mykura again.
We two Willies headed down Black Hill together and as I climbed Bell's
Hill I was pulling away. It is a bit of a slog up to Nick's (the marshal's)
Hill but at least
I could see the hills of home before me from the summit. I somehow managed to run most of the hills on the way back, and made up a few more places but never managed to catch Charlie. Maybe next year, after all he has at least 15 more years of hill runing experience then me! Thanks to all the marshals for their support and/or cuddles on the way round. |
) Nick at Home on Bell's Hill |