- 15th March 2014
New website on its way...
Much like the previous webmaster, the carnethy.com website is starting to look its age. Over this weekend it (the site, not Willie) will be put gracefully into retirement, and replaced with one that is new, shiny and hopefully easier to maintain.
Thus there may be periods when the old site appears broken, or the new site appears broken, but hopefully these will just be teething problems.
The web team
- 13th March 2014
Wed training
Map
No fast group last night, social and even more social were out...
Running as art - or at least a cartoon sketch. This week's devious social run squeezed in 7 golf course crossings in just under 8 miles.
The route is best described as a creature with a large head an long nose, quiff of hair, ample paunch, pointy bum, wearing a good quality
shoe. With a clear night a good pace was maintained, with a few sharp turns to avoid leaving golf courses too soon.
Michael Wilkinson
- 11th March 2014
Tri Trail Winter Series, race 4
Race 4 of the series was held yesterday at Dalkeith Country Park and was not without its problems. The third (night) race was blighted by some directional/signage/marshalling problems and yesterday was in a similar vein.
At the start line we were told that the 17K route was to be cut by 2K or so due to a problem with the landowners' horses. Or something. So it was billed as a 15K race, which turned out to be shorter in the end. Or did it?
Although the field was smaller for this run, the overall attendance for the series has been good, with 337 racers having completed at least one race after yesterday. Yesterday there were 72.
The route was a twisty one through the Park, some hard packed trail, some concrete and a fair amount of churned up mud (those horses again) which made for a stop-start type of race. We ran through the stable block courtyard at around 2/3 of the way and there was a water station for those who needed it.
Afterwards there was some grumbling about missing directional signs and people taking shorter/longer than others and indeed it seems that an arrow marker had been removed and the organisers have informed the CID (I'm not sure what they can do, but that's three races now in close quarter that seem to have been marred by some sort of tomfoolery - Devilla Forest being the highest profile). In any case, the leading group of 10-15 all seemed to be in visual sight of each other for most of the race so if we went wrong, then we all did. We all seemed to run around 13.5K, so the lopped off loop was obviously more than 2K in the end.
Prasad Prasad again won for his third win. Elke Prasad also won again in the female category. The best 3 race scores count (based on gender race position), and there is the reverse route of yesterday's race and the 50K Ultra on John Muir way still to come to complete the series.
Strava upload of route here: http://www.strava.com/activities/119172782
Race results here
Series results to date here
Mike Lynch
- 9th March 2014
Serene Second Sunday Road Bike Ride
5 Carnethies – Treasurer Paul, Jane, Jonathan, Magnus and yours truly enjoyed decent-ish weather, plenty snowdrops, skylarks, a comfort break and an unidentified red bird between Longniddry and Samuelston. Such conditions prevailed (ok, there was only one of those largish red birds) for all but the final 6 miles from Dalkeith back to Kings Buildings, where upon a good thin drizzle set in, it all got busy as everybody was in their car off to enjoy a retail experience and lunch at aunty ina’s and Edinburgh’s potholes threatened to swallow us whole.
Crucially, the route – here: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6190900 – came in at a whisker under 40 miles. Jonathan was adamant it was going to be over 40 miles and was accusing me of mis-selling, thereby risking his implosion, but happily all was well. Besides, the plot of the route is on real maps on the internet, so it must be right and those over 40 mile worries were spread by mis-calibrated bike widgets? And even though Jonathan-multiple-Bob-Graham-round-Whitehead invested considerable effort in merely threatening to berate me, a good pace was sustained by all, including him.
Next outing is the fast excursion on Sunday March 30th, for which speedy people are needed to ensure Paul is suitably tested.
Robin Haynes
- 8th March 2014
Scottish Islands Peaks Race - call for marshals
The Scottish Islands Peak Race will again take place over the weekend 16th - 19th May. The Race has been running for over 30 years and for most of these has been principally marshalled by Carnethy members and in return Carnethy has received a substantial payment to club funds (some £11,000 in the last 20+ years).
Marshals are required on three islands, Mull, Jura and Arran over the weekend. In addition the race needs some marshals to cover the Oban leg on Friday and a team will be required over the weekend (Saturday to Monday) at Race Office in Troon.
Mull requirements are usually all day Friday and part of Saturday and involves putting out the hill checkpoints as well as timing yachts and runners in and out. On Jura similar cover is required for most of the weekend with the checkpoints being put out on the Friday and finally on Arran from Saturday to Monday. This means that if anyone wishes to run the Goatfell Race and then marshal afterwards this is possible.
Rota systems operate throughout the weekend allowing marshals plenty of time to explore and there is something rewarding about being there to support fellow runners and friends in an exciting and fiercely competed adventure race. Marshalling is also the ideal way to observe the race first hand, if you have been thinking about taking part in future and is the ideal way to make contact with likeminded skippers and runners.
All out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.
Details of the Race can be found on the SIPR website here. If you think you can help both Club funds and support this long running race over all or part of the weekend then please let us know.
We are as usual most grateful to those Carnethy members who have already volunteered to marshal and to whose who have volunteered to be island and team leaders.
Please get in touch if you can help out.
Nick and Alison Macdonald
- 6th March 2014
Wintervals turn into Springts
A compact group of around 10 runners took on the hill out of Hunter's bog for the first session of the Spring. We did a short, but sharp session of 10x1min hill sprints. The gentle drizzle kept us cool, and the strengthening breeze made successive reps harder!
Iain Whiteside
- 6th March 2014
Kings Buildings Wednesday Run
The Social Run
Map (just the social run!)
This Wednesday's run was a rare trip round Craigmillar Castle, Little France and the Drum Estate. Willie led us across muddy fields until a fence round a building site blocked our way. Options around it were explored until we found the option of going inside the fenced off area.
There was some good choices of deep or slippery mud within the fence perimeter before we had to think about an escape to somewhere. "where are we?" mutterings continued for some time until we headed home via the Burdiehouse Burn to clean our shoes.
Michael Wilkinson
The Fun Run
I'm enjoying my own "steady runs" so much I've decided to keep drinking beer and eating pork pies! Again, a fabulous use of a wonderful evening, clear star lit skies, chill breeze, great company and entertaining conversation. According to Irene's Garmin, 3.99mls in 1:07, Braid Hill Trig point and a brief run on the Bill Gauld 7-Hills route to the Hermitage of Braid. As team leader I thought better of leading my 6 friends through the burn, I chickened out and kept our feet dry, opting for the usual return route to the KB. Lyndsey was on form with chat, Richard and I solved Crimea's problems, Paul was a constant beacon to be followed - Reflection Man!, 2 new recruits to the fold.... Just a good night out on the hills....
Watch out for the soon to be sorted "Hill Running isn't Scarey" evening run...
Andy Lennie
PS: on a very positive note today the Club Membership topped 250!
- 6th March 2014
Bob J completes the Andalucia Bike Race (6-day MTB race)
Last week Bob J completed the Andalucia Bike Race in approximately 35hrs.
Please don't do the maths (answer is a little over 7mph!!!) but the 250+ mile route consisted of 6 stages and a total climb of 9740m. Bob was teamed up with another Bob (Bob Whitmore from Didsbury, Manchester) who was 60 a few days before the start of the race. After frantic efforts to get the bike re-built the course was completed on the ol' faithful Lynskey (26" frame with 650B's squeezed in running "Rapid Ron" tubeless tyres) with no problems except a shattered rear disc rotor (ultra-light-s-height). The two Bobs finished 7th VET50 out of 9 finishing teams (the wet stage two removed some
9 teams from the VET50 class!). Assorted pics are attached for your amusement (and your dartboard)...
Bob J
- 5th March 2014
Monday Lunchtime Arthur's Seat Handicap
Runner Actual Fin Time Time Order Fin Order Bill K 00:44:02 12:58:22 12 1 Tom McN 00:41:20 12:58:36 11 2 Mike A 00:31:56 12:59:20 5 3 Alistair McG 00:51:25 12:59:29 13 4 Neil McL 00:38:52 12:59:42 10 5 Cameron M 00:30:50 12:59:53 4 6 Mark J 00:30:21 13:00:00 3 7 Eddie 00:35:24 13:00:00 6 8 Gordon C 00:37:15 13:00:04 7 9 Mike R 00:27:45 13:00:46 1 10 Stewart W 00:27:53 13:01:13 2 11 Chris Hill 00:38:03 13:02:11 8 12 Jamie 00:38:30 13:04:33 9 13
Another great turnout this month, with newbie Mark Johnston joining the merry throng.
Good win by Bill, with Tom following a close second. And half the field beating their handicap.
Mixed comments about the ground conditions, some saying it wasn’t bad, others that it was particularly slippy underfoot. Although there was a definite consensus that the descent off the crags is now becoming a slippy, muddy gully.
Mike Lamont
- 3rd March 2014
High Peak Marathon: Haggis go on tour...
Surely the done thing to say straight after a gruelling, overnight 42miler around the Peak District is to profess that ‘I’m never doing that again’, ‘that was hell’, or ’thank heavens that’s over’. Our reactions of ‘we should definitely recce that section for next year’, ’that was great fun, I wish it wasn’t over’, or ‘I think we should be called Haggis, Meatballs, and Champagne* next year’ seem distinctly out of place...
A still, starlit, and slightly chilly night gave near perfect conditions for Team Haggis on Tour (Iain, Jon, Jasmin, Konrad) to head down to Edale for the 40th High Peak Marathon. This was unexplored territory for me, both physically (I’d never ran anything like that far before), and topographically (Jon and Jasrad had done the race before and I’d never even been to the Peak District before!), so I was feeling some slight trepidation before the race, but a steady routine of alternating Percy Pigs**, Fudge, and Caffeine-loaded jellies, kept me going to the end. Thanks to the rest of the team putting their faith in such a liability! Highlights for me were
- the sunrise and inversion on Kinder Scout
- finding a checkpoint on a misty, snowy Bleaklow by echo-location - listening to hear the checkpoint marshals!
- getting cheered on by Jasmin’s parents in the snow and mist at 6am coming off Bleaklow: kudos to them for getting up at that time for the chance glimpse of us!
- the relief of realising we’d came 2nd overall and won our class, just 40s ahead of Nicki Spinks’ experience, local team! Results* We had amazing spaghetti and meatballs at Jasmin’s folks house before the race, and celebrated with the Paris family when Jasmin’s brother found out he got a lectureship in New York. Konrad was feeling distinctly giddy after having some wine with dinner as well…
** Other types of chewy sweets are available
Iain Whiteside
- 3rd March 2014
Bishops Hill Raid - Sunday 2nd March
Well it certainly was a raid of their wine and beer prizes with a 123 in the ladies with Charlotte Morgan, Mary Lye and Jane Jackson (also 1st v40) and Joan Wilson 1st V50 whilst Andrew Gilmore won outright with Ian Gilmore 4th and John Hammond making up the men's team. Only casualty was Bob Waterhouse who pulled a hamstring in the first 10 metres. Over 20% of the field were Carnethy so well done everyone.
Gordon Cameron
- 3rd March 2014
Endurancelife CTS Northumberland - Sat 1st March
This was the final of a series of trail events featuring coastal routes with 10k, half and full marathon and ultra distances all on offer. I had originally entered the ultra with my sister but she got injured so we switched to the half marathon (despite the steep entrance fee they were only offering vouchers for other CTS events rather than a refund). Needless to say my sister wasn't able to get back to fitness in time and I ended up on my own and instead of a nice ultra-paced trundle was faced with having to attempt to run faster and at a constant pace - not my strong points. However it was a very picturesque route from Craster (we were dropped off outside a cafe advertising Craster kippers in a bun which I regretfully decided might not be ideal pre-race fuel) up to Bamburgh Castle. Probably a good half of it was on beaches and with the sun shining and birds singing it was all rather lovely. Right up until the point at the very end where some git had decided to make the finish up several large sand dunes then the top of the castle ramparts. I managed to scrape 3rd in my age group, which I suspect reflects more on the caliber (or lack thereof) of my fellow racers rather than my ability to run speedily on sand. Results
Nicola Dunn
- 27th February 2014
Wednesday Night Training - 26th Feb
map (Michael's trace of the Really Social run includes a couple of loops added to help him unwind after getting stuck in traffic!)
The Fast Run:
14.4miles, 2hrs 20mins, 3,500ft ascent
Jim's plan tonight was to run out towards Currie and pick up Sunday's Circo route on the Water of Leith. We headed out to Wester Craiglockart via Blackford Hill, and then Euan led us through Craiglockart and through the old Redhall House (now a new housing scheme) to get the WofL pathway, through the old railway tunnel to Spylaw Park and then onto Woodhall farm. The path from White Hill to Capelaw was spectacularly muddy, and Charlotte led the charge up and down Allermuir. The Steading was calling me for a swift half, but time was getting on, so we headed directly back to KB via Swanston (through more deep mud) and Braidburn Park. We were just in time, as the KB bar was calling last orders, the beer was so bad Jim failed to finish his pint, or maybe he was too knackered to lift his arm.
Graham Nash
The Social Run
11 of us decided to head for Fairmilehead tonight, we had no Cody to lead us astray so we headed across Craigmillar Park and down through the filled in quarry to the Hermitage. Runnning across the junior golf course and on to the Braids Golf Course to Comiston road. Then on through Comiston park we found at least one cul-de-sac before finding our way to the footpath to Caistane.
Hitting the tarmac to Swanston Road it was time for some mud. Following the dog walkers track we edged the bypass in the quagmire of glorious mud before popppig out at Lothianburn Junction. Then after losing one of our group to a bus home, we plowtered through Morton Mains to Frogstone Road. The run to Bush Well Orchard saw Bob and Andy heading off at pace into oblivion!
The rest of us skirted the walled Garden and ran across Mortonhall Golf Course to summit Braids. Then on across the Junior Course and Braidburn to KB and a welcome pint after 8.5 miles.
Bob and Andy were showered and pinted having done a shorter version!
Willie Gibson
The Really Social Run:
I really don't know where to start!, possibly the most "fun run" I've done for ages - all thanks to the folk that came along. I went to Russia with Richard, Shetland with Irene, racket repair with Michael, a new level with "chat" with Lyndsey and almost A&E with Matt! A leisurely 3.95mls in 1:03, muddy tracks, puddle jumping, clear skies over the Braids and Blackford. Much thought about where we could take Willie somewhere he has never been in a 5mile radius of the KB! What did Matt do to deserve a beating from Lyndsey?, Hysterectomy?, Strange Filipino practices?, all could be answered if you join me on the next Steady run! ( Membership Proof Required ) Get back to the Bar before the Fasties and see how Jim Bob looks, after Charlotte and Graham lead a run
An(drew)y
- 24th February 2014
Circo Edinburgh 2014 - Sat 22nd Feb
*now with map!*
As Saturday approached the line-up for Circo was looking fairly thin. It has never been an event that’s attracted many, to be fair. I was concerned that after an evening of call-offs (especially the anonymous text message at 2am saying that they were on a night-out and unlikely to make the start), that it’d be just me and Graham. Alas no, there were about 14 at the start, including a mix of Carnethies, Harmenys and a couple of Westies. A surprising number, but all good!
The first couple of miles cover the familiar ground of Morton House, then across a field to the Straiton Substation. Mark took offence at the 20m of ploughed field and led a rogue faction another way, though perhaps not the best route, and so there was a bit of a wait for them at Straiton. Onwards to the disused railway to see Edinburgh’s finest collection of broken car parts, household rubbish, spare tyres, dumped rubble and smashed bottles. A beautiful sight. ..... report continues here.
The Bicycle Circo Report: By popular assent the bike version avoided the disgracefully landowner-blocked Gilmerton railway cutting by taking the Fairmilehead – Burdiehouse Burn – Drum Estate alternative. This provided tolerable hazards of mud and water rather than the old mattresses and Colditz wire-tangles of the railway cutting.....report continues here as well
- 24th February 2014
Bowhill Duathalon Series - Long Race - Sun 23rd Feb
So the forecast for Sunday's last Bowhill Series was pants again. Here's to winter races. The short and the medium race had been wet, but the wind and rain woke me up at 0100 this morning and then a few times more so the final long race (10km cycle, 10km run) looked like it would be really wet and involve some log jumping. And, the forecast for the midday race start was looking even worse, but forecasts are never right and it didn't end up too wet from the sky, but the course was a mud bath-cum-torrent-puddle-fest. The bike route included a much more technical section than previously which really improved the bike section and made for a great route.
Five Carnethy's were there. Mike Lynch turned up for a try voicing concerns about the age and state of his bike. Roy and Jessie Dahl were going for their third win in the relay, and Adam Anderson was there to show how to run and cycle faster than most. Andrew Patience also started but maybe didn't finish. Having complete the 32.5 miles on Circo of Edinburgh yesterday I felt I had maybe overdone my preparation but I felt it unlikely to get a prize unless the usual MV40 sharks that always beat me by about 5 mins on previous races didn't turn up or had got crushed somehow. As it was, they were there, so the weariness didn't matter.
The results for Carnethy: Jessie and Roy Dahl came second in the relay but won first prize over the 3 race series. Adam Anderson came 6th overall and was first MV40. Mike Lynch came in 30th and I improved my position from last years 42th to get 27th in the long race and got 4th MV over the series and managed a consolation bottle of beer and an extra creme egg. Results
Mark Hartree
- 23rd February 2014
Scottish National Cross Country Championships - Sat 22nd Feb
Nationals: it’s the final xc of the season (hills, here I come!) and one of my favourite races. God knows why, though: it’s long, fast, muddy, and if you blink you lose about 4 places, such is the competition. This year, there was a good Carnethy turnout for the senior men’s race with Andy Fallas leading the men home in 36th, me in 41st, Adrian Davis 164th, Mark Johnston 212th, and Roddy McRae 349th. A few Carnethies were spotted running for other claims: James Waldie was 37th, Andrew Gilmore 184th, his brother Iain was 25th in the U20 race, and Kate Jenkins was 72nd in the ladies race, still trying to shake off the flu. Sorry if I missed anyone! Results
Iain Whiteside
- 23rd February 2014
Fast Road Bike Ride.......mission abort!
Today's last sunday of the month fast road bike ride met with less than ideal conditions. Wind SSW 30 mph is hard work...but hard work is good. However, the gusts of over 50mph were not good (a gust of 59mph was recorded at 8am)- I got blown into a massive pile of dog poo (Houston, we have a klingon problem) en route from home to Kings Buildings. Although Andy Spenceley was also daft enough to make it for the 9.15 start, we were suffiently sane to adapt the route to the conditions - this where we went: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6215316. Next outing is the 2nd Sunday of the month easier ride on March 9th.
Robin Haynes
- 20th February 2014
Wed training
Map
The social group run soon went ridiculous as Cody disappeared and we heard the rapidly diminishing sounds of Gordon's dog whistle. Cody soon re-appeared grasped firmly by the fast group, minus lighted collar. Gordon had returned to the wild however, and lacking a human whistle scouts were sent to the high ground to holler and shout. Eventually Gordon was rounded up and we set off for the Craiglockharts via the Hermitage, where Cody managed to find an adversary and a fight ensued, sending the other dog's walker from the scene in tears. Oh dear.
Fortunately the rest of the run went ok, our C5 tired legs got us up the hills to a sparkling view and then straight back for beer.
Digby
It was an evening of animals for the fast(ish) group. After accidentally stealing Cody the dog from the social group, we took to Braids and round Mortonhall, we stumbled on a small herd of deer, who all seemed perplexed at the blur of headtorches and reflective lycra. Matt led the way, snaking through the fields, ducking under trees, over the bypass and up the Caerketton race route - a climb I found quite difficult to bear. We horsed around on the scree, then down to Swanston, over Oxgangs road, then to Blackford Hill and finally back to KB.
Jim
We know not what Andy's easy short run was like. Splendid, for sure.
- 16th February 2014
44th 'TISO' Carnethy 5 Hill Race
As forecast, the freezing rain stopped just in time (but not the wind!) and the sun came out to shine on a great day's racing. With wet snow, lots of mud and a strong wind, it was not a day for fast times and so it proved with only 28 of the field of 498 under the hour.
What a race it was at the front. The first four were the winners of the last four years, so all knew the feeling of crossing the line first! For most of the race the battle at the front was headed by last year's winner Finlay Wild (Lochaber) and the 2012 winner Orlando Edwards (HBT), with Orlando pulling away on the top half of Carnethy only for Finlay to almost, but not quite, close the gap on the descent. These two broke away from the chasing pack of 2011 winner Tom Owens (Shettleston), 2010 winner (plus plenty of other years) Rob Jebb (Bingley) and Andrew Fallas, the first Carnethy runner. Kenny Richmond (Shettleston) won the Over 40 category for the fourth year running, from the 2001 race winner, Jim Davis (Borrowdale), an impressive result.
The women's race was equally close, with Sarah McCormack (Moorfoots), who has been second the last two years behind Angela Mudge (Carnethy), taking advantage of Angela not starting, to record a fine win, just doing enough on the descent of Carnethy to keep in front of Charlotte Morgan (Carnethy), who took second. Shileen O'Kane made her journey from Northern Ireland worthwhile by taking the Over 40s award, though the first overseas runner and so winner of the Abernethy Quaich was Samuele Poletti from Switzerland.
Hunters Bog Trotters recorded their first team win for quite a few years in the men's team, but there was a real battle for second place eventually won by Shettleston, as three teams, Shettleston, Carnethy and Helm Hill Runners, were separated by only 5 points. Hunters Bog Trotters also claimed the women's team on countback as they recorded the same total as Carnethy, but got their counters in first.
Two people were awarded a Quaich this year for completing 21 races, Des Crowe(Dundee) and Sandy Bennet (Unattached), while Jimmy Jardine (Lochaber) completed his 44th race, i.e. he still has never missed one, which is probably the most impressive result of all!
Article by winner Orlando Edwards here.
Results and Team Results. All previous results are on the race web page here.
Digby's photos here, Bob Marshalls' here, and some pics from Charlie Ramsay here. Cammy's photos here. Allan Gebbie's here, Matthew Curry's Photos here, Nick Schierloh's here
Mary Lye's interesting blog report of the race is here.
Luke Foss (Law & District) had a clear win in the Scald Law Junior Race from Tom Harris (Fife), with Charlie Burnett (Carnethy) being fastest in the 'To the Col' Fun Run.Scald Law Results
- 16th February 2014
44th Parbold Hill Race
While most Carnethies were busy running the C5, Michael Wilkinson and another Carnethy, Ian, decided to run a less hilly race (1600 feet, 6.75 miles) at Parbold in Lancashire. What the race lacked in height it made up for in depth and area of mud. 1:03 was slower than previous years, but still slightly faster than my brother, Peter: http://www.ukresults.net/2014/parbold.html
The cold showers at the finish had improved from the traditional hose pipe from a water tanker I remembered from previous races. A new multi-nozzle high pressure system has been added that is more effective, but just as cold.
Michael Wilkinson
- 16th February 2014
Carnethy 2, 3 at Borders XC - Dunbar
The last race in the Borders XC series at Dunbar was in glorious sunshine, as have been at least the last 2 here (ie the ones I've been in). A bit of a breeze took us tired C5 runners nicely down the beach and past the lighthouse, but oh, turning the corner and coming back was not quite so easy!
Not a lot of us turned out. Those whose series places depended on it did, and a small core of diehards made up the rest. Andy Fallas and Mike Reid were in hot contention race and series wise. Andy finishing 2nd took the race today from Mike in 3rd place, and Mike took the senior series by one point from Andy. Helen Bonsor was 3rd woman running for the first time in the series following injury. Vicki Gilmore was far from last in her category, improving all the time!
I gained the Exalted and Giddy heights of 3rd M60 in the series... Bill Gauld got a special award of Exalted Elder of the Series of at Least 70 Years Old. Stewart Whitlie won the series M50-60 class, Jess Dahl was 5th woman, Iain Gilmore was 3rd in the under 20 class.
Carnethy won the men's team prize, and for any other stats you'll eventually find the overall results here. Photosets from James Addie here and the indefatigable Bob Marshall here.
And we all got a rather disappointing mug, when we wanted our HORSE BRASSES!
Digby
- 14th February 2014
The 44th 'TISO' Carnethy 5 Race is almost upon us!
The Pentlands got a dump of snow today and there is more likely to fall tonight, but the forecast for tomorrow afternoon is not too bad as per Met Office: A cloudy start with some showers. Drying up during the morning with some good spells of sunshine developing in the afternoon, especially through the Lothians. Brisk northwesterly wind. Maximum Temperature 7 °C. ... so might even see some sun! As usual a top quality field among the 610 entries...so whether you are aiming to win; not be Mudged; want to get under 80 mins or even just enjoy yourself, good luck to you.
- 14th February 2014
Wintervals - Thur 13th FebThe final session before the C5, and because of that the turnout was low. AndyF led a party of Fergus, PeterB and myself on a staggered climb up Nether Hill. Easier session than usual, we don't want to burn out before the weekend. Clear skies, a bit windy.- Reps of 2mins- Rest with a gentle jog downhill for 1min.- Session over when we reached the summit of Nether.Jim Hardie
- 13th February 2014
Not the C5 Recce Night Run - Wed 12th Feb
With the rest of the UK battered by storms and floods, and with memories of last year's blizzard on the run, it turned out to be a relatively benign and pleasant jaunt over Turnhouse and Carnethy. Willie almost blotted his copybook by missing the promised scree run but we did find it and filled our shoes with gravel, to enhance the boggy return to Flotterstone. A few marks lost at the pub for salty soup and dry bread but my neighbour's chips were very good and the aromas of the various meals were very enticing. Good beer as well and the lovely glowing stove to thaw out in front of.
Now, who had the Scampi? According to the pub one meal wasn't paid for and Helen is now out of pocket!
Digby
- 10th February 2014
The Agatha Christie 2nd Sunday of the Month Road Bike Ride
Agatha Christie? Well folk kept disappearing! 7 hardy souls were lured out by a decent showing from the February sun. First to disappear were Jamie and Joanne Thin…….claiming a lack of fitness. Richard-lost 7kg since last summer-Bush diagnosed plenty fitness but too much talking at the back there. Ho hum, I suppose he is a teacher. And then there were 5. Next to go was new face Dave who finally surrendered in his heroic battle with a mountain bike and touring pannier around about Lamancha. So the remaining 4 went over and above the call of duty and braved big winds and a steady drizzle for a further 2 miles to the agreeable café at Whitmuir. Well hard we were. After which Richard Bush deployed his caffeine rush to head home directly, leaving Andy Spenceley, Jane Robertson and myself to enjoy a wind assisted and effortless 30-40mph return along the moor road to Penicuik and home. 42 miles in a supremely leisurely 4½ hours – the route is here. Next outing will be the fast (so no mountain bikes or expedition panniers please) last Sunday of the month edition on Sunday February 23rd. See you there.
Robin Haynes
- 6th February 2014
Wintervals
A large turnout, on a still, cool night: perfect for a trip to Whinny hill. We opted for a speed session, doing 4x90s, 4x60s, 4x30s, jogging back down for recovery. Only 12 minutes effort, but it felt like forever. Thankfully everyone managed to avoid the rabbit hole in the middle of the path, though the recent rain made for some comical slips on the way back down.
Iain Whiteside
- 5th February 2014
Wed Training
map
3 very diverse runs!
Slow run
With Andy Lennie unable to make the slow run there was some chopping and changing of run leaders. At one point 3 of us were going to lead it but when I turned up at 7.25 the only person waiting was Helen. Where were you all?! Did the forecast put you off? It was lovely out! Still and clear, we had a very pleasant run around the Hermitage and Blackford Hill, stopping occasionally for a ritual roundup and headcount.
Digby
Social group
The fast runners decided to do the 7 Hills route without Arthur's Seat so there was one hill left for us. Willie led a new variation of a Craigmillar Arthur's Seat loop adding a new section of woods to bring us past the ERI. WIth the combination of wet rock and greasy mud there were a few more fallers than usual, but still a great run completed with Pollock Halls turnstile confirming we are all slim enough to stay with the group.
Michael
Fast group
14.75 miles. 2hrs 15mins.
The weather has looking wet, so decided on a lower level route to avoid the muddy tracks - The Seven Hills route but missing out Arthurs Seat. As it turned out the weather was fine, underfoot any tracks were wetter than a garden in Somerset, with the path round St Leonards challenging in trail shoes.
5 started, but we lost Andrew Normand at Haymarket (hope he got back ok), the remaining 4 took the fast route to Corstorphine Hill, past Roseburn and up Murrayfield Road. Its interesting to find so many route variations on the 7 hills route. The climb up to Craiglockart really was a "climb".
Back at KB we had just enough time to get a pint of Stewarts before the bar closed.
Graham
- 4th February 2014
Monday Arthur's Seat Handicap
Some unseasonal dry weather encouraged a large turnout, including five newbies.
Welcome to Alistair, Bill, Mike A, Dessie and Andrew (as first timers, you will get an actual handicap for the next race).
A PB from Neil clinched the race for him. But beaten handicaps also for Eddie, Cameron, Chris, Digby and Mike R.
Runner Actual Feb Fin Time Time Order Fin Order Neil McL 00:39:10 12:57:38 14 1 Eddie 00:34:25 12:58:03 9 2 Cameron M 00:30:00 12:58:07 5 3 Chris Hill 00:35:02 12:58:20 10 4 Digby 00:38:51 12:59:23 13 5 Mike R 00:26:43 12:59:28 2 6 Andrew N 00:26:06 13:00:00 1 7 Dessie 00:31:14 13:00:00 6 7 Mike A 00:32:36 13:00:00 8 7 Bill K 00:45:40 13:00:00 15 7 Alistair McG 00:51:56 13:00:00 16 7 Gordon C 00:37:20 13:00:18 11 12 Stewart W 00:27:00 13:00:40 3 13 Colin Doig 00:32:05 13:01:19 7 14 Paul F 00:28:53 13:02:42 4 15 Matteo 00:37:25 13:03:03 12 16
Next handicap will be March 3rd
Mike Lamont
- 3rd February 2014
The John Muir Winter Carnival, Trail Race - Foxlake
The trail race at Foxlake formed part of the John Muir Winter Carnival, as was again organised by the Tri Trail outlet. The day of events kicked off with the trail race, and a host of other events followed including cyclocross, open water swimming and wakeboarding.
For the trail race, the route was exactly the same as that run on 12th January with racer numbers up from 93 to 144. The main difference was the condition of the route - although it was a fine morning the legacy of several wet days had left it very muddy and this told in several falls within the first couple of miles (shoe selection was a problem for some).
A headwind in the first half made for tricky sections too, but the the second half of the route was much firmer and the wind didn't come into play.
In the end, Prasad Prasad (Squadra Porcini) won again with a time of 50:18, almost 2 minutes slower than his winning time of 12th January, with Elke Prasad (Squadra Porcini) first female in a time of 58:16, nearly 3 minutes slower than before. Overall, the times for the leading runners that completed both races were slower in Race 2. I managed to limit my losses to 35 seconds to come in 17th (for the second race in succession) in 1:00:28 and Colin Ledlie raced for the first time in 1:16:49 for 94th place.
Results for Race 2 are here. Overall series results to date are here. Race pictures here
Mike Lynch
- 3rd February 2014
Angela takes Masters title at Hawick - Sat 1st Feb
Angela Mudge became Scottish Over 40 Cross-Country Champion at Hawick on Saturday with an easy win of well over a minute - in what were horrible conditions. This is the 3rd time she has taken this title, though missed out last year. Joanne Anderson was43rd. Harry Gilmore ran in the men's race. Report and Results
- 2nd February 2014
Fife Coastal Path Jaunt
A text from Graham Nash had five of us arrive a Lower Largo in Fife at 0900 today for a jaunt around the Fife Coastal Path to St Andrews as the hill forecast was pretty poor and there looked like a weather window over East Fife, even if a bit windy. The sun shone to start and after a few miles and a muddy farm track heading inland and through a load of cows, we realised that we weren't actually on the coastal path at all. We diverted south and hit a lovely windy path along the edge of the beach on Largo Bay in the sunshine. We ran on the beach, again missing the path diversion and were confronted by the Cocklemill Burn. Graham Nash and Jim Hardie figured they could keep dry feet if they ran far enough down the beach while Mark Hartree, Craig Mattocks and Kate Jenkins and dog Jess figured we would have wet feet at some point, so it might as well be now, and waded the burn to cross Ruddons Point to get to shell bay. At Earlsferry, Kate and Jess decided to return to the car and drive to St A's and run back along the path to meet the four who continued on via the lovely Fife coastal villages of Elie, ST Monans, Pittenween, Anstruther and on to Crail. The sign of people buying up holiday homes and not living in them was clear as most of the towns were empty.
Refreshment was taken for 20 mins in a nice wee Crail pub at 18 miles before the second half tf the route ot turn Fife Ness and on NW towards St Andrews with the wind now behind us. The odd spot of rain fell, the path wandered up and down the cliffs and along beach edges, and here and there timing of waves was needed to get past the to bits (nearly) impassable at the high tide and sometimes strewn with rocks and flotsum from the recent storms. Jim followed instructions to wade into waist deep foam, and Craig mis-timed the waves at the bottom of one of the cliff pass making for some entertainment to me and Graham. We waited for Jim with the video camera ready till we noticed that he had headed up and over to avoid a soaking, damn. The route then basically fringes golf courses for miles but by Kingsbarns, Jim's bodily functions dictated a bus to St A's leaving Mark, Craig and Graham to finish the 8 miles to the finish. We soon met Kate and Jess and continued together along a nice section with an old sea wall with spouting waves past Boarhills and the final stretch on tired legs. The rain was on and off and the path now got really muddy in places particulary from Buddo Ness to Kinkell Braes just to take a bit more out of us. But, St A's was now in sight and in the bag and we hit East Sands with waves crashing against the sea wall, past the old Cathedral Ruin and into town. Jim had found the Central Bar so we me there and had a wee refreshment. Thankfully, Kate and Craig taxied us back to Lower Largo in 30 mins saving an 1hr 20min bus ride. 32.5 miles done in 6hr 50mins.
Mark Hartree
- 30th January 2014
Wed Training
Fasties: After a quick 20minute run from the Braids through Mortonhall and out to Frogston Road we didn't have quite enough puff left to get to the top of Caerketton, opting instead to go round the ski centre and back into town via Swanston. The only summit of the evening was Blackford Hill, since it seemed to be on the way to the pub anyway. 10 miles in about an hour and a half.
Bruce McAdam
Social: I was too obsessed with trying to stop my new sophisticated reactive headtorch from blinding me and everyone else that I didn't notice much about the run, except that it seemed to be muddy. And dark. Except for a ludicrously bright spot of light about 15ft from my feet. Then my leg started hurting. But enough about me...
Digby
- 29th January 2014
More tales from the Devil's Burdens...
Read all the reports here
Senior Women
Burning lurgy lungs, snot inducing calf screaming ascent, bum muscle pulling descent and painful shuffle back.
BUT: great to see so many friends and FANTASTIC results! (Other than mine)!! And, it made my day to see Bill running so strongly as I hobbled back to the start of my leg. He is a Super Hero, never mind a Super-dooperd-vet!
Kate Jenkins
Men V40 Leg 4
Coming into this I didn't really know how much my efforts on The Spine would have taken out of me. I'd had a couple of runs and felt OK, almost spaceman like not being burdened by the weight of a rucksack. But it's not until you have to race that you find out whether there's any zip in the legs. A gentle jog over helped to loosen the legs and fine tune our route choice. Standing around at the start we were caught slightly unawares when Craig came flying down the road. So that was it, bang, we were off, some "kids" flew by us more o'less at the start. We didn't panic as we definitely new they had another 20+ years before they'd be classed as vets and so we watched them disappear. I for my part assumed my position sitting on Olly's shoulder concentrating on keeping up and getting the required oxygen to keep me going. It was good team work, with Olly setting the pace, both of us shedding clothes as we went, he sorting out the CP's and allowing me to to concentrate on keeping going till we got to top of East Lomond. Where he then urged me on for the downhill to sort the CP duties out. In contrast we did have company in the first third of the leg with another V40 team but they certainly weren't working together and as such it felt we had the upper hand especially on the climbing.
It's nice to do well, but I think I was more relieved at the finish not to have let the team down after they'd done such a great job on the previous 3 legs and put their faith in me. I'm sure we were all wondering what I'd be like, like I say I know I was. Relays are interesting they bring that added dimension of team sport to what is normally an individual pursuit.
Matt Davis
- 27th January 2014
The Marmot Dark (and misty) Mountains
Writing a story on success is a lot of fun, sharing your elation at a strong finish, describing, with smugness, the ache in your limbs from a good hard run.
Unfortunately, this is not such a story. In 2013 Dark Mountains well and truly kicked my ass. The biblical storm that the race was run in left me with pretty severe hypothermia and a numbness in my feet that lasted for 7 weeks.
2014 was going to be different. I was so confident in this prediction that I convinced Fraser that this time we should enter a harder course and signed us up for the B class.
Everything went well in the run up to the event. Some training was actually done. I made sure that I had clothing that was actually warm enough for winter night racing. I was sure that my nav was actually good enough.
So at 9.33pm we set off from the start line near Glossop in the Peak District. A quick look at the map showed blue was the dominant colour across most of the map so we were sure to have much fun running across very boggy hillsides.
The route looked relatively straight forward with decent handrails running into the checkpoints. With some 40Km and 1800m of ascent it was going to be a long night but more than doable. My only concern was checkpoint 2, a kilometer south of the summit of Bleaklow in some complex and boggy terrain.
The first checkpoint was dealt with swiftly, a nice uphill run along a vague track to the summit control. Afterwards we descended into some awful terrain. Deep ravines cut into the peaty bog with a lot of up and down required to make any forward progress. Some helpful soul had built some wooden walkways across the worst sections. Within minutes Fraser had proved these walkways were absolutely lethal and came clattering to the ground. The decision was made to abandon the wooden death traps and smash our way through the mud to higher and drier ground.
At 580m we climbed into the thick mist enveloping the summit of Bleaklow. The terrain on the plateau was terrible, ravines criss crossing the muddy ground making it difficult to stay of course. Eventually we hit the fence line a few hundred meters behind the checkpoint. Missed it on the first attempt, no big deal, just relocate and attack the control again. After 20 minutes of searching still no control so we went back to the fence line to get our heads together and try again. With the visibility down to less than 5 meters at times we were literally going to have to trip over the control to find it.
Again and again we tried to no avail. So at around 2am after 3 hours to trying to find the control from 6 different attack point we had no choice but to abandon the course. Even if we did find it there was no longer enough time to complete the rest of the course.
Feeling dejected and pissed off we trudged off down the hillside along the Pennine Way and back to the event centre. A quick couple of hours sleep and some breakfast, then the long drive back to Edinburgh.
Last years event taught me more about mountain running than everything else I've done combined. Hopefully, in time, I can take the lessons from this year and come back stronger for next year... maybe.
Conor Cromie
- 27th January 2014
Bowhill Medium Duathlon
The medium length race of the Bowhill Duathalon took place yesterday in somewhat wet conditions after a morning of heavy rain and snow. Thankfully, the estate had been out clearing fallen trees to make the route fully rideable and runnable, even if most of the tracks were flooded and more like streams.
132 braved the mornings murky start and top marks go to Roy and Jessie Dahl in the relay team again who came first again and are heading for a hatrick of firsts. Jessie ran in the Devil’s Burden yesterday and at the transit area, managed to not lose time while swapping a bike for two small children. I managed to improve my time again and upped my placing to 25th and sitting 5th in the MV over the two races. Next time, I am not going to waste 90 secs in transition (4 places) changing shoes, especially now I realise that transition time counts!!
Mark Hartree
- 26th January 2014
Borders XC - Andy Fallas & Michael Reid one two at Conundrum
Conundrum indeed! The weather was a bit grim though not quite
,
but it was very cold & windy.
I don't know if this route has been run
before but I tried to more or less memorise
it, and as the race progressed I thought
- this doesn't resemble the map. Eventually
the route we were running came up against
a tape across the race line (at the farthest
point south), the runners crossing it and
returning back the way but on the other
side of a hedge. Some vaulted it; I tried
a racing limbo and had my hat swept from
my head for my trouble. Bill assumed a
diversion around a neighbouring building
but just lost time. So I have no idea where
we were actually supposed to go. We followed
all the marshals directions and marking
to that point, but the GPX trace is quite
different to the published map, as you
can see. Hopefully the whole race took
the same route; certainly all the runners
in my view took it. Anyway we enjoyed it!
Stewart Whitlie and Iain Gilmore did well
too, with 1sts in their categories. Results
Digby
The Mystery is revealed: Tweed Striders were organising for the first time and apologised for the slight blip in marshalling resulting in people running a different course from that advertised. But as everyone who was there ran the same course and covered approx the correct distance and feedback on the event was great, we're all looking forward to next year's race already.
- 26rd January 2014
January Road Bike Events
The 2nd Sunday of the new year saw a breakaway of 3 riders escape along the coast to Longniddry then south over deserted, scenic roads in the general direction Glenkinchie Distillery (we contemplated pausing for breakfast there) and then returning by Cousland (to get an extra hill in) and Dalkeith. Unfortunately everybody else seemed to have been put off by the prospect of frost so there was no peloton behind for Jonathan Whitehead, Paul Ritchie and myself to have been ahead of! 40 miles- route (kind of - not sure I remembered every detail right) here: . Full marks to City of Edinburgh Council for having the Innocent cycleway gritted by 9.30 am on a Sunday- the route was chosen to either stay on treated roads or be going uphill (ie, slowly) for those left unsalted.
The last Sunday of the month - today - saw foul weather forecast- black cloud, two raindrops, 3 degrees C and wind gusting 40mph. Perfect conditions- where were you all... refer to Rule 5 here: Velominati? So it was just Mr Treasurer Paul and yours truly. And whilst you are looking at the link, refer to rule 9, and, in keeping with rule 24, it was 80km- route here:. ThatÕs enough rules for now though... next edition the 2nd Sunday in February easier excursion. See you there.
Robin
- 25th January 2014
Success at Devil's Burdens Relay (helped by having 60 runners out!)
Amazingly there were 10 Carnethy teams (the most ever) at the Devil's Burdens Relay in Fife today - that's 60 runners from the club (and we didn't even need to double up one person!). Perhaps because of the large numbers, we won quite a few prizes .. with two first places: the Mens' Over 40 team (and 7th place overall) and the Men's Over 50 team (helped by our President, no less!). The Senior Women's team came home in second place, very close behind the winner, HBT, while the Senior Men's team had a great 3rd place behind winners Shettleston and second placed Ochils. Strength in depth was shown by our Senior Men's B team being the third Carnethy team to finsh and coming in a high 11th place (out of 111 teams), and was first B team. The Women's Over 50 team were probably the first female Over 50 team as well (but not an official class).
Despite it being a cold, windy and rainy day, spirits were not dampened and everyone enjoyed the day and the very tasty soup provided by Fife AC afterwards! Report
Results
All previous Carnethy results are here
Carnethy Teams:
3rd - Senior Men A: Michael Reid; Andy Fallas/Stewart Whitlie; Paul Faulkner; Iain Whiteside/Konrad Rawlik
7th - Men V40 (1st): Graham Nash; Jon Ascroft/Adrian Davis; Craig Mattocks; Matt Davis/Olly Stevenson
11th - Senior Men B: Matt Curry; Andrew Gilmore/Andrew Normand; Iain Gilmore; Euan Boyd/Steve Best
21st - Senior Women (2nd): Jessie Dahl; Jasmin Paris/Angela Mudge; Kate Jenkins; Lisa Gamble/Jacqui Higginbottom
22nd - Men V50 (1st): Gordon Cameron; Adam Ward/Steven Fallon; Harry Gilmore; Willie Gibson/Bob Waterhouse
24th - Men V40 B: Mike Lynch; Simon Titmuss/Neil Burnett; Bob Lyons; Joel Sylvester/Jason Hubert
59th - Senior Women B: Ruth Dooley; Joanne Anderson/Joan Wilson; Kate Crowe; Heather Munro/Mary Lye
70th - Senior Women C: Cat Meighan; Lorna Ascroft/Myvfanwy Fenton-May; Kathy Jervis; Helen Wise/Georgina McAllister
93rd - Women V50: Hilary Spenceley; Moira Stewart/Karen Meikle; Anne Nimmo; Cali Ingham/Margaret Forrest
108th - Men V50+: Colin Pritchard; Nick MacDonald/Andrew Shepherd; Bill Gauld; Brian Howie/Ian Nimmo
- 23rd January 2014
Burns Supper - Wed 22nd January
A wonderful of evening of Burns, beer, haggis, music, poems and pudding! I’m always astounded by the depth of talents that our members have, and last night was a fine showcase of their gifts. From music to cooking, through drinking and eating, it seems we have quite a skilled membership!
Some introductory music from Richard and Margaret kicked-off the night, and then our Master Of Ceremonies, Gordon, led us through the rest of the evening. Matt Jones piped-in the haggis for the address. I’ve always felt that the haggis has been sold-short with just one address, but thankfully Jane Robertson added a west-coast address, and then Willie followed with the classic address. Cat pitched-in with the Selkirk Grace and then we got stuck into the food! Haggis (meat and veggy) was in abundance, we had enough haggis, neeps and tatties for second helpings. Kindly pudding makers made the dessert, and what a selection we had!
Shane started the speeches with an excellent Immortal Memory, featuring a pop quiz at the end. Matt Davis toasted the lassies, with a theme likening Rabbie Burns to AC/DC, specifically where their interests cross – women! Lisa Gamble then replied to the toast, with a list of all the qualities shown by Carnethy men (the list wasn’t as damning as I initially thought, she’s obviously a new member).
Music followed, with Nigel Rose, Bill Gauld and Paul Ritchie. Graham Nash delivered a Burns poem, with actions, light kissing, moderate touching and…em…props! Andy Barnes was forced to follow, being told he had to deliver a poem for asking to come along to the supper 25mins before the start. Back to the music, an up and coming band called The New Sneakers (Bob and Fiona Mc). Jane and Mike played guitar and mandolin. Then the headline band, Fleetfoot Mac, sang us out with a couple of home-brewed, sing-along songs. Unfortunately, the band have split due to artistic differences, so look out for solo albums from Mary, Nick, Cat, Jane, Mike, and….cough…the rogue mandolin mime, Jim.
Many thanks to Nigel and Rachel for hosting! Thanks to everyone that came along and made it such a great night!
Jim
- 19th January 2014
Paul Faulkner wins Feel the Burns
…and comes away with an unfeasibly large haggis - prize winning itself, and other goodies. I don't know where the speedy V60s went today, but their loss was my gain, and I was quite surprised by my win in the category. The race is organised by Wonder Woman, who's secret identity I can reveal is Sheila Cochrane, who got over 30 marshals onto the hill, negotiated with farmers, persuaded Sainsbury's and many other sponsors to put up prizes, arranged local physios Physioplus to give some free therapy, and organised the wonderful haggis, neaps and tatties for possibly the best and healthiest post race food there is.
The race is to raise funds for the local mountain rescue team.
A good turnout of Carnethies, and some 170 ran on a wet course of just over 13 miles, but with improving weather, and some lovely views.The going was quite a bit faster than the first running of the race last year in firm snow. Results.
Digby
A couple of pics from Peter Dalgleish of Gala, thanks! And Allan Gebbie's Flickr album here.
- 17th January 2014
Wintervals
You know it’s going to be a tough session when everyone has their hands on their knees gasping for breath after the FIRST rep… Not everyone hated the 60 second sprints up the steep climb out of Hunter’s Bog, a certain winterval regular likened then to a fine Belgian chocolate truffle. We suspect the stresses of C5 organisation are getting to Olly…
A nice, bright night after the smallest full moon of 2014 last night, and we did 8mins tempo followed by 8x60secs, capped off by 5mins tempo…
Iain
- 16th January 2014
Penicuik Night Run
An excellent turnout considering the downpour that preceded. At 6:45 there was just me, then gradually another 17 appeared out of the rain, including Porty (he'll crack and join soon) Graham who ran from Straiton and just made it as we were setting off.
The loop followed the Esk with some diversions off the Eskapade route, before climbing to Penicuik House and a history lesson from Nick McD. A scramble up to the folly, then easier trails to the west side of Penicuik, some very muddy fields and a shortcut back into town. About a dozen then stayed on for Italian food. Thanks to everyone who came out, hope you enjoyed it.
Joel
- 16th January 2014
Spine Race - Matt wins second place!
Matt finished the Spine Race this morning at 7:49am, with a total time of 119hrs 28min. It appears from the GPS track that Matt chose to do the 'proper' Pennine Way route and take in the out and back to the top of The Cheviot. Third place Steve Holyoak finished at 8:07am. A quite stunning accomplishment. Well done to everyone involved.
Now, we must get ourselves some of those GPS trackers for club races.
- 14th January 2014
Spine Race (or Pennine Way non-stop in Winter!) - continued (see below for earlier updates)
Latest update from Matt Davis texted this morning "bivied in a transit van last night for 3hrs
whiteout from Knock Fell to gregs hut very challenging conditions path under 8" snow just starting to clear now on track down typical".
Matt is still in third place and is now just south of Alston - keep an eye on the GPS tracking (he's race number No. 21).
Update 9pm 14/1: Matt has caught 2nd placed Steve Holyoak and appears to be running alongside or near him as they approach Hadrians Wall going into their fourth night. Meanwhile 1st place Pavel Paloncy is about 12 hours ahead of them.
Update 8am 15/1: ...and they keep on going. The GPS suggests Matt has got some sleep at Haughton Green bothy, with Steve about 2-3 miles ahead. Hopefully they will be crossing the border sometime today.
Update 4:30pm 15/1: Pavel Paloncy is now motoring along a high, exposed part of the border, heading towards The Cheviot, from which its pretty much downhill to the finish. He would seem to have the race in the bag, and should finish this evening. Meanwhile Steve Holyoak and Matt Davis are crossing the remote moorland to the East of Kielder Forest, swapping 2nd and 3rd place as they occasionally stop to refuel and rest. The rest of the competitors are spread between Bellingham and Appleby-in-Westmorland. Is it too early to put Matt forward for the Scald Law Trophy?
Update 8:45pm 15/1: Matt hardly stopped at the checkpoint at Bryness and is now a clear second. He is now on the long, remote and very rough last section along the border towards the Cheviot. Hopefully he stopped for long enough to get enough food to get through the night. Meantime the leader Pavel Paloncy is on his way down the Cheviot (he has almost reached the Yethlom Fell Race course) and he should finish tonight .. well under 5 days !
Update 23:15 15/1: Pavel from the Czech Republic has just reached the finish at Kirk Yethlom ! Amazing performance. Matt is now storming along the border ridge - wonder what the weather is like up there at the moment? he should with any luck hang onto 2nd place, as is now well clear of Steve Holyoak in 3rd, and will finish sometime in the morning.
- 14th January 2014
Trigger race - Sun 12th Jan
The start of the year brings the annual trek to the peak district for the Trigger race. Starting in Marsden and finishing in Edale the route loosely follows the pennine way with variations to take in trig points on route.
Jasmin was first lady home in a fantastic 8th position after at least three of the top 6 (including our very own Konrad) decided the 20 mile race was too short and an extension was required (an early bid for the wooden spoon?). Konrad was home not long after and I also ran. Results here.
Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
Alex McVey
- 14th January 2014
Spine Race
The Montane Spine Race - essentially the entire Pennine way, non-stop, in winter - got under way on Saturday. 268 miles from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Borders. Matt Davis is in a great position, 7th place at the checkpoint 2 with a race time of 39h11m, from 46 still in the race and now possibly in 5th place judging by the GPS tracking. With bad weather conditions hitting, it looks like 30 odd have already(!) dropped out.
Update 4pm 13/1: Matt has moved up to fifth by CP2. The GPS tracking is totally gripping. Since then it looks like Matt has moved up to third place, with fourth and fifth close behind. Hard as nails.
Update 6pm 13/1:Matt is now in third place at checkpoint 3 in Middleton-in-Teesdale. Hopefully he'll get a good refuelling and maybe some rest before heading out into the night.
Update 10:30pm 13/1. Looks like Matt has moved up to second place, though positions may change as competitors stop for sleep, or just carry on through the night.
Update 9am 14/1: Pavel Paloncy continues to be about half a day ahead of second and third place. Both Steve Holyoak (2nd place currently) and Matt Davis (3rd through Dufton) appeared to stop and get some sleep earlier last night at the North end of Teesdale. Both were moving again around midnight. Steve arrived at Dufton about 2hrs ahead of Matt. The GPS tracker is compulsive viewing!
Update 12.15 14.01.14: bivied in a transit van last night fir 3hrs whiteout from knock fell to gregs hut very challenging conditiions path under 8" snow just starting to clear niw on track down typical"
Joel
- 13th January 2014
Tri-Trail Winter Series, Race 1 - Foxlake
This morning saw the first of the winter series of trail races from Tri-Trail - the Foxlake 14km event in East Lothian.
The venue for registration, the start and finish was Foxlake Adventures, Scotland's first wakeboarding park at Hedderwick Hill Stables. After the preliminaries we were off and given the temperature had dipped overnight, the initial section was covered with a layer of frost which made for tricky areas on rutted farm fields. A few groups had settled into positions by this point, including our own Nigel Sheckleton who was already establishing himself towards the head of the field. Within a mile or so, Prasad Prasad had already opened up a significant lead, which he was never to lose. I was further back but making my way through the field and the Hokas were holding up well, despite being on their last legs (a bit like me in fact).
For those familiar with that part of the world, it's a lovely area for trail running, with a bit of everything underfoot: beach, forest tracks, wooden boardwalks, tarmac, muddy fields and a bit of water. Here's Eric the Fox showing the terrain on a vimeo from last year: http://vimeo.com/63523935
It was a great morning out and well organised. Prasad Prasad won comfortably in 48:30 and his other half Elke was first lady in 55:28. Nigel Sheckleton was first Carnethy home in 54:33 for 6th position, I sneaked under the hour in 59:52 for 17th and Simon Johnston was 1:02:49.
Garmin upload of the route here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/428970198
Results are here: http://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=17242
More pictures from Bob Marshall here: https://picasaweb.google.com/113562417702657933373/TriTrailRaceFoxLake120114
Mike Lynch
- 13th January 2014
Borders XC - Paxton House
When the smoke is going straight up you know it's a nice day. Crisply cold with the mud at just the right state of plasticity. Carnethies leapt for joy at the prospect of the race, a short 3.4 mile series of loops around the grounds of Paxton House and along the Tweed. Andy Fallas took 2nd place. Helen took a random number. Reminder: don't lose your number. Provisional results here
Digby
- 13th January 2014
Junior / Senior Relay - Flotterstone
A great turnout for todays relay with lots of smiley faces throughout.
A fast run by Charlie Burnett (Junior Record), helped his team to a comfortable win. The Dunn/Nash team had a good run to finish second and Team Hartree were third, with Finlay the fastest Junior on the medium leg.
Thanks to Nick Macdonald for Marshaling on the hill
Posn Short Leg Medium Leg Long Leg Total 1 Charlie Burnett 13:17 Neil Burnett 24:46 Joel Sylvester 29:42 67:45 2 Andrew Nash
Jonnie Dunn19:04 Nicola Dunn 28:50 Graham Nash 30:35 78:32 3 Lauryn Hartree 18:42 Finlay Hartree (J) 29:06 Mark Hartree 33:32 81;20 4 Rosie Jones 20:21 Ellie Young (J) 32:09 Phil Young 33:50 86:20 5 Solomon Jones
Ronnie Jones
(with Mary)26:30 Neil Campbell 33:23 Matt Jones 33:59 93:52 7 Jenna McGowan 24:20 Michael Wilkinson 33:59 Al McGowan 40:55 99:34 6 Martha
Jess Shearer
Max Ryall
Rory Edwards30:30 Helen 34:27 Maggie Shearer 35:36 100:33
- 10th January 2014
Wintervals
First intervals session of 2014, and possibly the greatest turnout to date (we forgot to count how many).
- Warm-up jog to the dry dam
- A rep of 5mins, heading as far up to the summit as you can.
- 4 reps in total.
- Jog back to recover.
A big (sarcastic) thanks to the Bupa Winter 5k who closed the car park, and a big (genuine) thanks to the nice watchlady who let us park there anyway.
Jim and Iain
- 9th January 2014
Wed Night Fast(ish) Run - Wed 8th Jan
Last night was the first club run of 2014, and I was on a mission to shed some weight after Christmas, and perhaps lead the group round some paths they’ve not been to before. This went surprisingly well, as we managed to shed Lisa and Mhairi at Craiglockart Hill, and then Charlotte on the braids, so the group returned to KB around 30% smaller. As for new paths, I got lost twice, so I guess it was new to everyone! KB-Blackford-Craiglockarts-Braids-Blackford-KB, with a wee wade across the Braid Burn for fun. Gibson The Younger measured it to be around 9miles.
Jim Hardie
- 9th January 2014
January - Arthurs Seat Handicap Results
A very small field of only 4 runners this month.
Conditions were pretty diabolical from the comments. Extremely wet and slippy.
Some stats from 2013:Runner Actual Jan Fin Time Time Order Fin Order Cameron M 00:31:53 13:00:28 1 1 Tom Elviss 00:34:32 13:00:32 2 2 Neil McL 00:42:56 13:02:47 4 3 Eddie 00:38:27 13:04:10 3 4
Fastest time: Paul Faulkner 25:32 (New Course Record)
Most Handicaps: Cameron Murray / Rab Watson (10 each)
February handicap should be on the 3rd. Details of the handicaps are here
Mike Lamont
- 8th January 2014
12 Days of Christmas
All the best for the New Year. I hope Santa was good to you, because the weather certainly wasn't. I don't how many managed the 12 days but it was certainly a test of my own resolve at times. Following chats with Mr. Nash and so as not to take an unfair advantage of my geographic locations I thought I'd just it to make the challenge that bit more awkward for me so set a minimum elevation of what was acceptable for my hills. It was very nearly my undoing........(note to self; free thinking can be dangerous) However, with perseverance, bloody mindedness and a fair bit if cursing I finished them on Sunday night and have put them here to verse.
Get your entries in to secretary@carnethy.com and we'll pull them all together in a couple of weeks down at KB. It'll be interesting to see who's been putting it about where :-)
Ciao for now,
Matt
On the first day of Christmas my fell shoes sent to me
A Whernside in a Wharfedale vallee
On the second day of Christmas my fell shoes sent to me
Two Burnsall Bumps
and a Whernside in a Wharfedale vallee
On the third day of Christmas my fell shoes sent to me
Three Litton Legs
Two Burnsall Bumps
and a Whernside in a Wharfedale vallee
Four Ingleborough Spurs
Five Kingsdale Trigs
Six Broughtons a Bounding
Seven Cowgills a Charging
Eight Culters a Cantering
Nine Lowthers Loping
Ten Tweedsmuirs a Tramping
Eleven Beeftubs Bumbling
Twelve Manors Marching
Matt Davis
If you want Matt's full 12 Hills, download the pdf (about 7MB)
- 5th January 2014
Mark's 'wee' run
Mark & Sparky, Mark's neighbour (potential convert nb Willie), Mary & Matt, Sean and I set off from Morningside in the sunshine, meeting on the way Patricia & Gina, remarkably fortunate really as we didn't know they were coming and they were a bit late. After a few urban miles we passed the Stable bar (well it was a bit early) and headed to the hills, where the sun gave up and handed over to the cold north wind. Through our tears we made out other runners though we weren't entirely sure who; Bruce on some speedy epic, and another was definitely Joel who spent Capelaw with us before we encountered Korky - doomed to forever roam the Pentlands and speak of the legendary Moy‑ra.
'Tricia, Gina and neighbour had left us so the hardcore headed past Bonaly and followed the Circo route down to the Water of Leith and headed back via Colinton Dell (complete with stoical owl) to the Hartree Household where we were hosted to a magnificent feast of bacon or egg sandwiches, and a huge and wonderful cake - courtesy of budding junior masterchef Finlay. I fear the calories burned over the near 15 miles may have been eaten back a couple of times over.
Digby
- 4th January 2014
Junior run
Just the Joneses with some extra rellies for the first Junior Run of 2014. Our last minute notice prompted a flurry of festive excuses, with folk visiting grannies, going to the flicks, and skiing. Not. Jealous. At. All.
We bumped into Digby looking lean and mean in the car park as he set out on the Monday handicap route. He couldn’t be enticed to join in junior fun and games. No doubt he was afraid at being bested at tussock tig. If we had been quicker thinking, perhaps we could have re-enacted the Hunger Games. He would make challenging quarry. We could invent a new junior run game: the Maassacre.
Arthur’s Seat was particularly slippery today, but this didn’t deter our mud-fiends. Matt practised upping and downing with them in the dry dam, while I sherpa-ed my relatives to the summit. Digby was spotted hurtling around the hills. Hope to see some folk back for the next Junior Run in two weeks!
Mary
- 4th January 2014
Next Night Run
The next night run is on Wednesday 15th January and will be a mostly off-road circuit of Penicuik. Food afterwards at Little Italy. Details on the social page.
Joel
- 2nd January 2014
Charlotte first and James second at Greenmantle Dash
Excellent Carnethy results at the Greenmantle Dash. James Waldie finished 2nd behind Tom Owens (Shettleston), while Charlotte Morgan was first woman. Results. Pics from Charlie Ramsay
- 2nd January 2014
FRA championships 2014
British Championship routes 2014 (see FRA site):
29th March - S - Donard Challenge
7th June - L - Ennerdale Horseshoe
28th June - M - Dollar
30th August - M - Maesgwm Muddle
19th Oct - FRA Relays
Dallam Running Club and Howgill Harriers - no details yet
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