Old News: January - March 2009
- 31st March 2009
West Highland Way Reccy
A band headed off Saturday from Balmaha to do the run through to Crianlarich and up to the King's House. Full report here.
- 25th March 2009
Last night run of the season
The man's email brought a dozen or more out for a superb run. The email itself has been reported to the European Court as a crime against humanity, which is was. One more golf-reference and we would have jumped off the road bridge. Luckily Moira and Lindsay turned up to sweeten the proceedings, though with worrying news about Bob. We all send our very best to Bob and Cali.
In a figure of eight-ish we shot down to the Braidburn and, for some odd reason, took the very steepest, muddiest, and difficult track up the south side of the valley. Given that 'the man' has given up on the boat race for 2009 (the skipper has emigrated?) this can only be a hormonal anomaly brought about by the imminent arrival of spring. Oops, tonight the chill wind and hailstorms doesn't make that so likely. And then we encountered 2 more ladies. Was it Shirley and Lorna? - no real idea, it was dark and we were onwards, traversing back to the gate before heading to the summit. New member Andy (yet another one of that ilk) showed fine form on the run. Dropping down on the far side we headed down to the bottom by the golf range, and then back up again and over to the 18th hole, where we lost Gordon and Lindsay (what were they up to?). Mind you, at one point we were ten at the top, and "the man" had disappeared up another summit, but which? Then shot down into the Braidburn again, and over to Blackford, where we followed a new and rather creakingly steep route to the top. Back to KB where the IPA was off but we met up with the crew for a much-deserved pint. Warning - next week KB closes at 8:30.
Richard
- 23rd March 2009
Weekend Hill Races
There were two long established hill races this weekend. The short, sharp Chapelgill race was on Sat 21st. Steven Fallon was 4th and first Over 40 in 21:44, behind winner Prasad Prasad (Clydesdale), 19:34. Other Carnethies running were Doug Shiell (29th), Brian Howie (32nd), Colin Ledlie (37th), Fiona Lawley (40th), Liz Brookes (44th), Margaret Forrest (45th). Results
Report here : The sunny, warm weather of the previous week had dried out the hills. This with today's much cooler temperature and breeze, made for perfect running conditions - just right for a quick blast up and down Chapelgill. There's 430m of climb in this race, but crammed into only 1.2km, making for a very steep ascent. And after the turn - a punishing descent ! After the start, the runners split into two groups, one following Brian Marshall, initially contouring, the other following Alan Smith heading directly uphill. I followed Brian, but this route with its heather, proved to be the slightly slower of the two. An on-form Prasad also headed this way, eventually meeting up with Robbie (from Deeside) on the crest coming via from the direct ascent, the two of them then battled to reach the summit first. On the turn Prasad showed off his descending skills and left us in awe, winning some 20 seconds clear of Robbie. Although only 25 miles or so away from Edinburgh, I was surprised there was only a handful of Carnethies taking part. I came fourth and first male V40 - the blast certainly tired my legs for a run over 4 munros the following day, trying to keep up with Jon Ascroft and Ross Bannerman (Highland Hillrunners) over grass, bog and boulders. Steven Fallon
The other hill race was the classic Criffel from New Abbey on Sunday 22nd. Won by Andrew Wright (Carnegie) in 54:54, Adam Anderson was the only Carnethy running and finished an excellent 3rd in 59:54. Results
- 22nd March 2009
Carnethy 5 on The Adventure Show
Tiso's Carnethy 5 Hill Race be on The Adventure Show on BBC 2 (Scotland) on Sunday 5th April at 6.35pm. For those outside Scotland it can be seen on Sky Channel 990 at the same time. The weather conditions made it an unforgettable experience so we hope it comes across as such. If you miss it - don't worry, as it will undoubtedly be recorded for the club's archives and appear at some video night in the future.
- 20th March 2009
Sad Loss of Shirley Wishart
Scottish Islands Peaks Race and Glamaig Hill Race marshals and Carnethy members will be saddened to hear of the death of Shirley Wishart, who died in the early hours of this morning after battling with cancer for several years. Although not a club member Shirley has marshalled in both races many, many times and over many years and was a “well kent face”.
When already suffering from terminal cancer, Shirley still managed to climb Glamaig with Nick Macdonald to marshal on the summit. It was to be a day she would look back on with pleasure and pride. During a period in which she suffered the hair loss that chemotherapy can bring, Shirley still defiantly came along to marshal on Arran, confusing competitors by swapping her multitude of caps with different colours of hair extensions attached. Was this the same marshal who had set them off? Typically, Shirley just laughed and enjoyed marshalling just the same as ever.
Club member Scott Sneddon, Shirley's former colleague, hill walking partner, and close friend, has said that she tried so hard and remained brave and selfless to the end. Shirley will be much missed. Our condolences to Scott and to all Shirley’s other friends and family.
Nick MacDonald
- 19th March 2009
Gullane Night Run - Wednesday 18th March
So spring finally sprung, and a glorious day inspired 18 Carnethies to the seaside for the last night run of winter 08/09. And the glorious day turned into a pleasant evening, with the prospect of a little mist and a moon conspicuous by its absence. We set off east and inland of the sand dunes, eventually emerging onto Muirfield Golf Course. This reflects the sheer quality of this run, for a normal Wednesday night from KB often sees us running around the Braids, but that’s a just a cooncil course. Muirfield is a frequent home to The Open, it’s the real deal- beyond exclusive. And from there we hopped over a fence onto a greater bastion of beyond - exclusiveness, Archerfield golf course. So beyond-exclusive, that when I surveyed the run last Saturday afternoon, there was nobody to be seen. I confess this was disappointing at the time, for given the reputation of Archerfield, I was ready for a discussion. But back to the running. By now we were most of the way to the turn, and descended down to the beach with the light from the lighthouse on Fidra intermittently guiding our way. From there, we headed back west. Jings it was dark, we were well away from the reflected urban glow and some of the rocky bays became rather stumbly- the alternative was to run in the dunes, but the pervading blackness made it difficult to distinguish between a sand dune and a hole. I must work on my proprioception. Fraser’s shoe went its own way, but they are back on speaking terms again I gather. The final blast across the length of Gullane beach provided a fast finish to contrast with the earlier more adventurous elements of the outing. The sting in the tail was an ascent of the sand dune at the west end, allegedly used by real professional athletes for training. Wot no reps? Just the ticket for those nursing injured calf muscles as well. And then we retired to the snug at Ducks in Aberlady. Next month, things become competitive with the first handicap race of the season- so no more sauntering along having a blether with the Ladies Captain!
Robin Haynes
- 16th March 2009
Lucy Colquhoun wins Glasgow to Edinburgh, outright!
Lucy Colquhoun has always excelled at the longer hill and trail races and she is getting still better and better. On Saturday Lucy won the 54 mile (double marathon) Glasgow to Edinburgh Canal Bank Race in 6 hours 50 minutes beating the first man, John Brown (RH Cambuslang) by over16 minutes. (More evidence to support the view that women are better than men at the ultra distances)
Results
- 16th March 2009
East Lothian 3 Peaks Duathlon
There was an excellent turnout for another very enjoyable East Lothian Duathlon organised by Keith Burns.
There were over 40 people taking part in a Grand Day out,only spoiled for a few by the odd puncture (though all punctured got an Easter Egg as compensation and were helped by roving mechanic Jill Mykura) and directional misallignment. Keith arranged excellent weather, though we could have done without the slight headwind after East Linton !
The handicap event was won by new member Nathan Beard as first single runner/cyclist, and with some superb cycling times. Elsie Scott and Richard White were first team (and first finished), Moira Stewart and Willie Gibson first tandem, Kate Friend - first female, Bob Johnson first one to take a bike to the top of each hill. and Richard Lathe - first person to forget that a bike should be involved in a duathlon and running the whole way. Results and report.
- 10th March 2009
Borders Report
Saturday headed for the Ettrick Crucible. Off early from Tushielaw Inn, high winds, rain, mist at the top of Cacra, and down to Buccleuch. Breezy headwinds through the forestry and down to the decrepit bridge at Deerhope now repaired. Into the mist again at Ward Law, snowy descent to Shepherdscleuch where the once working farm is in wanton disrepair - bought by the forestry commission the locals say. Finally over Tushielaw only to get lost and emerge a mile away from target. 16+ miles and much height. Then overnight there were gales and snow, and with planned jog up White Coomb abandoned went in search of Karma, way down the Langholm road, and found it - the Tibetan Buddhist Temple. Amazing, not a mile from Eskdalemuir, and (like its counterpart on Holy Island - Lamlash/Arran) a surprise against a background of Scots Pines and Walter Scott. On the way back the Crook Inn, now safe again, is sadly deserted and in want of an owner. For years it was the starting point of the much missed Culter Fell Horseshoe Race, last run in 2005, which hopefully will be resurrected if the inn reopens. (Thanks to Andy S for pointing this out)
Richard L
- 9th March 2009
Glamaig Hill Race to be on tv
The 2008 (Carnethy-organised) David Shepherd Memorial Glamaig Hill Race will be on BBC2 next Sunday 15th March at 9pm as part of Monty Halls' Great Escape. It looks as though several Carnethy's will 'feature' (i.e. be seen in the background!) - look out for the red vests and yellow clansman. They shouldn't be hard to spot.
- 9th March 2009
Lyn Wilson helps East of Scotland to win UK Inter-Counties XC - Sat 7th March
East of Scotland senior women won the UK Inter-counties Cross Country Championship for the first time on Saturday. Freya Murray led the team to victory with Lyn Wilson (Carnethy) as the second counter. More info here
- 9th March 2009
Jacqui Higginbottom wins Deuchary Hill Canter - Sunday 8th March
It was typical Spring weather for this race (the last of the series of three held over the weekend in the forests of Birnam) - sun and snowy squalls. The backmarkers got the worst of it, inevitably. Jacqui Higgingbottom won Sunday's race quite comfortably as did Andy Symonds for the men, although he was shadowed by an under-age ghost! Joan Wilson had a great run to be second woman (for the second day running !) , while organiser Adrian Davis was 3rd overall and first Over 40. Results
Organiser's report.
More photos from the top of the hill on SHR's Flickr site
- 9th March 2009
Birnam Hill Classic - Sat 7th March
This short race up Birnam Hill (of Macbeth fame) was the second of the 3 Highland Boundary Races organised by Adrian Davis. Full report is here, but Prasad Prasad (Clydesdale) set a course record of 29:36 with Andrew Symonds (Carnegie) 2nd in 30:13. Of the many Carnethies who ran, Joan Wilson was second woman (45:10) with Kate Friend 3rd (46:34). Results
- 1st March 2009
Glentress Duathlon - Long Race
The third and last race in the Glentress Duathlon series took place today in perfect weather. There were 100 runner/cyclists taking part and Carnethy had a strong presence. The race was won by Prasad Prasad of squadra porcini, Jon Ascroft was highest Carnethy on 6th and Garry MacInnes was 10th (and 1st V40), Adam Anderson was 31st. (but 12th fastest runner) There were lots of Carnethy V50s, Bob Johnson was 2nd, Willie Gibson 4th, Keith Adams (Westie first Claim) 5th and Richard Woollcombe 6th. Cali was as ever first FV50. Chris Davies and Alison Powell were first mixed team. A great turnout for a great fun race
Results are on the Glentress Duathlon Site
- 1st March 2009
Bishop Hill Race
101 runners ran the short, sharp, Bishop Hill Race with bright conditions overhead and mostly dry ground underfoot.
Among the runners were 8 or more Carnethies including Steven Fallon (4th, first V40), Adrian Davis (5th, second V40) and Jacqui Higginbottom (2nd lady, 1st F40). Trevor Wilkinson enjoyed his first senior hill race. The race is mostly on a good path except for the start and finish which are across open woodland with twigs, leaves and a big dip adding extra challenges across the uneven sloping ground. Carnethy declined the team prize after confirming that a Carnegie Harrier would have been our third counter. The men's team prize was then corrected to Ochils, with Carnegie providing the only ladies' team. Report from Steven Fallon here.
Results
Michael Wilkinson
- 21st February 2009
Bronze Medal for Lyn at Nationals !
Photos:
Alan Young
Lyn Wilson had a great run to take third place in the Scottish National Cross-Country Championships held at Callendar Park, Falkirk - she was only 9 seconds behind second. Carnethy's other representative was Jacqui Higginbottom who finished 42nd, a good run in the quality field. Results
- 19th February 2009
Eric's Map Reading and Navigation Course
The second installment of this excellent course was held tonight at Kings Buildings. Both the earlier session (2 weeks ago) and tonight's event were well attended, with many non-Carnethies. We learned to read (and run..) compass bearings, to plot our position by multiple bearings, and to feel at ease with just a dark hillside, a map, and a compass. Thanks Eric.
An "on the hill" test is planned for later - watch for further announcements.
- 18th February 2009
The Wednesday Night Run
Nine made the trip. WG leading, we head off in darkness to the Inch, past some flood defences lovingly faced with stone, across to Craigmillar, and down round Little France to rise up to Danderhall. Across the fields on a new track, to the drop over to the road (didn’t W Mykura find this first?) and over to kilter through the outer bounds of the Drum Estate, finally reaching the gates. And someone had a headtorch that was far too bright? Gilmerton Station Road (spying wryly the old railway) and sharp right up through the farm to the top, where we headed fast down to Ellen’s Glen (someone had stolen Joanne’s car – oops, this was parked safely at KB; and no sign from the MacDonald residence) so onwards to KB where, disaster, the IPA was off. A splendid run, 8 miles in what, a bit under 90 min?
- 15th February 2009
Borders Cross Country, Berwick
Today's race at Berwick wrapped up the twentieth Borders Winter Cross-Country Series. The course is perhaps the least interesting of the six although, being hairpin-shaped, the folk at the back at least get to see how the race at the front is unfolding. It was reasonably testing too, the sand on the beach having its sinky sections and the rough grassy bits along the cliff top their fair share of mud. The Series is getting worryingly popular and the prize-giving at the end took a full hour. All those completing four of the six rounds were awarded the traditional horse brass - they included Mike Browne, Graeme Carracher, Fred McCain, Ian Nimmo, Pam and Stewart Whitlie, and Michael Wilkinson. While Anne Nimmo, Hilary Spenceley and Adam Ward won cups as well, for being first F55, first F50 and second M45 respectively. Carnethy gained the second place team prize over the series. The real applause, though, should definitely go to all the organisers for a thoroughly-enjoyable Series. Results (including final series results)
IAN
- 14th February 2009
39th 'TISO' Carnethy 5 Hill Race
As expected, times were slow but what a great experience racing through the soft snow and sliding down the hills ! A superb day out and a record field (of 499 finishers) turned out to enjoy the snow, the extra muddy and marshy start/finish field and the bum slide down to the Howe !
Rob Jebb (Bingley) just held off Prasad Prasad (Clydesdale H), in what was Prasad's first Carnethy 5, to take the honours and record his 4th win (a feat only equalled by John Brooks in the men, though Angela Mudge, of course, has had 11 wins) with Andrew Symonds (Carnegie) getting the 3rd spot. Fiona Maxwell (Mourne Runners) improved from her 3rd of last year to easily win the women's (from 113 female finishers) and she was first Over 40 woman as well !
The host club, with Geraint Florida-James, Stewart Whitlie (also first Over 40), Adrian Davis and Adam Ward, retained the team prize from 2008 - the famous Claymore - well clear of Carnegie in second place. A strong HBT squad won the women's team, for the first time, from Carnethy's team of Jacqui Higginbottom, Joanne Anderson and Lorna Ascroft - just some of the 64 Carnethy runners taking part (quite impressive considering the number helping and not able to run).
Great result for the first Under 20, Tom Addison of Helm Hill Runners in finishing 8th and to Mark McManus of Larne AC, the first Overseas runners and the first of a very large number of Northern Irish who took part. Mention must also be made of Jimmy Jardine (Lochaber) who finished again to record his 39th consecutive race !
Race Results Team Results Photo report incorporating race organiser's report.
Lots of pics on SHR website
Scald Law Race - Robbie Simpson after winning 3 senior races this year, gave up humiliating the "grown-ups" to run in his own age group and win the Scald Law race.
Scald Law Results here
- 13th February 2009
Snow, deep in places, for the Carnethy 5
Darren
Woodhead - artist
Course markers suggest - add on 15 minutes to your best Carnethy 5 time tomorrow and also 30 minutes for the traffic jams in Penicuik. The snow is calf-deep in places (knee-deep if you've got short legs) and the traffic round Penicuik is pretty bad due to the A702 road closure. Otherwise conditions on the Pentlands were good today with little wind and temperature just above freezing- in fact warm enough for an artist to sit and paint at the top of South Black Hill (without gloves)!
- 11th February 2009
Flotterstone Night Run
The temperature could not have got above -5 as we headed up from Flotterstone through thick snow. This weekend is the famous C5 race so we thought to check that the hill is still there! And it is, mightily covered in snow. Prospective runners note that skis are not allowed, though some patches now resemble a very decent piste in the Alps. More than a dozen summited Turnhouse, and a fast run down to the col before the blast up Carnethy. From the top a stunning scene, a newborn jaundiced moon rising over the Lammermuirs. Some heard the distinctive deep bark of a fox (or was it a wolf) way down in the valley. The precipitous drop down and a slow plod through deep drifts with moonlight casting grey shadows to reach the carpark again after a couple of happy hours crunching through deep whiteness.
Richard
Postscript. Low light pics rubbish ta modern digital technology. The scene was stunning, brilliant white snow reflecting the moon and stars. Where's that old Minolta?
- 8th February 2009
Pentland Snow Report
Those suffering from langlaufus deprivatus should not waste this rare opportunity for therapy in the Pentlands while the chance lasts. The weekend provided excellent drift and windpack on all lee slopes. The drifts were adequate to link together for long circuits on good snow; e.g. along the ridge flanks and over the summits from Flotterstone to West Kip. Most of the tracks off the ridges were also skiable on well packed snow. The heather was more frustrating but still possible. There were excellent snowfields and sastrugi on Scald Law providing a first class descent to the Howe, from where the road was skiable back to Flotterstone. The deep drift on the Carnethy Race descent line below Carnethy summit will last until race day, as will the drift between South Black Hill and East Kip. Sunshine and spindrift as well,
A rare weekend!
Keith Burns
And in the Borders
Heading up Windlestraw NE out of Innerleithen we were reminded of Nigel's email "I'm still rather wary of the winter weather". At the start the Idea of following an excellent journey route over a couple of inches of crunchy snow was, for a while, fantastic. No wind, but the snow got deeper and deeper and eventually we had to turn back as we couldn't move fast enough to keep contact with our toes. 4 km in 2 hr. Had to press down fast to keep extremities intact. Tonight same conditions appear to prevail in central Edinburgh.
- 31 January 2009
Boundaries of Edinburgh
We were blessed by magical weather, 6 made the whole route (~34 miles) around, and 16 participated in parts of the tour. Full report is now here.
- 28th January 2009
Burns Supper
A great evening's entertainment was had at the Carnethy's Burns Supper. Michael O'Connor kept things moving along with a menu of speeches, recitals, songs, music (piano, guitar, flute and clarsach) as well as food and drink. Cameron Burt led off with the Immortal Memory. He told us that it is 250 years since Burns' birth which enabled Colin Prichard to remind us that it's also 150 years since Charles Darwin dreamt up his Theory of Evolution. Colin (or was it Darwin) reasoned that females have evolved to run more slowly than males to enable the latter to catch them - otherwise the species would become extinct! (I guess it depends if the female wants to get caught - e.g.Jill). There was also some mention of male peacocks and bright colouration (was that a reference to our red vests?) Jill Mykura gave an excellent rhyming Reply. Thanks to the cooks and the performers for a quality production to a full house. A special big thanks to Ian and Margaret who hosted the event - and especially to Margaret who entertained us with some spendid flute playing too.
- 25th January 2009
Lyn Wilson 3rd in 4K Cross Country Championship
While some of us were plodding round the mud in the Borders, Carnethy's Lyn Wilson was speeding round Bellahouston Park to finish 3rd in scottishathletics' 4K Cross Country Championship. This was enough to give her 3rd overall in the inaugural Stewart XC Grand Prix which takes the best results from a series of 5 selected scottishathletics cross country races. The men's event was dominated by Shettleston's Eritreans while Freya Murray won the ladies title.
- 25th January 2009
Norham XC - Borders Cross Country Series, Race 5
The Borders Cross-Country Series has now moved into England, with races first at Norham and finally at Berwick (both of which, perhaps unexpectedly, are quite a bit north of Peebles and Galashiels). The day after the Burdens had been veiled in icy mist Norham was bathed in Spring-like sunshine. It must have been bathed in rain overnight, though, for there was shoe-stealing mud in abundance and the burn was in a brown spate –browner still after the field had been through it three times. The course was fair, challenging both the tall and the short: the tallies had to duck under overhanging branches whilst the shorties were up to their waists in the aforementioned torrent.
Adam Ward and Graeme Carracher were present to ensure Carnethy vests were prominent near the front of the field whilst Ian Nimmo did the same at the rear. Hilary Spenceley and Anne Nimmo (both first in their age categories) were somewhere in between them. (Results)
IAN
- 25th January 2009
Glentress Duathlon - Short
There was a good turnout of Carnethies at the Glentress Short Duathlon today.
Overnight snow caused some hectic resiting of registration and rerouting of the cycle, Elsie and Pete and all the Marshalls managed to reorganise everything to run very smoothly.
Captain Jon Ascroft was highest Carnethy in 11th with Garry MacInnes the 1st V40 and Bob Johnson 2nd V50, Cali Ingham was 1st FV50. An injured me managed to limp round the run and enjoy the bike with Richard Woollcombe happy that for a first time in any race he had not been Gibsoned (I'll Be Back!).
Full results are more photos are on the Glentress Duathlon Website
Willie Gibson
- 24th January 2009
Success at Devil's Burdens Relays, Lomond Hills
Seven Carnethy teams - that's 42 runners - were part of a huge field (about 120 teams of 6 runners ! ) that ran in icy conditions in this popular four leg relay over the Lomond Hills in Fife. After a flying start which saw 3 Carnethy teams in the top 7 at the end of leg 1, we kept the pace and still had two teams in the top 7 at the finish! The Over 40 team finished first Over 40s (probably the first time we've achieved that) in a superb 7th place overall, while our Senior A team (or B team as the Captain called it so as to keep them in their place) finished in a great 4th place in the very competitive field. Other result came from the Over 50s team who were 3rd in their Category and the Ladies A team were 4th female team. We also had a Senior B team, Ladies B team and Mixed Team.
Report and Results
Carnethy runners :
Senior A (4th): leg 1 Adam Ward&Angela Mudge; leg 2 Sam Hesling; leg 3 Simon Peachey&Stewart Whitlie; leg 4 Lars Ottermoller
Over 40s (7th - 1st Over 40s): leg 1 Andy Spenceley&Bruce Smith; leg 2 Olly Stevenson; leg 3 Adrian Davis&Steven Fallon; leg 4 Paul Ritchie
Senior B (25th): leg 1 Jon Ascroft&Cameron Burt; leg 2 Tim Darlow; leg 3 Derek Paton&Richard Bush; leg 4 Shane Bouchier
Over 50s (40th - 3rd Over 50): leg 1 Brian Howie&Cameron Scott; leg 2 Bob Johnson; leg 3 John Blair-Fish&Keith Burns; leg 4 Gordon Cameron
Female A (68th - 4th F): leg 1Kate Friend&Angela Gardner; leg 2 Joan Wilson; leg 3 Joanne Andertson&Jacqui Higginbottom; leg 4 Hilary Spenceley
Mixed (75th): leg 1Fiona Lowrie&Ian King; leg 2 Margaret Forrest; leg 3 Gregor Heron&Bruce Milne; leg 4 Jan Ascroft
Female B (92nd): leg 1Karen Meikle&Steph Gilmore; leg 2 Anne Nimmo; leg 3 Lorna Ascroft&Lucy Hailey; leg 4 Debbie Monteith
- 18th January 2009
East District Cross Country Dunfermline
The third and final race of the 2008/2009 East District Cross Country League was held in Dunfermline today. The ladies' , and U17 boys race saw Jacqui Higginbottom, Joan Wilson and Trevor Wilkinson struggle in the worst of the afternoon's weather with snow and icy winds. Trevor reported many drop-outs as the weather combined with the unending mud proved too much for many on he longer of the two laps. Michael Wilkinson was the only Carnethy in the senior men's race after the weather had brightened up. What the course lacked in scenery and hills was made up for by lots of mud which had been made stickier by the earlier snow and races. A great race as the undulating slimy course required careful footing and concentration throughout.
Michael Wilkinson
- 14th January 2009
Bob's Boghall Blizzard Nightrun
It was a wet night as 19 souls met up for Bob's Barony of Boghall Night Run.
It was a wonderful night on the hills with several inches of fresh snow, hail and gales but we all got round most of the checkpoints and picked up jelly babies, pens, lights and a luminous rock.
Report from our local correspondent:
"Two dozen Carnethies turned out for the Bob and Cali orienteering extravaganza, starting from Boghall. Clasping maps we headed up. Passing checkpoints and collecting trophies we ascended until the rain became snow. Torches not much good at head-height, the swirling flakes obscured everything, unless like Steven you have a megawatt lantern that would put small lighthouses to shame. Even the most familiar territory suddenly becomes foreign and unknown when there's no light at all and the land is covered in a couple of inches of windblasted snow. We found Bob huddled and freezing under a large umbrella at Windy Nick, ta for hot coffee, that was great, and pushed on for Caerketton. Padding up snow-covered trails, the chill at the top left us again gasping, until finally heading down for the carpark and a quick decant to the Steading where, thankfully, the fire was on."
- 11th January 2009
Borders XC - Dunbar
There was a good turnout of Carnethies on Sunday at Dunbar for the fourth of the six Borders Winter Series Races. The wind was also there in force to sand-blast the runners as they made their way along the beach but the tide was out so all the ditches were fordable. Adam Ward pipped Stewart Whitlie to be first M45.
Report
The Borders Cross Country Series continued in Dunbar today with a run along the border between Scotland and the sea. The juniors got cold wet feet running through salt-marsh before a right-hand U turn to run through more salt marsh, then drier tracks through the woods. The seniors followed the junior route out but did a left hand U to run along the beach. This was similar to the old Carnethy beach handicap, but being a cross-country rather than a hill race the course did not include any rocky sections.
According to the race officials the course went over a couple of river crossings, but the absence of bridges made "over" difficult for most mortals. The route finished with a nicely meandering trail through the woods providing good shelter from the strong tail wind.
The junior turnout rose to 4 with Scott Cameron joining Trevor, Owen & Jacob.
There were also many senior Carnethies enjoying the warm and dry weather on this course, that provided soft sand and salt-marsh as an alternative to hills. Results
Michael Wilkinson
- 11th January 2009
Great Winter Run and International Cross Country at Holyrood Park - Sat. 10th
Saturday brought the inspiring (or depressing) sight of Africa's elite tearing round Holyrood Park in the International Cross-Country races, almost but not quite lapping normal front runners such as Jethro Lennox and Alasdair Anthony. All the visitors were wearing shoes this time, no doubt for the avoidance of frost-bite. Lyn Wilson, Carnethy's sole representative (if you don't count the 18 shepherding the runners round the one hillock on the course), was a very creditable 27th out of 67, second "amateur" behind Freya Murray and ahead of several labelled in the results as GBR.
IAN
- 8th January 2009
Wednesday Run
The first Wednesday run of the year was well attended. A dozen of us did a 7 (ish) mile run round Braids and up Blackford. Our President and our Ladies Captain had their own shorter version, moral of the story is turn up on time or be left behind. We did wait until about 3 minutes past 7 but they arrived at 7:04.
It was a beautiful night and enjoyable run with a nice pint afterwards.
Why not come along and try it out. But note that Wed 14th is a Night Run from Boghall
- 4th January 2009
Junior Senior Relay
18 runners turned out for this year's Fun Relay which was won by Jacob's Crackers
Full Results
- 4th January 2009
Greenmantle Dash
Six Carnethies; Tim Darlow, Gregor Heron, Stephen Hibbert, Mike Lynch, Margaret Forrest and myself, turned out for what was to be a glorious day in Broughton. The ground was firm (i.e. frozen) underfoot and the burn quite low. It was no surprise then when Scott Fraser obliterated the existing record in a mind-boggling time of 15:06. Al Anthony wasn't far behind either in 15:13 and you could see that there were a lot of PBs being set. I, suffering from the excesses of the xmas period and being about 6 pounds heavier than I normally am, still managed to PB in 21:02 (40th). Tim was the fastest of us on the day in 20:03 (26th), Gregor was 22:49 (61st), Stephen 25:32 (87th), Mike 29:00 (107th) and Margaret 33:49 (116th). Results
Derek Paton
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