- 28th March 2007
Club Video Night
Willie Mykura served up an exceptional evening of video delights. Some did the KB handicap course beforehand, WG drumming the pace, to meet up with the multitude at the union. Just a few steps away we took our chairs to be enchanted by the footage. The programme started with the 2006 Ben Race, Carnethy colours in every corner, the magnificent M70 Bill O’ the Bens was interviewed in prime time (his shirt bearing a retro design from the inceptions of the club) and raised a cheer. Murdo stood by the trials and tribulations of the Mont Blanc classic, a 100 mile non-stop epic, finishing in excellent time (Ecosse No. 1?), and he says he’s going to do it next year too. The scenery and coverage were superb, Murdo’s hard-won Finisher jacket was solicited: “imagine wearing that in Chamonix the day after” – could we borrow it? We only glimpsed the hardships he’d been through. Youthful hill runners take note - this incredible event was won by 58 year old Marco Olmo from Italy in a record time of 21 hours and 6 minutes. Then Olly bared the secrets of the muddy cold race called Tough Guy, aka lots of mud and cold, especially if you’re wearing only a thong, which of course Olly shuddering with hypothermia wasn’t (do we have any proof). A great finishing time too - and not to be underestimated - first position lady and lad spots in previous years have been held by Carnethies. Olly he says he’s going to do it next year – though Willie M opined that the video was sufficient reason NOT even to consider going down. Either a dry suit or Channel-Swimmer thickly smeared lard. At popular demand the evening finished off with a repeat showing of the disastrous 130 kph descent of the Cerro Negro volcano by the amazing Eric Barone. Should Nick have ideas of competing at the Caerketton Descent on his mountain bike (see photo four) he must be sternly dissuaded. A great evening, thanks Willie!
Full-size photos on the club archives (News/OlderNews); to see Eric Barone do it again click here. He survived !!!
- 24th March 2007
Trossachs Duathlon in memory of Janice Mudge
Angela Mudge laid on a perfect day and a fantastic event for this first Trossachs Duathlon (race details here) in memory of her sister Janice, who died of cancer last August. Janice climbed Ben Venue almost weekly so it was fitting to have a race up it. 130 people started, comprising 100 individuals and 30 teams (i.e. the runners handed over to a team-mate to do the cycling part). Jim Davis led at the end of the tough Ben Venue run (in 1hr 49secs) from Al Anthony, Morgan Donnelly and Andrew "Scoffer" Schofield (who was in a team, with Phil Davis doing the cycling). The individual prize looked like being beween Jim, Al and Morgan, but Ian Wellock had a stormer of a cycle - the second fastest of the solos (in 68:03) to pull through to 3rd, while Al had a disaster and dropped off the pace. Jim Davis, despite a large amount of faffing at the transitions including having to use his teeth to undo knots in his shoelaces (perhaps that is a normal Borrowdale FR ritual ? ), kept in the lead all the way to win by over one and a half minutes from Morgan Donnelly in 2hrs 34:07. Having the run and cycle of his life was new Carnethy member Bruce Smith who pulled through to 4th and was first Carnethy from the large turnout from the club. Bruce's main claim to fame previously being, of course, that he holds the Caerketton Downhill record in 5min 23secs - not quite the same event ! Carnethy got the first female prize with Karen Powell making a rare appearance and proving as competitive as ever, finishing in 3hrs 11:25.
The two leading teams were actually first across the line. Scoffer and Phil, finishing in an excellent 2:21:28 while 10 mins later a very fit Malcolm Patterson finished in 2:31:56, partnering Norman Gillan who had stormed round on the bike in 63:55. But the fastest on the bike was Prasad Prasad in an amazing 54:49, who finished 3rd team with Brian Bullen !
Thanks to Angela for organising such a great event, that raised almost £3000 for Cancer Research UK !
Loads of photos Here
Individual Results here; Individual Results with Splits here
Team Results here; Team Results with Splits here
Andy Spenceley
- 23rd March 2007
New Look for Scottish Hill Runners Website
The Scottish Hill Runners website has been redesigned, including a brand new forum. Have a look at the site here
- 22nd March 2007
Tee and fro - Wednesday 21st March
Cut to a sprint in total darkness – an unusual experience. A Wednesday band of clandestine Carnethies, disguised as hill runners, with W “Tiger” Gibson calling the shots, did an excellent 18-hole on a course that shall remain nameless. Up and down, serious interval training as Simon remarked. Joanne took the handicap thing to heart, sprinting off in the wrong direction at times, the other Michael polished his head-forward somersault technique. Moi challenged the lads while Cali got lost somewhere in the dark gorse. Legs blitzed, we headed home happily where Bob was already pulling the pints.
- 21st March 2007
Edale Skyline, Peak District - Sunday 18th March
This 21 mile, 4500ft climb, classic was an English Championship this year. One Carnethy runner went down to it, Jon Ascroft who finished 44th in 3:24:27 in foul conditions. If you thought the weather at Criffel was bad, just think what running through the Peak District peat for hours was like ! Think Jon will have some stories to tell. Results here
- 19th March 2007
Jill Mykura wins at Criffel - Sunday 18th March
The terrible weather on Sunday caused the Criffel hill race to be shortened but still left Jill enough time to win. A report and results are here
- 19th March 2007
The North Third Run - Sunday 18th March
Where was everybody? Only three runners, Richard Lathe, John Littlewood and myself, took part in The North Third run - an enjoyable Sunday morning trip just outside Stirling. In spite of Richard's misgivings about the weather forecast, most of the run was done in sunshine. There was the small matter of a blizzard that delayed our departure from the car but it lasted just long enough to remind us that this was a Nigel run.
The run started through forest then over the spectacular Sauchie Crags above the North Third Reservoir, with a stauch wind making each stride a matter of faith. A long downhill run through more forest brought us down to the edge of the Bannock Burn. We then had a delightful run along the river bank to what looked like the entrance to a dragon's lair. Fortunately it was not occupied so we continued on an old road around the foot of the hill and up to the dam of the reservoir. Newly split trees attested the ferocity of last night's storms. A little more of the white stuff dissuaded us from staying too long to admire the view so we carried on back over the crags to the shelter of the car.
Nigel Rose
- 18th March 2007
What A Bute - the West Island Way - Saturday 17th March
We ended up with 10 Carnethies on the Isle of Bute to run theWestWet Island Way. Maggie Creber came across for the day, while the rest travelled on the Friday evening. After an interesting evening in a "Nice Quiet Pub", according to Cali and Bob, which started with an arguing couple being thrown out; had Kate and Willie karaoke-ing to Zombie in the middle and ended with half of Rothesay dancing the night away, we all headed off for the start of the 30 mile West Island Way route (advertised as the only long distance footpath on a Scottish Island) on a promisingly dry Saturday morning.
By the end of the day we had done 25 miles of the 30 mile route and had run from the bottom to the top of Bute in a roundabout way on generally very muddy paths crossing beaches, golf courses (muddy), moorland (muddy), forests (muddy) & fields (muddy). The last 5 miles were back down the main road towards Rothesay from the northern point, so decided to miss them, as they weren't muddy, and take the bus back. This decision helped by all being extremely wet and cold by the time we'd reached the end of the run, but happy and looking forward to lots of cups of tea, or pints of beer, depending on our persuasion. The West Island Way footpath makes a superb and beautiful run (or would have on a dry day) and the views of the Clyde, Cowal penisular and Arran would have been superb if the weather had been better. Definitely worth a repeat (on a hot summers day !)
- 18th March 2007
Stewart Whitlie wins Chapelgill - Saturday 17th March
This year I managed to hold the car door open long enough to get out and struggle (at the last possible minute) up to the summit marshal's position. The gale force wind and driving rain meant I never took the camera out - so there are no pictures of hooded runners coming out of / disappearing into the cloud. It was good to see Stewart Whitlie first to the summit and, even better, Margaret Forrest at the back with Bruce Smith, Dougie Shiell, John Blair-Fish, Cameron Scott and Brian Howie as the ' Carnethy filling'. Nobody hung around for long and the start field was almost deserted on my return, but the Ochil's clubhouse (Dave Duncan's campervan) opened its doors and supplied tea and Easter eggs before it set off south, to Criffel !
Stewart Whitlie won with Alan Smith (Deeside) 2nd and John Stevenson (Ochils) 3rd. Sarah Legge (Fife) won the ladies with under 18 Laura McCord (Whitemoss) 2nd. Juniors are allowed to run some 'short' open races and notably there were two under 18s in the first six, Ross Hastings (Nithsdale) and Robert Inglis (Lothian). A race report by Bruce Smith is on the Scottish Hill Racing forum here. Read how Bruce showed the individuality the club is famous for in his first race in a Carnethy vest - he'll fit in well !
Results
AN
- 16th March 2007
Wuthering Hike Report
In retrospect an enjoyable race, but at the time the last few miles were a struggle with the wheels having gone a bit wobbly on descent to Hebden Bridge and having come off completely after Heptonstall. However, that was no reason not to hang onto the group I was in who seemed to be in the same situation.
The day started overcast with a threat of rain, but was not too cold and cleared to a warm spring day towards noon. Finish time was 4:51, surprisingly only 2 minutes behind finish in 2005 when I was a good bit fitter (think that works out at around 4 seconds a mile slower). Position then was 18th, but was reduced to 38th this year due the race being part of the Montrail ultra championship series (230 runners this year as opposed to 160 in '05). Winning time was an amazing 3:43 by Adam Breaks of CVFR, 29 minutes ahead of second place!
Bumped into Helene Whitaker partnered with Cath Worth (4:53, 43rd) who when finished looked like they'd just been out for stroll with the dog compared to other finishers. Another Carnethy was Colin Hutt (4:41, 25th) who I¹ve never met before so didn¹t recognise to say hello and ex Carnethy Gavin Stewart (5:49, 129th) who was in good form as ever and looking svelte clad in black and luminous green lycra.
Yes, a good day out in Bronte country indeed and rounded off appropriately with tea and cake.
Russell Stout
- 15th March 2007
Swanston and Hillend
The Wednesday runs take Carnethies on creative routes, most recently to Swanston and Hillend. Led by Willie G and Gordon, we headed up to this gem of traditional village. A conservation zone, green belt, heritage site. We discover a monstrous new building under construction. The sign on the gate tells all. Sighing deeply, we headed back via the Caerketton Descent – a headtorch there gave a certain advantage as the torchless slipped and slithered downwards in pitch darkness. Over Mortonhall we braved the floodlights of the driving range to find the path back to KB where Shane, Michael, Willie Mykura and others were awaiting, and Olly turned up too for a presentation of C5 whisky.
- 15th March 2007
39th Engadin XC Ski Marathon (11th March 2007, St Moritz)
This year’s Engadine Ski Marathon very nearly didn’t happen – the course runs the length of 2 lakes for the first 10km, and the second lake remained only partially frozen. A last-minute cold snap ensured the race went ahead without any diversions to the usual route and 10,000 of us lined up on a crisp blue-sky day in almost perfect conditions. Having completed it, classic style, last year in cold and windy conditions in 5hrs 50mins whilst watching the skaters fly past me effortlessly, I vowed I would learn to do it the easy way this year. A skating course in the Dolomites and practice in Colorado followed; my target was to complete it in less than 4 hours. Mind you, putting this in perspective, the Olympians at the front of the race are finishing in 1hr 45 mins (men) and 1 hr 50 mins (women). After the 2 lakes, the route goes through St Moritz where lines of eager spectators cheer the traditional Swiss ‘Heya!’ and offer bananas, home baking, soup and anything else they think you need. All are gratefully accepted. Spectators also gather at notorious ‘mattress alley’ just before Pontresina where trees are wrapped in old mattresses to protect both trees and skiers from each other. Steep and icy, this is the crux – once you’ve negotiated this section, it’s moreorless plain sailing for the remaining 22km home to S-Chanf. Checking my watch, I realised I’d have to pick up the pace if I was to beat my target time. Racing instincts kicked in and I started passing people along the wide flat section from Samedan and I really started to enjoy myself. And then it was the Finish and I’d done it – 3hrs 52 mins, still smiling - and I can’t wait for next year to do it all over again. Photos, course info and results at www.engadin-skimarathon.ch.
Helen Murray
- 13th March 2007
Late Breaking News
Club commisserations to Curly Mills, just returned home from languishing in a hospital in Grenoble after a sowboarding accident in the French Alps. Curly has broken his clavicle in three places (ouch) and acquired ten pins to put him back together again but hopes to have recovered in time to skipper Scrabble in the Scottish Islands Peaks race. Not one to mess about, well except on snow fields, Curly has already delegated all winching duties to his hapless crew.
We wish him a speedy recovery
- 12th March 2007
Wolf Craigs Run, Sunday 11th March
The weather forecast wasn't much better than the last time we tried to do this run. Seven Carnethy runners met at Baddinsgill under leaden skies and clag-covered tops. The run started well up Mount Maw and along the grassy ridge to The Mount. In the distance it was odd to see the familiar Kips from a very different direction. As we crossed the head of Deer Hope, an arctic hare in winter white shot out of the heather in front of us. We saw several more during the day. Richard was ready for his lunch long before anyone else so we stopped for refreshment in the shelter on East Cairn Hill. Cold wind whistled through the gaps in the wall so we didn't stay long. We continued over West Cairn Hill. Alan knew this part best so he led us over featureless heather moorland to the dramatic valley of Wolf Craigs. It was very sheltered here so we stopped to refuel again.
After lunch, Moira, Karen and Ben took a short way back. The rest of us carried on to Craigengar and tried to decipher the writing carved on the summit rocks. We continued down to the dam of the Medwin Water then a stint of dead-reckoning navigation brought us to the Covenanter's Grave. It was a poignant stone in the middle of nowhere in particular, a sad relic of the Battle of Rullion Green (on the flank of Turnhouse), where in 1666 an injured Covenanter died at the house of a local shepherd to be buried at a site in view of his homeplace Ayrshire hills. After that, we had a good track to take us to the dam of West Water Reservoir. To save our weary legs we tried contouring round King Seat, when it would have been much quicker to go straight over the top. By now we were half a mile from the cars, weary and knackered. We had one final obstacle of a double fence and high stone wall to cross. We just managed to do it without falling off it or knocking the wall down. As we scrambled out of the deep valley on the other side, pulling ourselves up by a wire fence, Arthur claimed that it was a via ferrata. The heavy rain which had threatened all day started just as we got back to the cars - perfect timing! 20 miles or so, but with tussock hopping and a whipping wind stinging our weather-beaten faces, it felt like 40.
NR and RL
- 12th March 2007
Wuthering Hike - Saturday 10th March
No report yet but our spies tell us that several Carnethy members completed the 31mile and 5000ft Wuthering Hike trail race, running from Haworth over the Bronte Way, Penine Way and up and down into the old Yorkshire mill towns of Hebden Bridge, Todmorden. Colin Hutt finished in an excellent 4:41; Russell Stout in 4:51 and Helene Whitaker (nee Diamantides) ran as a pair with Carol Worth in 4:53. Results are here
- 8th March 2007
East & West (S)Kip(ped)
The main advantage of doing the write-up of a run is that you can always blame someone else, so of course it was all Willie Gibson’s fault. So that Willie could run to the start, the rest of us who’d turned up for the last night run of the season didn’t run and waited for a weary Willie to arrive half an hour late whilst I continually re-scoped the planned run route and tried to decipher Willie’s last mobile phone message: “I’m at the Ranger’s station at Threipmuir”… This was odd, because there is no Ranger’s station there! (He was at Harlaw and so even further away than we, and he, thought).
Anyway with Willie having arrived and some hurried telephone ordering of our food for later at the Johnsburn Hotel, we set off up by Bavelaw and down through Green Cleugh. The plan was to run down the Cleugh and then swing uphill, climbing to the top of East Kip dropping down to the col then up West Kip then down and round the drove road back to the start.
Still sulking after the recent total lunar eclipse, the Moon decided not to show up and we ran in increasingly darkening conditions, gazing upwards occasionally at the array of stars overhead. Climbing up the notorious slope—where at least one leg was broken in this year’s Carnethy 5 Race—the plan was re-scoped again to miss out East Kip and follows the race route in reverse to the summit of West Kip. Perhaps I should have communicated this better as when we stopped to regroup at the top of the slope we’d lost Alan and Jonathan who had continued towards East Kip.
By the time we’d rounded up the Hoggs, ha, ha, it was now looking doubtful if we’d make West Kip either, given that we had to get to the Johnsburn between 8:30 and 8:45. So straight(ish) for the Drove Road along a path on which, surprisingly, it seemed none of the others had run before. A short cut across the bog, a regroup on the Drove Road then down to Bavelaw watching the bright lights of mountain bikers heading for the same point. A carpet of lights spread below us—Edinburgh at night—making the hillside seem darker as we headed down and out to the cars.
With no time to change we headed straight for the pub where Cali and Bob already had the beers in and an excellent meal and the usual banter rounded off the evening and the last night run of the season.
Nick Macdonald
- 7th March 2007
Bishop Hill Race, Scotlandwell, Sunday 4th March
The heavy cold rain that hit towards the end of the Glentress Duathlon was full on for the Bishop Hill Race. While one of our new signings, Bruce Smith, was testing himself at Glentress, another, Derek Paton decided to fight the wind and rain at Bishop Hill. Derek has written an excellent account of his run on the Scottish Hill Racing Forum here, including problems of wearing a new vest (and it must have been bright as he was down as Carnegie in the results - we're still not fluorescent enough for that ! ). Kate Jenkins ran the race a couple of hours after doing the Lasswade 10 mile road race ! Results of Bishop Hill here
Photo of Derek Paton (not in Carnegie vest ! ) courtesy of SHR Web Site
- 6th March 2007
High Peak Marathon, March 2nd-3rd 2007
Four friends departed from Edale Community Hall at 11.04pm on Friday 2nd March for the High Peak Marathon, a 40+ mile circumnavigation of the wildest (read boggiest) parts of the Peak District, around the Derwent watershed. By day this must be pretty spectacular scenery, but all I could see by my fading LED headtorch was my feet, and Mick James’ bum.
We worked well together as a team, employing sack-carrying and bungee cord tactics, the words ‘classic’ and ‘hypothermia weather’ sprang to mind briefly as the conditions stabilised at 2 degrees, with persistent rain and sleet.
We followed Steve Watkin’s race plan religiously, ‘to sleep before the race is tantamount to cheating’, my mental state took a distinct dip around 4-6am as we crossed the pathless peat hags of Bleaklow; the endless white algae that covered everything, and after several minutes called out to Mick ‘hey, what is this stuff?’… silence… then an incredulous ‘IT’S SNOW YOU BLOODY IDIOT!’. Steve and Martyn Goodwin performed superhuman levels of navigation, using tussocks, cloud formations and worm holes to pinpoint each check-point. Like having two GPS units with us. Martyn deserves additional credit as he was evidently hurting for the latter stages and never complained.
For the last 20 minutes the sun popped out, we managed a sprint finish to overtake some Adventure Racers. Phenomenal organisation from the Sheffield University Students High Peak Club, which included cheery marshals in the wildest places and at the unholiest hours.
Our team came 13th verall, 4th Vets, out of c.50 teams (of which 36 completed) in 11 hours 48 minutes. Team ‘Buckley Boys’ comprised Olly Stephenson and Mick James (Carnethy), Steve Watkins (Airenteers) and Martyn Goodwin (Dark Peak).
Details and results here
Olly
- 5th March 2007
The Decider : Glentress Duathlon No. 3 - Sunday 4th March
There was a very large Carnethy turnout for the last of the Glentress Duathlon in this winter's series - the large turnout presumably because it was the long one and so the toughest one ! Andrew Patience had a great cycle to be first Carnethy at the changeover with Andy Spenceley and Garry MacInnes not far behind after some neck to neck racing and each taking advantage of the other slipping a chain (Andy on lap 1 and Garry on lap 2). However, Andy Spenceley pulled through on the run, which climbed to the tower on top of Dunslair Heights and back, to finish 1st Over 40 and 2nd individual overall (just 8 seconds behind the winner, Hugh McInnes of the Bicycle Works, after one and a half hours of racing! ), his best result of the series. Jill Mykura was easily first woman and Bob Waterhouse another prize winner, being second Over 50. Chris Davies made up a team, partnering Ali Powell, and the baby was literally handed over at the changeover ! Another Carnethy team was made up of Emily Seaman and Eli Scott.
In the 3 race series, Carnethy dominated many of the prize categories, with Jill Mykura first woman; Andy Spenceley first Over 40; Bob Waterhouse first Over 50; Kate Friend first Female Over 40 & Adam Anderson 3rd Senior Man. Amazingly the first 5 Male Over 40s were all from the club ... Andy Spenceley, Garry Macinnes, Andrew Patience, new signing Bruce Smith and Willie Mykura !
Results of the long race are here and the prize winners of the 3 race series are here
- 4th March 2007
Lasswade 10 Mile Road Race
Last year Carnethy somewhat surpisingly won both the Men's and Ladies team awards at this tough 10 mile race, but this year not many from the club ran in the massive field of 390 finishers; the attractions of the Bishop Hill race and the Glentress Duathlon obviously out-weighing the 10 mile slog road the roads ! However, there were a few Carnethy and the best result from someone running for Carnethy was by Hilary Spenceley, who was 2nd Over 40 and 11th woman (115th overall), in an excellent time for the hilly course of 71:42. Steve Hibbert finished in 81:02 and Dawn Wilson in 87:40. Some members running for their other clubs had great runs. Lars Ottermoller was a fantastic 2nd in 55:56, Lucy Colquhorn was 2nd lady in 63:29 and Kate Jenkins was 3rd lady in 65:43. Interestingly, if Kate and Lucy had been running for Carnethy we would have easily retained the team title !
Results
- 28th February 2007
Carnethy Cover Girls !!
Fame for two Carnethy girls who have made the cover page of the SHR Calendar !! Hilary Holding (left) and Karen Meikle (right) are seen at an early stage of the Two Breweries race (when they were still smiling !). Would it have been a better example to have shown the mud and sweat covered figures they presented when they crossed the finish line several hours later !? (Actually, Hilary looked just as fresh coming off Trahenna - viz. Breweries photo report)
The SHR Calendar lists all the hill races in Scotland (including Highland Games etc). As well as the Calendar, the SHR Journal is out, with a review of 2006.
To get the calendar you need to renew your sub or join the SHR. To do this please submit SHR Membership Renewal Form or go to the SHR Web Site for more details.
- 25th February 2007
Drum Estate Run - Wednesday 21st February
Seven showed for the Wednesday night run. Willie G set a cracking pace on this classic route but with some new twists and turns via Inch Park, over Craigmillar, Edmonstone, the Drum estate, Gilmerton and Ellen’s Glen, and we pelted round the very dark 7 miles in record time on a surprisingly mild evening to meet up with late-comers in the KB bar.
- 18th February 2007
Borders Winter Cross-Country Series- Final Race Norham, Sunday 18th February
A lovely day for running - the sun was rolling up the frost on the fields as we headed south to Norham, for the last of the seven Borders Winter Cross-Country races. The date was perhaps less propitious, for the previous afternoon's Carnethy 5 had clearly dampened the spring in several pairs of legs.
Someone had told us that the Norham course was his favourite, and we could see why. Its heart is the glen between West and East Newbiggin, and we crossed the burn in it six times: twice via the old railway viaduct and the rest by simple dash-n-splash. There were some muddy bits and a few short hilly ones, but thankfully the fields leading to the glen hadn't been ploughed.
Brian Marshall (HELP) and Damon Rodwell (Gala/Westies) both finished in the top twenty in the Carnethy 5 but still managed to come in first and first loser here. Kate Jenkins won the series trophy for the first Senoir Woman, and Anne Nimmo followed suit in the F50s. Mike Browne chipped in with second prize overall in the M60s as did Bill Gauld in the M65s (there being no M70 category). The rest of us who'd managed to plod round at least four of the seven courses were rewarded with (cart) horse brasses - definitely items to cherish (like the SHR's Championship mugs).
The series has been fun, well-organised, and taken us to parts of the Borders we wouldn't otherwise have visited. All the results are here: http://www.norhamrc.co.uk/
IAN
- 17th February 2007
Records set at the 37th Carnethy 5 and 9th Scald Law Races !
With a record field at the Carnethy 5 race and race records at the junior Scald Law race, it was a great day of hill racing with the sun out showing the Pentlands at their best.
The Scald Law race started first and as Mark Johnston reports :
"Jamie Stevenson of Ochil Hill Runners made good use of the fine conditions at the Scald Law Junior race to set a new under 16 course record and win the race outright from Joss Addison of Helm Hill. Joss led Jamie for most of the race only to be overhauled on the lower half of the descent. Only Scott Fraser (Lothian), Kyle Greig (Forres), Tom Addison (Helm Hill) and Andrew Lemoncello (Fife) have posted faster times over the course, an impressive list of footsteps in which to follow. There were further battles behind the leading pair with Stewart Fraser (City of Edinburgh) holding of Andrew Tullie (Teviotdale) for 3rd overall and 1st under 18, and Tom Doyle (Helm Hill) getting the better of fellow under 14 and clubmate Rory Addison, to set a new under 14 record (previously held by Scott Fraser). Megan Gray of Law & District produced a solid performance in her first hill race to finish first and only girl in 33.36." Scald Law Results
Five mins after the Scald Law race started, nearly 500 runners were sent on their way (after a false start ! ) for the 37th Carnethy 5 Hill Race.
Global warming can probably be blamed for the glorious spring like conditions for the race, but was it only last year we were all complaining of the cold, ice and wind ! British Champion, Rob Jebb of Bingley, stormed round in 47:59 to win by half a minute from Shettleston's Jethro Lennox. Jethro made a determined attempt to hang onto Rob and was still there at the Howe, but a strong climb up Carnethy by Rob was enough to pull away for his third win. Youngster, Scott Fraser of Edinburgh University (and holder of the Scald Law record) had a magnificant run in 3rd place. For the ladies, Angela Mudge won for the 10th time in 56:09, comfortably in front of British Champion Natalie White, of Bingley, with Jill Mykura getting 3rd spot. There is a new name on the team claymore, as Hunters Bog Trotters turned out in force to take the trophy with hosts, Carnethy, coming second. The ladies ended up a draw between Bingley and Carnethy on 12 points each ! The only records broken this year were in the size of the race as there was a massive 484 finishers (24 more than the previous largest field in 2003) and 103 of these were women - also a new record ! Special mention to the new members of the 21 Race Club, who were awarded their quaich: Tom Ross of Fife and Rod Dalitz of Carnethy (plus Brian Howie, who should have had one last year). Great to see so many runners from England and Northern Ireland (including 10 finishers from Larne AC ) travelling to the race - must be either the scenic bus tour or the school dinner that brings them ! Apart from Carnethy who as expected had the most runners (61 finishers), there were large turnouts from Fife AC, who had 31, and Lochaber, an amazing 30 finishers.
Photo report
Carnethy 5 Race Results
Marshals' Slideshow
Video clip of start (large file 9.5MB)
The Genuine C5 T-Shirt is Here
- 15th February 2007
Mudge heads for Italy
Due to her success in the National X-C champs, Angela has been named in the Scottish team for the prestigious Cinque Mulini Cross Country in Italy on March 3rd. This is one of the oldest cross-country races in the world and has always attracted the world's best runners. Runners who have completed include Kip Keino, Steve Ovett, Paul Tergat and Haile Gebreslassie !
- 10th February 2007
It's official - An upset at Falkirk
Carnethy win the National Cross-Country Championship !!
Carnethy won the National Ladies Cross-Country Champions after superb performances at Callendar Park, Falkirk, on Saturday. Despite not training for cross-country this winter, Angela Mudge had a brilliant run to take the bronze medal in 3rd place. Lyn Wilson was next home for the club in 5th place (after suffering from a cold the week before), and the all important 3rd counter, Jill Mykura, had a great run to finish 13th and snatch the championship from City of Glasgow AC ! This is how The Scotsman described the fantastic result: "There was an upset in the team classification when Carnethy Hill Racing club, led by Angela Mudge, ran out winners ahead of City of Glasgow. The individual medal winning performance of 36 year old Mudge, the Skyrunner World Series champion, and Morrison, the world duathlon champion, also provided a couple of pokes in the eye for the athletics hegemony" ! Full results here
Photos taken by Willie Lyall
- 7th February 2007
Carnethy Night Run
Ten hardies met up at Flotterstone early on a dark and subzero evening for the annual recce of the Carnethy 5 route, which of course it isn’t, only sharing a couple of hundred yards with the run route, but that’s tradition for you. While the lads waited for late arrivals, the ladies headed off a few minutes early but missed the first turning across the burn, setting a new club record for getting lost in the shortest time (less than 5 minutes after departure), possibly a new European record too. Heading up Turnhouse the frozen ground was like icy concrete, we passed some bemused equine species – were they ponies or donkeys? – we couldn’t tell because the purists had imposed a no-torch rule for the ascent. Not a breath of wind at the top but the first spicules of snow were starting to fall. After dropping down to the gate and racing up Carnethy we did the statutory two hundred yards of the C5 course from the summit to the promontory overlooking Grain Burn, and literally tumbled down the frozen screes to regroup and follow the contours back as the snow intensified. Headtorches by this time were de rigeur, but the light reflected from the swirling flakes made vision (and running) tricky. By the time we arrived at the Flotterstone Inn for some sustenance the world had turned into a winter wonderland.
- 3rd February 2007
Strathclyde Country Park 10K, Saturday 3rd Feb 2007
Photo compliments of Chris's Blog (results also here)
A nice little route, mostly flat. Started by the water sports centre and then followed the loch north westwards until the turnaround point on the other side of the loch. 186 Finished. I finished in position 30 with a time of 39:29.
Shane
- 29th January 2007
Glentress Duathlon - The Short Race, Sunday 28th January 2007
For a change the run was first and also the weather was mild (almost a first !) .Loads of Carnethies turned out for this short Duathlon and many had run the Devil's Burdens Relay the day before. Garry MacInnes showed the Burdens was the ideal warm-up with a great result to finish 4th individual and 1st Over 40, ahead of Andy Spenceley 8th (and second Over 40). Jill Mykura had loads of competition in the Ladies but just did enough to hold off Hazel Sutherland and Elke Schmidt. Russell Stout showed some style by turning up on his old street bike, but the real cool guy was the winner (yet again! ) Prasad Prasad, who discovered at changeover that he had left his cycle shoes locked in his car, went and got them out losing about 2 minutes, and then still powered though to win (and he claims he's not been training ! ).
Results are here. Details of the next race (4th March) are here.
- 29th January 2007
Tough Guy - Sunday 28th January 2007
The TG is an annual event held each winter on a farm in the Midlands, combining a 5 mile cross-country run with an assault course that includes swims, 40feet high netting climbs, electric tape, runs through burning straw and several tunnels (to name just a few of the 25 obstacles).
This was my first experience, and the run went fine (it is a course that gives hill runners a natural advantage), the first 40feet climbing frame was great except for a crowd-pleasing zap from the electric tape “ ouch - but each dunking thereafter saw my energy levels plummet exponentially.
Towards the end I was in a real mess, I couldn;t think straight, I was lacking co-ordination / balance and crossed the finish line with full-blown hypothermia.
The finish marshal grabbed me and said œtake this guy straight to first aid - but the official who took over misheard and just abandoned me. I was too messed up to speak and sat there dazed and unable to drink any tea because my hands were shaking too violently. Luckily some other finishers wrapped more silver blankets around me, and helped force some tea down before I went swaying off to strip out of my wet clothes.
It all turned out fine and I imagine my reaction is not that unusual, but then again a lot of folk seemed to finish and not even look cold, and three guys completed it in thongs!
My training included several lunchtime swims at Portobello Beach and Dunsappie Loch and this definitely helped, but it doesn't bode well for future races when you consider that this year was billed as ˜the warmest Tough Guy on record". I came 102nd out of c.5,000 entrants in 1:29:47, which only increases my respect for Geraint and Angela who have both won the event in previous years. It is a mega race, and totally worth the time, effort and expense. I'll be there in 2008 (in full dry suit). Olly Stephenson
http://www.toughguy.co.uk/
- 28th January 2007
Borders Winter XC - Doddington
The
sixth leg of the Borders Winter Cross-Country series took us back into
England, past Flodden
and up the hill at the back of Doddington to the nineteenth
hole of Wooler Golf Club, with fine views of the Cheviots etc., etc.
The sign on the main road pointed 'To Hill Run', which summed
the event up rather neatly - plenty of hill, not much fairway
and 'Run' rather than 'Race'. The 6.5km course was shaped like
a fallen-over capital B with the start at the bottom right
and
two climbs
up through he middle (and a quarry) to the high point. There
was a fantastic gentle downhill run of about a kilometre to
the finish.
Five Carnethies were in the field: one in an old yellow vest (Dougie Shiell), one in a new red vest (Peter Walker), one wearing Penicuik's colours (Mike Browne) and two unbadged (the Nimmos). They'll find out in due time how they got on here..
There's only one race left now, on the day after the Carnethy 5. Spring is coming - there were lambs in the fields below the Golf Club, the gorse in the rough was beginning to bloom, and the snow on the the Cheviots had all but gone.
IAN and AN
- 27th January 2007
Carnethy hat-trick in Devil's Burdens Relay !
On a lovely day for running,when Fife and the Lomond Hills were at their best, and from a massive field of over 100 teams, the Carnethy 'A' team managed to win by just two minutes after race long battles with Carnegie and Ochils, to give the club the third win in a row (and 5th win in 6 years) ! The Carnethy Vets team finished a fantastic 7th overall and 2nd Vets (just behind Fife), and the B team not far behind them. There was also (for the first time ?) a Carnethy Men's Over 50 team, who finished second Over 50s team being narrowly beaten by Dundee Hawkhill. We had two women's team. The A team finished 2nd behind Bellahouston (and 39th overall), which was a good recovery after Karen Meikle had an asthma attack early on leg 1 and bravely managed to get to the finish so the team could continue. The B team finishing an excellent 13th out of the 19 ladies team.
Thanks to Fife AC for organising a great event (and excellent soup !). Provisional results are here
- 26th January 2007
Burns Supper, 24th January
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A very successful Burns Supper was hosted by the Nimmo's. Starting with Willie Gibson addressing the haggis and Joanne Thin saying the Selkirk Grace (which lead to everyone being completed stuffed with haggis). All the time Eric Brown gave a masterly performance as MC keeping the action going asNick gave the Immortal Memory; Shane toasted the Lassies (but lucky to get out in one piece after slagging them all) and Anne replied. Followed by recitals from Ronnie, Gordon and Hilary (Tam o''Shanter); music on various instruments by Margaret Forrest, Paul Ritchie, Richard Lathe, Bill Gauld (which brought tears to Eric's eye as he'd never realised Bill could play the fiddle !) ...and perhaps others I've forgotten, but there was whisky as well.
- 21st March 2007
- 26th January 2007
Pentland Snow, 21-22 January
The Pentlands were buzzing last Sunday. The crusting of fine snow and patchy bright sunshine enticed some stalwarts to get their shoes on early. We followed the distinctive track of Walshes up the icy flank of Caerketton in a blustery wind, but nothing like recent blows. At Allermuir a posse of fast downhill runners kicking up the drifts turned out to be Lucy, Gill, and another expert who had been out since 8 am! Round Harbour Hill we crossed a runner unknown, back on Byreside we ran into John, who had spotted Moi and others heading up and out. From the tops the view was to the Ochils splendid in white finery. Shane did an impromptu Caerketton descent in record time (the toboggan technique). But the rain came as we reached the foot of the hill - early risers won the day. Later on, according to JBF who was up in the afternoon, snow continued to fall at altitude.
Monday the sky cleared and Nigel returned to the summits with his camera to catch the the stunning scene (see photos) but only narrowly survived an equally spectacular fall on the Kips.
- 22nd January 2007
They're girls !
Angela Mudge proudly annouces the arrival of two new Mudges last night to Arkle Mudge ! Arklet One weighted in at a mere 2 oz's (??), born on 21/1/07 at 11.15pm. Arklet Two was even lighter and showed her Mum's IQ (that's Arkle's not Angela's! ) by exiting the wrong way! Born at 12.10 on 22/1/0. So they don't even share a birthday.
- 18th January 2007
Strathpuffer
A few Carnethies took on the "Strathpuffer" at the weekend: billed as the toughest 24hour mountain bike endurance event in the UK - how hard could it be? Well, two of us knew already and that was in perfect weather conditions last year - but we didn't want to put Angela or Adam off.
With the Le Mans start (a short run to thin out the pack before taking to the bikes) the plan was that Adam, running in Walshes, would be way ahead of pack before the start of the bike..... by not finding his bike he sensibly went for a conservative opener to 24hrs of fun and ended up the first lap by uttering the now immortal rallying cry, "I'm not f**king doing that in the dark!"
Inspired, Andrew hit the trail and stupidly got carried away and went way into the red, ending his first loop in a blaze of slevers causing Garry to make his day by comparing him to Ole Einar Bjoerndalen (the great Norwegian biathlete)
We all each took turns to complete 3 single laps each of around an hour per loop then we each survived one dreaded, dead of night, double lap stint to give others some time to rest and eat. This left us just one single lap each to the end.
It was close with the second mixed team throughout the whole event but with them making a mistake on their SportIdent dibbing after a minor mechanical, it meant we didn't have to go out for a final lap to underline our winning time by doing an extra lap in the allotted 25 hrs (as teams can send out a rider 1 second before the end of the 24hrs as long as they make it back within the next hour). We ended up 6th overall with 24 laps to our credit. Best male quad squad racked up 31, winning pairs 25 and the solo winner a scary 16 loops (psycho!).
The weather didn't disappoint being wet and wild with some sleet high up on the course in the night and briefly a blizzard for about 10 minutes at 5am as Adam headed out for lap 2. The course was a bit more technical in places than last year but and much better for it although it still had a good long forest track climb to give Angela a break from taking her bike out for a run. There were new sections of hard packed singe-track and some great natural rocky sections and wooden bridges to be enjoyed and even a not so hidden bathing pool with dark brown mineral salts for those inclined (Garry was one of many to be self-baptised).
The mud absolutely trashed all competitors' brakes (no matter how expensive the gear) with some teams going through 3 full disc brake pad changes. The on-site bike shop did a heroic job all day/night of repairing all sorts of problems but lost out on a lot of cash when it ran out of brake pads (500 bikes @£15 a pair for pads, 3 full changes front and back....).
After clearing up for the last few hours, the heavens opened again for the prize-giving which seemed fitting. We happily received our wooden plate trophies and Garry very happily received his MTB holiday in the Sierra Nevada spot prize at the end!
Debbie Carr (Carnethy’s secret elite duathlete) showed the male members of her school quads team how it was done and even ended up with some intact brake pads proving the worth of “old school” cantilever technology!
We certainly spent the next few days disposing of large volumes of pure Highland mud from all our kit and have booked the bikes (and ourselves) in for some serious TLC before the next Glentress duathlon......and next year's Puffer.....Full results on Strathpuffer site and some more photos on NorthSport site (Strathpuffer pages: 10, 13, 22, 50, 69, 79, 91, 117 and 124.)
AJP
- 14th January
2007
Junior Senior Relay
It was a wild, windy day for the 26 or so hardy souls that turned out for this year's relay.
It was won by the James' Family, running on Mick's 40th Birthday.
Full Report
- 14th January 2007
Holyrood Park XC Races and Great Winter Run
Goodness knows what the Africans must have made of Holyrood Park in January, with its vicious wind and boggy ground. It didn't seem to deter them though, for they comfortably took the top spots in the men's 9.3 km and women's 6.7 km televised cross-country events. It was chilling to see the likes of Joe Symonds, Murray Strain and Alasdair Anthony battling to stave off being lapped by the peerless Kenenisa Bekele. Well done here to Jethro Lennox, the first Scot to finish.
Jill Mykura ran well in the women's race (won by Gelete Burka of Ethiopia), and counted for the East team that won the inter-District competition. (Not quite as impressive as it sounds, actually, for none of the other three Districts had complete teams.)
Results
Several Carnethies were there as marshals (where the Club was given the dubious honour of providing the sweepers for both the Junior and the Great Winter Runs). There was a Carnethy vest running in the former (home-made, someone said) and Colin Ledlie finished 262nd out of over 1700 in the latter.
Results
- 7th January
2007
Berwick XC
If the previous race in the series, at Galashiels, had a dollop of bog-and-burn, this one at Berwick was more like beach-and-brine.
Fortunately the organisers had read their tide tables correctly: the brine was well out, leaving an expanse of softish sand for the runners. The course was straightforward: out into the breeze along the beach for a mile, up onto the cliff path sandwiched between the sea and railway line for another mile; then turn and retrace your footholes in the sand, the breeze at your back. Being at the rear I could watch the runners on their way home. Brian Marshall (HELP) was in a two-way contest for first place, and Kate Jenkins (Gala) seemed secure as second lady. I thought I spotted a Carnethy vest in the middle of the bulge, whilst Mike Browne and Anne were a bit behind it. All-in-all, well worth the foray into England.
IAN
- 2nd January
2007
Greenmantle Dash
The Lyne Water at Romanno Bridge was bursting its banks, sending out an early warning about the likely conditions underfoot - extremely slippery; Run and Become would have done good business in the Hall after the race, given the number of folk whose unintentional bum-slides had led them to conclude their studs were worn away. It was a comfort to know that, in the event of a disaster, first aid was near at hand: as well as the usual mass of vets, every twentieth runner seemed to be a medic.
The results: Kate Jenkins won the prize for the best turned-out (again), in a blue velvet dress topped with a soft rimmed hat and shod in green wellies. Bob Waterhouse was second MV50 with Robin Morris third in that class, although to the latter's chagrin he finished just two torsos-widths behind Dougie Shiell.
The main spoils went to Lothian: Scott Fraser won in 16:09, just one second outside the record he set last year, whilst Mhairi Inglis pipped sister Sarah by three seconds to take the ladies' title in 21:02. Alasdair Anthony (Ochils) was second to finish in 16:15, eight seconds in front of Brian Marshall (HELP), and Edel Mooney (Lothian) was third lady.
Results
- 2nd January
2007
New Year's Day Triathlon
Edinburgh's Hogmanay party in Princes Street may have been cancelled, but the New Year's Day Triathlon most certainly wasn't. Mind you, it was relatively lucky with the weather: the battering rain must have made life miserable for the Portobello Promathoners with their 11.30am start, but it had been blown away by the time the nervous novices led the long snake of swimmers through the Commonwealth Pool an hour-and-a-half later. The strong wind seemed to have moderated too - but no, it was lying in wait to sandbag you just when your hopes were rising as you approached the long descent to Dynamic Earth. (One of the elite competitors, on foot, went straight past me here as I struggled along on my bike, in bottom gear and out of the saddle.)
The NYD Triathlon is very popular - the 400 places were taken within three weeks of entries' opening in October - and understandably so. You get lots of support, and because the slowest set off first on their way to four laps of Arthur's Seat you're always in the thick of the action.
It'll be a shame when the race has to take an enforced sabbatical thanks to the major upgrading of the Commonwealth Pool.For the record, Anne was third Female SuperVet and I was fourth Male Vintage. That sounds better than 237th and 274th out of 332 starters (of whom 317 finished). The full results are here
IAN
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