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New leaders in Club Championship after Durisdeer
  • 2nd July 2012
    Midsummer handicap
    Stevie Wonder once sang about it being hotter than July. Well, this year that isn't difficult. So far drier than June would be a good start but as it was the great summer of 2012 has led to a very verdant and supremely slippy handicap route. For once I got there in time, and spotted several runners heading off in several routes. Opting for the more gentle but more runnable route looks to have been a reasonable choice as those of us taking the diretissimo approach up the North Face struggled for grip. Except for the returning Mr Fallon who passed me just as the gradient eased off and soon drifted off into the mist of the Crags... read more and see the results
  • 1st July 2012
    European Masters Championship Bludenz
    The course was similar to that used in the World Masters in 2007 with 1.4 km of road starting in the town, then 2km of forest paths, 0.5km of road, and finally 4.5km of gravel road. An extra 1km dog leg at the start for spectators was thankfully not included this time. There was a new timing system www.bibchip.com which involved considerable fidding tying a chip in a bit of paper to running shoes. The British contingent was fairly exclusive with only Sue Ridley and myself from Scotland. It had been very hot since I arrived in Austria the preceeding Wednesday but clouded over with threats of thunder during the race.
    I found the race very competitive and had to slow down on the road after the start as I could not cope. I then passed all the runners who had passed me on the road when going through the forest and several more in the rest of the race. So I got 20th out of 29 in the vet 60 class. The vet 55s started with the vet 60s and I had the pleasure of passing the first two Lady vet55s in the last km. Tony Grabonov from Germany whom I have raced against for the last 31 years was two minutes ahead of me though I only saw him at the finish.
    The only noteworthy performances from GB were Sue Ridley second Lady vet 45 and Anne Buckley from Bingley and sometime HBT was fourth vet 45. I was also honorary photographer for four Irish runners. Results to follow
    John Blair-Fish
  • 30th June 2012
    Corrieyairack Challenge
    A few Carnethy folks headed north for the Corrieyairack Challenge this weekend. A 17 mile run from Fort Augustus over the Corrieyairack Pass to Garva Bridge followed by a 26miles cycle to Kincraig. Jane Jackson was a last minute replacement for a mixed team and Paul Faulkner, Andy Fallas any myself had entered as a team. I’ve done the event 3 times previously about 10 years earlier but the others were all Corrieyarick Virgins. Despite the dire weather forecasts in the days leading up to the weekend, the weather was pretty much perfect for the event. Cloudy and a couple of minor cooling showers on the run plus reasonable south\westerly breeze which made the cycle a bit easier. Jane had a superb event picking up the 1st Lady V40 prize after being leading lady overall at the end of the run section. If she switches from a mountain bike to a road bike next year I’m sure she could be challenging for top honours. Paul and Andy set the pace on the run section and were 1st and 2nd going into the transition. However, slightly more experienced Rob Brookes came out of the transition first and pulled away on the bike to make it a double after his win at Highland Cross the previous weekend. Paul and Andy both did well on the bike, finishing 2nd and 3rd overall a couple of minute behind Rob. Dan Whitehead and I finished 4th and 5th a couple of minutes further back. With the 3rd team person across the line to decide the team prize, Paul, Andy and I took the team honours and picked up some tasty Cairngorm Brewery beer. My 5th place was good enough for 1st V40/V50 and also managed to take 22mins off the V50 record to go with my V40 record set 10 years earlier. A great day out and we have decided we all need to work on our transitions for next year J. Thanks to all who sponsored us for the event with all the money raised going to a very worthwhile local charity,
    The Speyside Trust: http://www.badaguish.org/.
    Results and splits
    Stewart Whitlie
  • 30th June 2012
    Dollar Hill Race

    With almost 20% of the field the omens looked good even if the weather didn't ! Heavy showers before the start were ominious but fortunately the rain stopped just as the race started and it remained almost dry for the next 2 hours. Brutal first ascent split the field up but Carnethy was always in the front pack and won the team prize - John Hammond, Jon Ashcroft And Ross Creber - in his first hill race in Carnethy colours - wearing Willie's vest which has achieved its best result - perhaps Ross should keep it ! Charlotte was 2nd Lady and Gordon 2nd V50 - Results
    Gordon Cameron
  • 30th June 2012
    White Tops Wash Out – 29 June 2012
    The White Tops this year was a white out and it never stopped raining. It was the wettest 10k I’d run in my life and a canoe would have helped. However it didn’t stop 62 runners set off from Auchterhouse and head up the Sidlaws, loop round and back again. Brian Bonnyman (Westerlands) won the race by a large margin, setting a new course record (46:48). Jaqueline McIntyre (Carnegie) was first lady (58:21). The mist was low and although the route was very well marked two runners did get lost – they had obviously forgotten how good the home made soup and cakes galore that were waiting for them back in the village hall. Thank you to the caterers…the nosh made it a very sociable evening. Oh, and you’ll be pleased to know the final two runners did turn up J
    Results
    Kate Friend
  • 29th June 2012
    The Law Breaker
    9 Carnethies made the trip across the Forth for the Law Breaker, the 7th race in the Bog & Burn series. As it was a dreich night, I thought that the recent heavy rainfall would shrink the numbers, but a healthy field of 70 assembled at the start. Any rain that had threatened didn't materialise, but low cloud base of around 10m kept visibility to a minimum and the previous rain, along with some moist misty air, kept the rocky sections nice and slippy. Steven Fallon, Adrian Davies and Jon Ascroft showed the young guns of Andrew Gilmore, John Hammond and Ian Gilmore how it's done. Harry and I soon followed, before Dave Gibson powered home to complete the Carnethy set. A great race, but a bit too steep for those who can't climb very well (me) or are don't descend with confidence (me again!). Brian Marshall overturned his rivals on the descent to win for the blokes, Catriona Buchanan secured the ladies by a good margin. Results
    Jim Hardie
  • 28th June 2012
    Monthly Road Bikes Outing –a classic and litter free route = 24th June
    A hardy cohort of 4 braved recent monsoon conditions and met at KBU on Sunday morning. Joining Richard Bush and myself were Simon (I never got your surname, Simon- I'm guessing you are Simon Titmuss, but hereafter I shall refer to you as fast Simon) and another new face in Stewart somebody…..didn’t quite catch his second name either. But might have been Whitlie or something. Yikes. Whilst I tap out the miles most weekends, I don’t think there can ever be any disguising that I am a slightly over-nourished MAMIL* when I’m out on my bike. Others have immaculate bike racing pedigree and just look like the real deal.
    Anyway, off we went, enduring potholes and busy-ness through the city and onto the A7 before we peeled off onto the road to Carrington, Temple, Eddleston and over the Meldons. That’s more like it- barely a car and now largely smooth surfaces. Except for miles 28 to 29 (see where we went: ) where things got a bit improvised/cyclo cross/road-less round the back of Peebles. After dodging the rain in the welcoming and very bike friendly Whistle Stop Café in Innerleithen, we pressed on to complete the classic outing over the Granites road (the B709) between Innerleithen and the A7 just south of Gorebridge. If it was Bob and Ollie that shamed Borders Council into clearing up the roadside litter, then they deserve Blue Peter badges. I spotted 1 lonesome, discarded Tesco bag, 1 solitary abandoned lucozade bottle, 2 seagulls, no hen harriers and a spot height of 404metres (to prove that not all of my cyclo-babble is entirely ill informed) over its 15 miles.
    Man of the match award goes to fast Simon who seemed to be going faster and harder 70 miles into the day than at the start. The less-scarey-person-than-was-expected award to Stewart Whitlie who kindly avoided using the big ring on ascents and the cheerful in the face of adversity award to Richard Bush who departs Lands End for John O’Groats this weekend. Good luck Richard!
    *Middle Aged Man in Lycra
    Robin Haynes
  • 28th June 2012
    Lairig Ghru Sunday 24th June 2012
    It’s been 7 years since I last ran the Lairig Ghru and as I’d been training for a marathon – which I disappointingly didn’t run due to a cough – I thought let’s do it! We drove up early to Braemar where I bumped into nine other Carnethys (Andy, Olly, Adrian, Richard, Jacqui, Phil, Nigel, Brian, Michael) who were waiting on the start line. I made Derry Lodge before the cut off and headed up towards the Pools of Dee where the rain and cool head wind caught us all. My hands became numb but once out of the mist and wind I headed towards Rothiemurchus Forest where Des met me with a banana sandwich and a bottle of ginger beer. I felt great and the last haul along the road to the finish was solid. Dan Gay won in a time of 3:12:05. Morag McCracken (HBT) was 1st female (4:05:23) and Jacqui Higginbottom 3rd (1st F40 4:20:46) and I was 12th female (5:12:23). Many thanks to the organisers for the hot soup and home made cheese scones at the end. Much of the profit from the race went to the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue team who did a grand job looking out for us at the Pools of Dee.
    Kate Friend
    Video on Carnethy youtube page
    " an awesome source of pleasure, pain and satisfaction"

    At first the weather didn't look too bad, with light rain and a cool headwind as 132 runners headed off along the road to Mar Lodge. I felt pretty comfortable keeping a steady pace until the cold, deep Luibeg burn and up the first real climb to the Lairig Ghru proper.
    The view this year was marred by low cloud, but nevertheless it was still pretty spectacular. The ground here gets pretty rough, as we pass The Tailor's Stone where legend has it three tailors celebrating Hogmanay froze to death, reminding us of how inhospitable the place can be.
    The wet ground made running very tricky and slippy at this part, and it was even a relief to get to the climb up to Pools of Dee. By then the rain and the wind worsened at this point and I put on my waterproof and shiny new Carnethy buff, as I knew I'd slow down at the boulder field.
    The boulder field was extremely treacherous, sharp and slippy and I didn't find the best line through it all. The weather up here was the worse I'd evr encountered and I lost a lot of time and places including Kate who seemed to hop across the boulders effortlessly. I'm sure I saw the Big Grey Man of Ben MacDhui, but it might just have been the bloke in the kilt in the mist.
    At the other side the weather and ground improved, and I still felt pretty fresh. For me however it was a lonely run from the last check point at the entrnance to Rothiemurcus, not catching anyone until the last 1/2 mile. I was 10 minutes slower than last year, but given the conditions and lack of form, I was fairly happy.
    Thanks to Deeside Runners for the event, and Cairngorm Mountain Rescue for being there.
    Dan Gay HBT won the race.
    Carnethies.
    Andrew Fallas 3M, Richard Martin 12th ,Olly Stephenson 20th, Jacqui Higginbottom 37th 3F Phil Humphries 45th ,Kate Friend 94th, Nigel Fawthrop 98th Michael Nowicki 101st, Brian Howie 107th.
    Carnethy took the men's team prize.
    Brian Howie
    Pictures
    Results and report
  • 28th June 2012
    West Highland Way Race

    Saturday, 1 am Milngavie Train Station, and 172 runners start the West Highland Race 2012. The atmosphere and tension is great, all of us knowing that ahead lay 95miles and 14,760ft of ascent on one of Scotland’s greatest trails, the aim to get to Fort William by midday on Sunday . The light rain soon turned to a downpour with the trail becoming a river (or a waterfall climbing Conic Hill). The brief interludes from rain were replaced by clouds of midges. My support crew (wife Nicola, brother Paul and dad Mike) would meet me at the 5 required checkpoints en route and another 8 points on the way to refuel. I had intended to run through most of these refuelling on the move. The nonstop rain changed my plans. Each time I met them, I changed clothes and shoes. The nonstop wetness slowly turning the soles of my feet into trenchfoot. At Auchentyre 50 miles (10hrs 16mins) I was 30mins up on last years time and despite the conditions, going well. Bodyweight checked by the marshalls I headed to Tyndrum. A guy on a mountain bike travelling at speed on the narrow path attempted to knock me down, my delayed reactions avoided a premature end to my race. We exchanged our best swear words, me coming out on top. Settling back down to maintain the pattern of eating every half hour, sipping fluid, walking the uphills, running the flat and downhills. Focusing on just reaching the next checkpoint. At Glencoe I reached my first major lowpoint, vomiting Ambrosia Pudding, perhaps it was the soreness of my wet feet or the realisation I still had a marathon to cover. At Altnafeadh Paul joined me as support runner, and he would accompany me to the end. The section over to Kinlochleven is brutal, the path rough and steep and this year under several inches of water. At the medical centre they check my bodyweight, I start the last section. The climb out of Kinlochleven is tough and on reaching the track I start to tire. The lowpoints become more frequent and deeper. The last 10miles are hell, my left leg locks with my hamstrings and calf muscles simultaneously tightening. Running becomes impossible. For the next 3hours I battle with my mind telling me to stop, I want to lie down. Paul keeps me going. My body is starting to shut down, I can’t think straight. I keep asking “how far is it to go?” With 2 miles to go, I feel a toenail detach in my sock. The pain is incredible. Paul tells me anyone can put up with pain for half an hour – I keep going. Finally, I reach the Fort William Leisure Centre, touching the door, knowing its over. 22hours 23mins. I finish in 24th place. Its then I learn the course record was broken by Terry Conway (Ambleside ) on his first WHW Race in an astonishing 15hrs 39mins, 1hr 21mins ahead of second placed Paul Giblin. First lady was Rosie Bell (Strathaven) in 20hrs 15mins. There were 119 finishes with a high dropout rate of 53 runners. On Sunday there is a prize giving with every finisher presented with their hard earned Crystal Goblet. I hobble to collect mine.
    Provisional results here:
    SUMS Championship:
    Will I do it again? Probably.
    Graham Nash
  • 27th June 2012
    Andy Patience wins the Highland Perthshire Challenge - 16th June
    With Andy's sidekick Garry off to Bonn, he is obviously spending more time on his bike. After a few top 5 finishes in recent events Andy won the Highland Perthshire Challenge 100mile sprotive.
    Website Results
  • 26th June 2012
    Auf Wiedersehen, Garry!
    Long time Carnethy member, Garry MacInnes, has moved to Bonn in Germany for work, though plans to keep his membership so we should see him occasionally. Garry was one of the famous team that set, the still standing, Southern Upland Way Relay record for Carnethy in 1996 (in 27hrs 29mins) as well as running in many other relay teams and other races over the years. He won the Bog and Burn in 1997 (and got in the Hall of Fame for that!). Garry was also one of those rare people who managed to fool the handicapper twice as he won the handicap series in both 1995 and 1998!
    So good luck for the future, Garry, and keep in touch.
  • 25th June 2012
    Andy wins at Red Moss - Wed 20th June
    Andy Fallas had a great run to win the Red Moss Revolution race from Don Naylor (HBT) in a fast time of 35:56. This race is a counter in the Bog and Burn Series and is similar, but slightly longer, than our handicap the previous week. Full report here. Results soon.
  • 23rd June 2012
    Eildon 2 Hills race
    eildon 2 hills eildon 2 hills eildon 2 hills
    Everyone shot off at a tremendous pace in this short race, and it would be a sprint all the way to the two tops if it weren't so steep. As I started on the ascent of the 2nd hill Paul Faulkner was rattling his way down to the bottom of the scree but my lamentable new camera only managed a shot of my foot. Paul held onto the lead to the finish for the winners prize and cup, whilst Charlotte Morgan did the same for the ladies. Carnethy took the team prize with Paul, Ronnie Gallagher (who also won the M50) and Andrew Gilmore. Karen Meikle won the F50. I thought I'd picked the right race to pot chase, with a low chance of the nemeses turning up, and I was right in that. What I hadn't counted on was the complete and incomprehensible lack of a M60 prize. All that effort for nothing. I set about trying to eat my way through the cake equivalent of a prize of 3 bottles of beer or a bottle of wine, and feel I may have succeeded. Results
    Digby
  • 21st June 2012
    Pub 'n' Chips Summer Stagger - Wed 20th June
    Well, Fraser (aka Gibson Junior) was going to write a report on this, but nothing's appeared yet, so I'll have a go...
     
    It was an epic this year, with the highest number of Carnethies ever on a Pub 'n' Chips run.  There were significant differences between the estimates from the police and the organisers, however attendance is believed to have peaked at around 30...fortunately below the threshold to trigger a Morningside kettling... 
    Anyway, most of us gathered at KB, where the first turn-up of the evening was the arrival of three Lady Ga-Gas in pink wigs.  Fortunately for the vegetarians present, meat frocks were not considered the most practical running attire.  And even with a 7:15pm start Matt still managed to be late, screeching in on two wheels as we all set off up Blackford Hill. 
    The usual route through the Astley Ainslie was closed, so two alternative routes (a side entrance...or a hop over a wall!) were used to find our way through to the Merlin.  The beer was a Caledonian special I can't remember the name of, and the official standing of the run was increased as we collected El Presidente, Monsignor Treasurer and our Distinguished Former Secretary.
    Gordon popped down to Stefano's to get them started on large-scale chip-cooking duties, then we made our way to Bennet's, for an excellent round of Kelburn's Goldihops.  The very friendly staff even changed the barrel for us as we fed and rehydrated outside. 
    A quick skip round the corner took us to the Waiting Room for some Tyneside Blondes.  The barman was slightly bemused, and with me being unsure of our numbers, combined with the lack of an abacus behind the bar, we ended up with a couple of extra halves.  Before we got too worried about who would drink them, we remembered we had Willie (aka Gibson Senior), which meant they evaporated tout, and indeed, suite.
    Crossing the road, we avoided both the oncoming traffic, and the Morning Glory, and took in some cultural history, at the site of Edinburgh's last hanging of two highwaymen.  Who'd have thunk it?  Pubs!  Chips!!  Culture!?  ...and History!?! 
    Still, the lure of Pimms seemed to be distracting people and the traditionalists in the group braved the midges on the Buckstone Terrace, whilst the softer ones amongst us hid indoors nursing our Deuchars IPA.
    There were no such problems (either midges or Pimms) on the summit of Braids, just a lovely evening as the light started to drift.  We managed our usual bash across the golf course without attracting too much ire from the lovable rogues hacking their way round, and tootled through Mortonhall woods to the Stables Bar.  Midges drove everyone indoors, and into the arms of Stewart's 80"...as the evening got darker, so did the beer. 
    Leaving two Gibsons and a CaliBob in situ (they may still be there now?), our feet took us back by Liberton Tower to KB for the official finish...and then on for the semi-(un)official end at Leslie's.  Foolishly we tried in vain to find out what Dr Matt had done his PhD on - the general consensus was the little studied field of "Grove-orrhoids"...
    And that's where I left them...contentedly have a braw blether and toying with where to head for their next beer!
    So, all of that, and no mention of Jimbob's explanation of how he managed to get out of his wetsuit at the triathlon...and for the sake of decency, let's keep it that way...
    Thanks to everyone for coming along - hope you all enjoyed it!. Neil's photos here. Ali Hogg's album here
    Oz
  • 21st June 2012
    The Solstice Triathlon - Tues 19th June
    solstice tri solstice tri
    The Solstice Tri is a triathlon in our very own Pentland Hills [indeed we came across the swim practice at the Red Moss handicap], expertly organised by the Pentland Triathletes. The race consists of a 750m outdoor swim in Threipmuir, then a 15km cycle through the Pentlands, and finally a 5k run round Harlaw reservoir.  I’ve been injured for a while, but still swimming once a week, and I’ve also cycled a bike twice this year - so I figured I’d be in good condition for the race.  We were blessed with some fantastic weather, warm with light wind, so it was a perfect night for it. 
    The "deep water" (waist deep) start in Threipmuir was hectic - I'm not a great swimmer, so I tried to hang back to avoid the stramash but even at the back it was still a frantic affair.  Arms and legs everywhere, zero visibility, bumping into people in neoprene outfits, struggling for breath and gulping-in water – it’s like being waterboarded, in some kind of weird fetish club.  Thankfully the field thinned a bit and I managed to get into a sort of rhythm, but still people were ploughing past me, and occasionally over me, and I continued to randomly veer-off and batter into other swimmers.  After what felt like hours of swimming through the murky brown gloom, I made it back to shore.  Halleluiah! Only an embarrassing few minutes of trying to get out of a wetsuit to go before the cycle leg. 
    The bike section started next to Threipmuir, up the road to Bavelaw Castle, through Green Cleugh to the Howe, down the road to Glencorse, up Maiden's Cleugh then back to Threipmuir via Harlaw.  Cramp was a real problem throughout - my calves don't seem to like swimming then cycling.  My fairly light cyclocross bike paid dividends for the cycle, as it was light for the climbs and had good gearing for the roads, but my perineum suffered greatly without suspension when heading over the rough ground of Green Cleugh.  I also managed to avoid the fisherman at Loganlea who was reported to be going ballistic and angrily waving sticks at people - when I passed he was merely furious.  
    A quick clockwise run round Harlaw to finish, with a bit extra thrown in to make 5k.  At last!  Something where you can just switch off and just do it - something familiar, with no gears or fear of drowning.  Bliss. The run was fairly straightforward, but I still managed to faceplant when running through some puddles.  Go me!  
    Ultimately I was just glad to make it round without drowning, and I was surprised to see that despite some bad swimming I managed to recover enough to finish 9th out of the 75 competitors. The burger van at the end was an added bonus, the midges were not.  A great wee race, and on our doorstep too.  Results here, some photos here (I would’ve worn the Carnethy cycle top – but the Size M I bought is like a corset on me). Big thanks to the organiser for a great race, and to the marshals for kindly holding gates open.
    Jim Hardie
  • 17th June 2012
    7 Hills of Edinburgh Race
    team 7 hills team prize 7 hills Gordon
    On a drizzly day and with wet underfoot conditions after 3 days of heavy rain, Stuart Whitlie stormed home to win the V50, in 4th place overall, with Gordon taking 3rd Over 50. Carnethy won the team prize with runners Stuart, John Hammond (13th) and Olly Stephenson (20th). Bill won the V70. The race was won by Michael Reid (Moorfoots) in 1:44:22 from Ray Ward (HBT), 1:47:02.
    23 Carnethies ran in the field of 153 and 10 took part in the challenge. Results
    All Time Fastest Runs
  • 16th June 2012
    Durisdeer hill race
    durisdeer durisdeer durisdeer durisdeer
    The omens were not good as the Pentlands were covered in mist down to the road but fortunately at Durisdeer the tops were clear and the torrential rain held off until the race had finished. I soon gave up chasing JBF and concentrated on not plunging headlong into various ravines. The ascents are reasonable but the descents and some of the traverses are vertiginous on the course which covers some 9.39 miles and 3,600ft of ascent. As the race was a Carnethy and Scottish championship there was a large turnout (and not just of midges), sadly not including Andy Lennie who arrived 10mins after the start and settled for driving to all the road crossings and cheering us on. Still he was probably more fortunate than the 3 runners who headed off towards Selkirk at some point and were being retrieved by mountain rescue as we tucked into the feast of cake. Prasad Prasad was the overall winner; Stuart Whitlie won the M50 and for the ladies Jasmin was in 3rd place. The usual wonky photos here, full report including organiser's report, and results here
    Digby
  • 15th June 2012
    June Arthur's Seat handicap
    A smaller than usual turnout, various post-race excuses for poor times and no-shows. Those that turned up then set off at random times (myself included, although I blame the US as they made my Garmin and then hid all the satellites).
    Paul set off at fair lick - passing me before we'd got up onto the crags proper,he continued to stream past runners all the way to the finish, just failing to catch Cameron at the finish. Cameron, knocking again on the sub-30 minute door set off slightly early but even so was still the statistical winner. Russell though set off late, but still managed to record a time within his handicap, on a day when the going was far from fast (that's my excuse anyway). Gordon and I both managed to maintain our full house of runs for the year, but that's the best that can be said about my run, both of us were outran by Digby despite his 3rd race in 3 days. Good to see Jamie back too, for a quick sprint effort prior to his WHW race in a couple of weeks time.
    Well done to Cameron, that'll be his handicap cut for the 2nd of July. Results
    Bruce
  • 14th June 2012
    Red Moss handicap, or a good run straightened
    redmoss redmoss
    We arrived at the Bavelaw carpark expecting a rural idyll and found a hubbub of wetsuited triathlon training, and a most unusual lack of parking space. Race headquarters was nevertheless set up next to a cunningly concealed dog poo covered in stones, a modest cairn that gradually became displaced over the course of the event. In fact the entire car park appears to be ringed with biological weapons. A testament to the long drive no doubt.
    The theme was Olympian - the slowest runner to carry the torch and pass it to the person overtaking; and the person arriving at the finish with the torch gets to… er… put it on the table. Not sure of the outcome of that!
    Lots of us took part and the course is very attractive - some photos on Google photos. Keith being injured decided to test out the course as a potential cycle handicap add-on, and proved an irresistible target on the final ascent for Willy, with an (un)helpful hand on the saddle. Quite a few of us headed rather straighter across the heather from the summit, (see map above) prompting some vigorous protest, but it seemed the natural line, so we don't care! Oz decided to follow the original route that went up West Kip and Scald Law, but the new route was better for getting people back in time for afters at Dantes restaurant in Colinton. The midges having replaced the triathletes, a rapid exit was made by all. Results
    Series results after 3 races    . Next race at Broughton
    Digby
  • 14th June 2012
    5 peaks, Alice Lake Provincial Park, Squamish BC (9th June)
    squamish
    My plans to attempt at least one race a month this year were complicated somewhat by my acceptance of a 3 month posting to Vancouver. However, being something of a mecca for outdoor activities of every sort, it wasn’t too difficult to find some suitable candidates. Having completed the Vancouver Sun Run back in April, with around 40,000 runners one of the largest 10k races in the world, In June I turned my attention to something off the beaten path. 
    ‘5 Peaks’ is a series of trail runs in various locations across Canada, with the races in British Columbia being within a couple of hours drive of Vancouver. I took part in the run at Alice Lake Provincial Park, located between the granite walls of Squamish, a world class rock climbing destination, and the ski slopes of Whistler. Hill running as we know it here doesn’t really happen in Canada, as the hills and mountains are still heavily forested ( I imagine it looks much as Scotland would have done a few thousand years ago ) and well above munro height, holding metres of snow into the late summer months. Trail running however has taken off in a big way, with many forest trails maintained to an impeccably high standard. The 5 peaks enduro run follows such a network of trails for 11km and 350m of ascent among the forest giants that surround Alice Lake. The ascent is largely concentrated in the last 2km and precedes a fast downhill finish, faster should you find yourself exiting pursued by a bear, though thankfully that was not the case on this occasion. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area. The race that is, not running from bears. http://www.5peaks.com/ Image courtesy of Helen Spencer http://www.flickr.com/photos/linkyart/
    Andrew Marshall
  • 13th June 2012
    Carnethy success at Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon - Sat/Sun 9th/10th June
    Ben Cruachan was the scene of the 2012 Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon last weekend. It was a lovely hot sunny day for the Saturday, with cloud on the tops for the Sunday. Club Captains, Andy Fallas and Helen Bonsor, definitely led from the front as they won the A class outright - a superb performance on a very tough course. Mick James won the D class with a 15 year old son of a friend, who must have dragged Mick round! Ana Perez and Kathy Jervis were 1st women in the D class. Jasmin Paris, running with her brother came very close to winning the B, only losing after a navigational error (not the first to lose like this!). Another Carnethy pair, John Mitchell and Angus Davidson were 3rd in the Score overnight, but had a bit of a disastrous 2nd day! Spanish members, Ana Perez and Ramon Garcia got married on the Friday morning in Spain - Congratuations to you both! - then flew to Scotland and spent their honeymoon running with different partners in the LAMM (Ana with Kathy as mentioned above, won the female D, Ramon ran the B with a Spanish friend). Results and details
    Report page including Andy & Helen's
    A control on the Score class The impressive Cruachan Dam where the C and D Classes started (at a height of 400m above sea level) Kathy Jervis and newly married Ana Perez mark their map in the D class The remote mid camp in Glen Kinglass
    "I was running with my brother Vaclav (who arrived from Philadelphia at around the time the location was announced on Thursday) in the B class. Given Vaclav’s complete lack of fell racing experience, the plan was to have a pleasant, non-competitive weekend on the hills. True to plan, Saturday was exactly that; a morning bagpipe roll-call followed by sunshine, a cracking day’s running, and a Munro (Stob Coir an Albannaich) into the bargain. To our surprise, we finished Day 1 in 4th place, just 6 minutes behind the leading team. The following morning was absolutely still, and the racing atmosphere of the 6am chasing starts was somewhat obscured by the intense desire to run – direction not important – in order to escape the clouds of biting midges. A lucky route choice up the first 500m climb of the day brought us to checkpoint 1 just ahead of the overnight leaders and we pushed on with heightened morale. Full of running, I navigated us through the next checkpoints with surprising success, and we reached the halfway checkpoint (4) in good spirits. From there it was just an easy descent into the col before contouring the mountain….
    If only it had been the right col…. 40 minutes later we were again level with checkpoint 4, and clearly providing an unexpected and welcome sight for the chasing teams B11 and B12! Still, it was fun trying to catch up the teams in front, and we finished in 5th place overall. Thanks to Andy Spenceley and Angela Mudge for their organisation, and well done to all Carnethies that took part, particularly Helen Bonsor and Andy Fallas for their first place in the A class."
    Jasmin Paris
    Also Alec Erskine was running in the C-Class with Ian Hamilton of Cosmics.  A good first day left them in 5th (partly due to an extremely sneaky traverse across the steep face of Ben Eunaich) but fatigue kicked in on the second day and they lost 3 places to end up in 8th (4th veterans).  Possibly doing all the training on the previous Wednesday and Thursday (munro-bashing in Torridon) might have been ill-advised.
     It was a good weekend but the midges were excruciating!
    Alec
  • 10th June 2012
    Dechmont Law 10k trail race
    dechmont dechmont
    Yesterday's sunshine deserted us and it was a misty cool setting for the race. The course is actually quite nice, looping around parkland and through lovely pine woods. In spite of, or maybe because of yesterday's exertions at Traprain both Michael Nowicki and I, the Carnethy massive, had good fast runs with Michael near the front of the pack. I thought my pot chasing plan had worked but an unfeasibly tiny and fast M60 runner beat me by a mile. As you could neither eat nor drink the prizes I didn't mind so much, particularly as we all got goody bags (quite rare these days!), bananas and cake on finishing, and a rather nice hand made (I think) ceramic medal. Chloe-of-the-Mon-Arthur's-Seat-lunchtime-runners put in another storming run to get 1st lady's prize. Results (pdf)
    Digby Maass
    Sunday and day 2 of racing, am I mad? Well yes, I just love running. Again I take my family to another race, this time nice short train journey to Livingstone. My legs felt slightly stiff after previous days race at Traprain, we got there in plenty of time as I needed to warm up good. Again question mark was how will I feel? To my astonishment I saw Digby!! I thought fantastic!! Also Phil Humpries was there with his clan. The start gun went and again we were off! I started off all guns blazing, Phil overtook me at about 3 mile mark, he was going strong. The route was very interesting with many twists and turns and many small inclines. I stuck to a nice fast pace and I was joined by a Portobello runner Steven who beat me in a sprint to the line. I finish a respectable 19th out of 138 runners, so I'm very happy with that and a time of 44 minutes. Not an easy route, but great organisation. Phil came in at 13th at 42.45 and Digby came 41st at 47.41. Great results lads!! Also in Portobello RC had their club champs at their race, good to see them and well done. A hugely successfull weekend done and dusted, next Durisdeer and Seven Hills.
    Michael Nowicki
  • 9th June 2012
    Traprain Law race
    traprain traprain traprain traprain traprain
    We were spared a repeat of last years deluge but the recent rain led to the iconic river wade being ruled out and a detour via the bridge added 0.6m to the distance. Lots of Carnethy vests though the large turnout was not really reflected in the results. Leading lady Charlotte tumbled on the descent and badly bruised her knee, giving herself a dead leg that forced her retirement and gave the win to HBT. Adam and John R withdrew, we know not why. I fell over as usual. Gordon clinched a prize as did Bob W, and Michael's wee boy got to sit in a fire engine as East Linton celebrated the annual gala of which this race forms a part. Results - the turnout of 90 finishers was the largest ever (beating the previous record of 77 in 2009). More photos here
    Digby Maass
    After last year’s deluge we enjoyed an excellent brief weather window this time with warm sunshine.  However, the previous night’s rain on the hills had created a characteristic River Tyne surge overnight of over a half metre’s depth increase on the previous afternoon’s already high level.  The murky brown torrent at the early morning pitch inspection led to a reluctant decision to abort the river crossing. It was even too deep to immerse the old and well-used race depth gauge (KB).  
    A record 93 starters made for congested progress along the raging brown torrent.  Beyond the normal river entry point, the dunk diversion took runners to the Hailes footbridge and a backtrack along the road to re-join the steep climb to Kippielaw.  From Kippielaw, the field margins to the quarry were heavy going through the long grass.  The rock outcrops on the east ridge seem to get longer each year due to soil erosion.  Here, the restored rustic municipal gas-pipe fence protecting the quarry edge did little to enhance the otherwise imposing east ridge.  
    This year, Exmoor ponies replaced sheep on the Law, with copious piles of steaming Exmoor excrement along the race line.  Was this the reason for the unusually luxuriant vegetation?  There was one heavy tumble on the descent (an over-exuberant overtaking move?) - but no serious damage.  One clearly delirious competitor ignored three large arrows on the ground marking TURN RIGHT and turned left for Haddington. 
    The family Gala Day operations on the field were well attended compared with last year’s rain washout.  Thanks to all our helpers, without whom the race would not happen: Fiona, Anne, Jane, Therese, Barbel, Barry, Jon, Nick, Chris, Stuart, plus our community coppers Gavin and Kevin on their assault mountain bikes.
    Keith Burns
    My first hill race since my big run. Question - how will I feel racing fast? For me it was all about seeing everyone and having a great weekend with the family. Myself, Monika and Greg arrived nice and early. We met Keith and Barry the start official, had some banter going with fellow Carnethies also. Time for race start, the horn went and here we go!! The first mile I really struggled and was over taken by many folk, after that I got into a relatively good pace coming into Traprain Law itself. The climb was short but steep and seeing Nick Mcdonald with his camera was good. Then the down hill and stretch home to the finish felt really good, I managed to go all out and answered my question how the legs would feel. They felt good. I arrived at the finish happy with my time of 54 minutes. Great admiration to Keith & Trevor for organising such a good event and with it my family really enjoyed themselves especially Greg. Also great seeing everyone. We headed to Edinburgh as quick as possible as there was sunday to think about, Dechmont Trail race.
    Michael Nowicki
    More excellent race photos from Bob Marshal here and from Sandy Wallace here. Thanks guys!
  • 7th June 2012
    Wed Training - 7 hills recce
    7 hills part recce
    This was our run last night. See Mike's recce course on the Garmin site here for the whole route.
    Digby

  • 6th June 2012
    Carnethy (almost) sweeps the board at Yetholm
    There was more of a social feel to this year’s Yetholm race after last year’s Scottish Championship frenzy. The course once again run in an anti-clockwise direction and a good field of 89 starters. Apart from a stiff breeze it was favourable running conditions as the field made its way over the undulating west side of what in many ways amounts to a mini Pentland skyline. Once over the big climb of The Curr, it was a bit of a boggy crossing to the east side, but once you hit the Pennine Way it is fantastic high level running all the way home. I almost closed the gap on Welsh winner Hugh Aggleton during one final kick in the ridge at White Law but in the end had to settle for my second second in two days. Jill Mykura went one better winning the ladies event for the fourth time since 2005. The Gilmore clan were out in full force and helped Carnethy snatch the male team prize by one point from NFR, while the Carnethy ladies won their team prize by a more comfortable 8 points. Results here http://www.norhamrc.co.uk/yethrres12.pdf
    Paul Faulkner
  • 5th June 2012
    Hard luck at the Hardmoors
    matt's light sutton bank
    Friday evening saw a small bunch at this low key event set off from Helmsley on the Cleveland Way for the 110 version of the Hardmoors. Lisa was supporting me on this and would be meeting me every so often with refreshments, all a bit of a contrast to my outing the week before. I would have preferred another week recovery,  but it was what it was. Conditions were more o' less perfect with just a slight breeze once we reached the edge of the moor. Most of the route itself is on good hard packed trail & fairly obvious route finding (think WHW) so I didn't need to navigate with map to Osmotherly from where I new my way along the moors and settled at my own speed eventually coming back to some of the keen early runners in my own time.
    It was just as it was getting dark I had my bit of excitement for the evening when having connected up my light & battery and put it back in my pack I was going along wondering where a burning smell was coming from, not unsurprisingly I though it might be the chemical plants at Middlesborough lighting up the night just a stone's throw away. But no, it was actually me. taking off my pack I could see a yellow flame where the battery/lamp unit connection was melting a hole in my pack. I got it off and out. Luckily I had a spare and made do to the next support point where I could get my backup Hope head light. I'm still surprised by it all and I'll be getting in touch with Silva to discuss it further.
    The rest of the night went by without further drama managing to catch some time back on the people in front as some of the path are a little rougher & have a few small climbs. However, it all seemed to start unravelling with day break as I reached suburbia and the more frequent Tarmac sections. By the time I came into Saltburn I was starting to get some gyp from my knee. I decided to give it another 10 miles or so see which way things went. But as I progressed the sharp pain got worse especially on the downhill sections. So coming into Staithes I decided to abandon before I did some real damage given I still had 40+ to go. Not too disappointed, as it was still good miles under the belt and a fun night out. Now time for a couple of weeks R&R.
    There were a couple of relay teams (of which Lucy C was part of one). You could tell who these were by the speed at which they breezed by you. Final results not up yet.
    Matt Davis
    P.S.Having been in touch with Silva UK about the lamp incident. They told me the fault was identified on early LX models and subsequnelyt fixed on v2. Occasionally they get ones in for it. Anyhow they have replaced my old light with the latest comparable version X-Trail Plus. So very pleased and looking forward to trying it out.

  • 5th June 2012
    Ennerdale Horseshoe
     ennerdale ennerdale ennerdale ennerdale
    On a weekend of numerous Scottish hill races, we headed south to the Ennerdale Horseshoe Fell Race as part of the Lakeland Long Classic series. The midges at the wooded start-line provided an extra-incentive to be off as we waited for starter’s orders for this 23 mile race (7500ft climb) around the Ennerdale valley. Toiling up the first climb of the day (Great Bourne) we were quickly rewarded with a cracking view which was to stay with us for the remainder of the race. A brief descent followed, and then a long gentle pull up to Red Pike, at which point the sudden heavy feeling in my legs made it very clear that the Jura’s Paps of last week had left their mark. With the help of some jelly babies and the subsequent distraction of classic lake district rock hopping (something I enjoy immensely), the outlook improved, and I joined a couple of runners who stayed with me through the checkpoints of Black Beck Tarn, Green Gable, Kirk Fell and Pillar. The short scree and scramble sections were little compared to last weekend, and there was the happiness of running in big mountains, in sunshine and a light breeze, accompanied by shouts of encouragement from walkers and marshals at every stage. From Pillar it was an undulating ridge run along grassy paths, taking in Haycock, Iron Crag and the final ‘sting in the tail’ of Crag Fell. From there a steep descent through forest to the Scout Camp, to finish in 4 hours 24 mins, in 16th overall and 1st lady. Overall winner was Rees Finlay-Robinson in 3 hours 50 mins. Post-race swimming (Ennerdale Water), cake and tea provided a fitting end to a very enjoyable and highly recommended day out.
    Jasmi Paris
    While Jasmin had a jolly, I, courtesy of an unfortunate mis-step on Jura, had to make do with support duties. After watching everyone set off, I made my own way up into the hills, but with no one to follow, I promptly set off up the wrong ridge getting into a bit of a panic that I wouldn't reach the race route in time. Once in the right place however all seemed fine as I just made it to see the race leader come past. Plenty of time to get all ready fo... Jasmin approaches... jelly babies at the ready... but why do I only have orange ones... too late now, quick take a photo... water? you want water? ehrm wait I have somewhere... photo... gone... while she flies off for a cooling swim in the lake, my 15 seconds of contribution done, the long plod back remains.
    Konrad Rawlik
    Results will appear here (pdf)
  • 3 June 2012
    Gargunnock hill race
    gargunnock gargunnock gargunnock
    Gargunnock was one of 11 hill races available in Scotland between this weekend and Wednesday, and 3 Carnethies decided to give it a go. Mike Lynch and Adrian Davies, both retirees at last week's Jura Race, and Matthew Jones took on the 7.5km/300m hill in fine conditions. The route had been altered slightly this year and winner Lewis Millar (Central AC) posted a time of 30.38, which edged under Prasad Prasad's record of 2008. Whether this is ratified as a new record remains to be seen. 
    The race, part of Gargunnock Agricultural Show, starts and finishes in the Show Field, and follows a circular route of approximately 7.5 km on a mixture of terrain, with a total climb of 300 metres, offering spectacular views across the Carse of Stirling to the Callander hills and beyond.
    From the start Lewis Millar was almost out of sight and Adrian Davies did well to keep the gap to 2nd place to 3 minutes at the finish, with Alex Milne, also of Central AC taking third. Mike Lynch was 11th in 38.13 and Matthew Jones 14th in 39.03.
    A decent goodie bag, juice and cake afterwards made for an enjoyable afternoon. Results
    Mike Lynch
  • 2nd June 2012
    Glas Tulaichean uphill race
    tulaichean tulaichean tulaichean
    3 Carnethies were in the field of 41, a palindromic improvement on the 14 of last year. Paul Faulkner came 2nd, JBF overtook me in the last steep mile and beat me to the top where for a change we could stand around and admire the considerable view from this 1000m+ hill. However we were both thrashed in the MV60 stakes by the new record holder, about 2 and 3 mins faster than us respectively. Chloë, of the Arthur's Seat Monday lunchtime runners, was first lady and very speedy indeed. Congratulation too to Jamie Andrew, the Scottish mountaineer who had his hands and feet amputated following an accident in the French Alps, running on prosthetic feet. No mean acheivement given the going. The course is virtually all on stony landrover track with a little bit on steep grass at the top, 4.4m and 2,200ft (7.11k and 668m). There are 4 crossings of the same burn and wet feet are inevitable. Warm at the start, we were undoubtedly glad of the compulsory warm clothing transported to the top, as the wind was cold and you jog back down, to a welcome of much cake and tea. I'm going to have to stop pot chasing and start cake avoiding, as self control is non existent. Results
    Digby
  • 31st May 2012
    Wed Training
    wed training map wed Arthur
    In the absence of Willy, Michael got to play Willy-for-the-day, and led the team to Arthur's Seat with only slight route dissent in the ranks. But the amorphous organism kept regrouping and successfully gained the misty summit for a snap - in spite of getting itself into the situation once again of having to climb the big gates out of the School at Craigmillar. Will we ever learn? No, of course not! The possibility of golfers still being active we took the Pollok Halls gate challenge which all successfully passed. Nick's trim figure slipping through with microns to spare. Returning to KB the eagerly anticipated pint was denied us as the bar had just shut. We did 7.4m (11.93k).
    Digby
  • 30th May 2012
    Andalucia MTB Training - 24th to 27th May
    mtb mtb
    Carnethy members Craig O'Donnell and Bob Johnson were flying the red and yellow colours of the club in Spain last week. They completed a 4-day training camp in the Andalucia region of southern Spain with the guiding company Pure Mountains. Craig, riding his hardtail MTB, showed considerable skill on the technical climbs and left all the full-suss riders in his wake on the downhills. Nice riding Craig.
    Bob showed dogged determination and limited skill on the trails but successfully consumed more calories than anyone else. Nice eating Bob.
    Bob Johnson
  • 29th May 2012
    Bob Graham Round
    bg round bg round bg round bg round bg round
    I've been meaning to go for another round (more info here) for years but never got around to it. Having seen the long range forecast the other weekend I decided to go for it last Saturday. Finally managing to put the injury niggles and unseasonably poor weather behind me. In some ways, it was always a win win. Do it and great, don't do it and it would be good training. This round was solo unsupported & there's a simplicity to the approach I like, in that you can just go when its right and you don't have the added complexities associated with having an entourage.
    Setting off at 01:00 a few minutes after a lad from I think Durham fell runners and the last of the Friday nighters I think, given we didn't see any more torch lights after us on leg 1 or people come by during the day. I'd expected light winds so having to run at 45 degrees into the wind to get off Skiddaw was a bit of a surprise and the strong winds on top stayed all the way along leg 2 till Fairfield making progress a lot harder work, with the short pull onto Lower Man being especially hard as I was knocked about all over. The compensation for this was of course the great views and blue skies for the rest of the day.
    The wind eased off a bit as the sun got higher making it a lot more pleasant over leg 3 and 4. Having been within a few minutes of each other from the start his group pulled away as I stopped at the stream before Rossett Crag to put sun screen on and sort myself out. From then on I was able to just able to make out his red shirt in the distance, the last time I spotted him was heading to the scree shoot to Wasdale. But it gave me a gauge as to how I was fairing. Having spent the day in my own little world coming onto Scafell pike was like being on Keswick high street and I couldn't wait to get off choosing the Lord's Rake option to get onto Scafell as it was in the shade and gave me a few minutes respite from the sun, it might not have been the quickest option but was welcome and you get to play Russian roulette with the perched boulders which surely will come down one day.
    Yewbarrow to Pillar was probably my low point as I seemed to lack a bit of energy but managed to eat and drink enough to turn it round by Kirkfell. As the evening started to draw in the wind returned and I got another battering on the Gables forcing me to dig out my jacket. At least now it was more of a side / tail wind. With time in hand I got over the leg 5 hills in daylight  only needing the headtorch to navigate the track through the woods back to Portinscale to finish at Moot hall at 23:17.
    It shows how popular attempts / rounds are when just after I finished 3 lads turned up on the off chance to see if anyone was coming in. Another passing couple kindly donated their doggy bag of chicken chow mein which together with some coke & chips I took back to my car to have my own celebratory feast before crashing out for a well earned rest.
    Here's my timings (xls). I never bothered with stopping or timings at the road crossings as they were immaterial to me as I knew I'd be using up time faffing and stopping adhoc to sort myself out.
    A highly recommended day in the hills & only 2hrs down the road. I'm sure I'll be back down some time for another go, whatever version it is.
    Matt Davis
  • 28th May 2012
    Edinburgh Marathon
    marathon marathon half marathon bob w
    A large contingent of Carnethy volunteers braved the lovely weather to marshal Edinburgh marathon. A grey start soon burnt off to leave wall to wall sunshine and conditions verging on hot. It's quite a sight to see the start with nearly 7000 runners with the excitement palpable. Slightly less inspiring is marshalling in the queues for the ineffable portaloos, but hey ho, it makes a valuable contribution to the club coffers. Some of us also assisted at the finish area in Musselburgh so witnessing the transformation of the starters into varying degrees of running wreckage. Looking very good though was Andy Lennie, pleased with a time of 3hr 34, and determined to beat 3hr 30 next time. Persevering to the finish was a battered Micheal Nowicki who suffered a foot injury after another runner trod on it, and who was still feeling the effects of his epic run. Congratulations to David Gibson who finished in 4:27:38. The Carnethy relay team had a setback on one of the legs but I have no further news at the moment.
    Digby
    andy lennie andy lennie
    Many thanks to all the Carnethy shouts along the route. I set off far too fast, a classic mistake but enjoying passing loads of people, something I don't usually do in Hill Races!, caught up with Micheal N. in Port Seton complete with bad toe and we ran a mile or so together before I thought I'd have a go at my sub 3:30 target. Saw Bob and Cali on Longniddry Bents which was a real boost and then my wife and 3 little nieces a wee bit further on. It was starting to get hot at this point!, with the loop around Gosforth House really scorchio, I was on target at 20mls ( 2:32:00) but started to wilt, so in order to look good for the photo's at the finish line I slowed down and "cruised" in at 3:34:20 ..... Great to see Nick, Gordon and Digby at the finish line. A really good day, but no more of this road nonsense, time to forget about pace and time and get back to the hills.
    Andy Lennie
    michael nowicki
    I would like to say a huge thanks to all the Carnethies for the support along the route during the Edinburgh marathon. You guys are one amazing bunch of people. So glad to be part of the club. Also well done to all Carnethies at Jura and Edinburgh marathon. One hot weekend!!
    Michael Nowicki
  • 28th May 2012
    All round success for Carnethy at Jura in scorching conditions
    A brilliant set of results in Jura in both the mens and ladies this weekend. 17 Carnethies participated in this years Jura race in scorching temperatures, which made the final 3 miles of the race on the road torturous and a real test of determination.  Starting with the men, Andy Fallas lead the club home in hot competition to come 4th in 3.36:22 (the 3rd fastest Carnethy time ever); closely followed by a superb performance by Stewart Whitlie who not only finished 8th in 3.42:02 but also smashed Joss Naylors V50 record from 1988 by 6 mins.  Paul Faulkner, Jon Ascroft and Konrad Rawlik also finished strongly. Rob Jebb won overall, with Es Tresidder 2nd and Ben Bardsley 3rd.  In the ladies, Angela had a great run finishing 1st in 3.55:35, and Jasmin 2nd in 4.17:29.  Their 1,2 positions combined with Jacqui Higginbottom's run secured the ladies team prize for Carnethy.   Unfortunately, a few Carnethies suffered injuries on the day or effects of the heat and didn't complete the race. Despite this, a great weekend enjoyed by all.  It was great to see Joan Wilson out supporting Colin and other carnethy runners on the day, and already walking 3 miles without a limp on her knee following her injury at Stuc a Chroin earlier in the month.   
    Helen Bonsor
    Results: http://www.artxraykishorn.co.uk/juraaspnet/results.aspx
    Alltime list of sub 4 hour runs by Carnethy members here

    The plan this year again was to complete without being timed out otherwise this would be the last. The weather was fantastic and it was a real treat not to have to wear full body cover for the Feolin Ferry, cycle into the teeth of a gale, and put up a tent in squally showers. I knew when I started I'd not get a fast time due to the heat and by the time I got to Dubh Bheinn my tongue was sticking to the roof of my mouth. I had to take some water from the first lochan , which I've never had to do before. I'd pinched a half-pint disposable plastic tumbler from the pub for that purpose ( handy hint #1). I was within the old checkpoint times , which had generously been extended this year by about 10 minutes until the 2nd Pap. The climb up the 1st Pap was tough in the blazing sun even after a considerable amount of water from the burn , At the top I was exactly on the old time limit, so it was going to be tight. I scrambled down the other side reasonably well, even on the bit that is not quite loose enough for scree running. Paths are meant for going up, not coming down (( handy hint #2). Another tough climb up Pap 2 and I was still on target, even though the timeout was back to previous years. I was by this point getting very dehydrated and couldn't eat. However I had a stroke of luck and found the elusive spring on the descent and gulped down over a pint of water and a Bounty Bar. I think this saved me from dropping out. The ascent of Pap 3 is fairly straight forward and I was up to the summit a couple of minutes inside inside the limit. I could see about 3 runners ahead on the way down, but by then I was sure I was the back marker. I found a reasonable descent on scree and grass with the usual boulders to cross but at the bottom I was forced to stop to empty my shoes of gravel, losing sight of the group ahead. I took more water at the last lochan before going up Corra Bheinn taking the longer easier way on the grassy slope. By this time I was feeling a bit hot and tired ,but was at the checkpoint on time. The run down to the Corran river was reasonably easy going and less boggy than usual. More water was taken and I crossed up onto the boggy path, which by then had been churned up by about 200 pairs of studs. I made a slight mistake and ended up on the wrong path for a bit, but got to Three Arch Bridge in time. I was confirmed as last runner. I took some lucozade and headed along the road as fast as I could , but the hot afternoon sun and the change of stride was kicking in. The distillery chinmey wasn't getting close very fast but I finally made it over the finish line a good 7 1/2 hours after I'd started. I must have looked rough since one of the helpers offered me a seat in the shade , lots of water and sandwiches. However I recovered pretty quickly , but badly sunburned even with factor 30 sun cream. It was good to see so many Carnethies out and a lot more Scottish runners than usual. Will I be back next year ? Who knows? There's a short video of the start here:- raynetjura.blogspot.co.uk
    Brian Howie
  • 26th May 2012
    Cairnpapple Hill race
    cairnpapple cairnpapple cairnpapple
    4 Carnethies took part in this not very hilly hill race, at the unlikely venue of the Bathgate highland games. Actually finding out information from the woeful games website was harder than the running, and at least two runners missed registration. As the large lads tossed cabers, and the pipe bands made stirring music the rest of us hared off in the brilliant sunshine, mostly on road with a final short section up the said hill. It is very nearly a 10k at 9.69 (6 miles), with a climb of 208m (680ft) on easy gradients. It was worth waiting for the prize giving as I came away with a remarkably generous prize for 1st M60, and Mary Lye was considerably surprised, and absolutely delighted with her first ever prize for, we think, 1st F35. Sorry Mary, very remiss of me not to get a pic of you on the podium - we will have to keep an eye on the Bathgate Times for the official one! Results (xls)
    Digby
  • 26th May 2012
    Sam's last run - Wed training
    sams last run
  • 23rd May 2012
    Cateran Trail Ultramarathon - Sat 19th May
    The start Phil Humphries Graham Nash The last hill Post race Beer!
    This was the 4th race in this years Scottish Ultra-marathon Series (SUMS). It is a 55-mile multi-terrain race following old drovers’ paths on a circular route through Glenshee, past Forter Castle, Kirkton of Glenisla, Alyth and Blairgowrie, where it turns North through Strathardle to Enockdhu and finally heads back to the Start/Finish point on the A93 at Spittal of Glenshee Hotel. The weather was perfect for long distance hill running – dry, cool and mainly overcast with the occasional glimmer of sun. The route is fantastic with an ever-changing mixture of paths, bog, forest, road and plenty of ups/downs, twists and turns, with the last leg a 4 mile uphill across remote terrain followed by a fast 2 mile downhill to the finish. The race was won by Matt Williamson in 8:09 hours with only 10 mins separating the top 3 places making for an exciting finish with the lead changing hands several times. Two Carnethies completed the race: Graham Nash 9:39 (13th overall) and Phil Humphries 9:26 (10th overall) – both beating their finish times from the previous year! This year only 54 finished the race out of 65 starters, which was an unusually high drop-out rate with unfortunately one DNF due to a dog bite on route. But despite this there was a great party atmosphere at the finish with most runners and supporters staying in the hotel overnight, so there was plenty of beer and banter to help ease tired limbs. The race was as always very friendly and supremely well organised and marshalled. I thoroughly recommend the race as an alternative to the Highland Fling or why not just do both! Results and details
    Phil Humphries
  • 22nd May 2012
    Cape Wrath Marathon, Saturday 19th May
    Sally wins first Over 50
    Whilst others were on Arran or messing about in boats Sally and I were in Durness for our 11th Cape Wrath Marathon. It's a hilly (2500 ft plus) 26.2 miles on barely-surfaced roads out to the Cape Wrath lighthouse (the north-west tip of Scotland) and back, with a ferry ride at 22 miles just to let the muscles stiffen up. Sally had a storming run to finish 3rd female (and first FV50 by a big margin) in 4.04.47, 29th of 77 overall. I was not too far behind in 4.17.42. Another Carnethy vest was spotted as Steven and Sally Best ran the marathon as a 2-person relay to finish 4th. Steven's time of 1.17.53 was by some distance the fastest time for the 11 mile leg. Results are here (www.capewrathchallenge.co.uk).
    Ian Jackson
  • 22nd May 2012
    Bahir Dar City 10 km road race, northern Ethiopia

    My local road race through the streets of Bahir Dar. Not really hill racing, but we were running at close to 2000m. Despite starting at 8.00 in the morning, it was still boiling hot, and the pace went off fast. As you’d expect, there were some seriously talented men and women runners at the front (wearing mainly standard issue plastic sandals). This was my first race for a year coming back from injury so I was happy to run 37.45. As one of the few ferenjis to enter, I attracted quite a bit of attention and had some good banter with the crowds on the main street. I also did an interview for Ethiopia TV. Didn’t spot any other Carnethys, apologies if I missed anyone. See you August.
    Tim Darlow
    http://darlowsinethiopia.wordpress.com/
  • 20th May 2012
    Goatfell race
    goatfell goatfell goatfell goatfell goatfell
    Ok no jokes about goat fell and so did I, but it was a scraped, battered and bruised collection of runners that finished the race. Probably half left bits of themselves on the course, and 2 people needed stitches. Fine and warm at the start & finish, and cold with a little mist on the summit. The race was being filmed for the Adventure Show, with interviews including Konrad & Jasmin, so look out for the programme later in the year. Winner was Es Tresidder in 1:20:27, Konrad 9th and 1st Carnethy male in 1:28:59 and Jasmin 14th and 1st lady in 1:35:14, followed very closely by Bruce Smith then Jill Mykura 2nd lady. Carnethy won the team prize (with John Hammond; 2nd Carnethy male in 11th place) and yours truly 1st MV60, owing to the absence of various nemeses. After eating about a ton of cake kindly laid on by the race organisers, Konrad, Jasmin and I returned to walk up Goatfell, not out of masochism but to put out checkpoints for the Islands Peaks Race which started on Friday. The views from the top, now that there was time to savour them, were absolutely outstanding; the crenellated granite ridges and crests of the Arran mountains and views across to the isles and as far as the coast of Ireland. Then I fell over once again and reskinned both knees. More photos Results
    Digby
    john john john
    Good turn out of Carnethy runners for this years Goatfell race. Grim weather on Friday cleared to leave perfect hill running conditions for the race start. Dark Peak runner Es Tresidder won the race in a time of 1:20:27. First Carnethy home was Konrad in 9th. Jasmin was first female in 14th overall. I passed Konrad on the ascent when he seemed to be suffering with a calf problem. No doubt he would normally had beaten me to the top however he quickly passed me on the descent.
    Both Harry and Matt had warned me about the dangers of the Goatfell descent so I was particularly slow on the open hillside. I cleared the mountain rescue post in good form and started to speed up through the forest section but took a big fall at speed. Once I picked myself up and felt my head I realised that I was not in good shape as my hand was covered in blood from my head. 
    The famous Carnethy buff was quickly re assigned to be used as a make shift bandage! To those without, I would thoroughly advise adding one to your kit. I started running to get to some help but felt okay and sensing a good time was still possible I pushed on to the end and finished in 1:32:16 for 11th place. I was rather pleased to not actuallydrop any places after my tumble! The adventure show gave me a quick interview before a quick visit to the hospital for my head to be stapled and wounds patched up.
    Digby won MV60 prize and Konrad, myself, and Jasmin took the team prize for Carnethy. Unfortunately I missed the prize giving whilst at the hospital!
    Many thanks to the St. Andrews ambulance guys for the first aid and to Paul from the organising team for not only running me to the hospital but also collecting me so I could catch the ferry home.
    John Hammond
  • 19th May 2012
    Trans Vulcania Ultra Marathon, Palma, Carnary Islands
    Night time start Night time start Ramon at a drinks station Ana showing descending skill she'll need for the LAMM Ana finishing
    Our Spanish members, Ana Perez and Ramon Garcia-Catalan, are obviously in hard training for their next event, the LAMM back in Scotland as they competed in the Trans Vucania 12 Ultra Marathon on the Isle of Palma in the Canary Islands. The night time start looks fanastic and Ana has obviously been practising descending! Ramon ran the full 83km race and was 6th Over 40, while Ana finished 6th female in the 26km version.
  • 19th May 2012
    Scottish Islands Peaks Race
    Andy Fallas and Sam Hesling's boat heading out of Oban
    Message from Sam Hesling and Andy Fallas as his boat left Oban .."First run over, light winds heading out of Oban :) Andy and Sam 3rd team in, its going to be a close run race...".
    By Jura (arriving 4am Saturday morning) Andy and Sam were in the lead (on their boat Blue Chip), not far in front of the HBT pairing Don Naylor and Dan Gay.
    Full reports once the race finishes.
  • 17th May 2012
    Eddleston Handicap - Wed 16th May
    eddleston eddleston
    The second in the series. It looked unpromising but the leaden sky relented and by the end of the race it was quite a mellow evening. Last run 2 years ago; on that occasion there was a snowfall on the summit just as the race started so maybe the weather wasn't worse this time. A wide spread of runners mostly read the map correctly though Charlotte went haring off in the wrong direction on the descent, followed by one or two others. They would have benefited from a copy of Bill's meticulously compiled map that was almost 1:1 scale. Matt was fashionably late and Oz went... we know not where but he returned eventually. There should be a prize for the most exotic fall, which must be the forward roll and back onto the feet without a pause executed in the boggy bit of the lower field in the speediest part of the descent - though there would be stiff competition from Charlotte, who tripped herself up and went flying in the car park before the race, and Fraser who tripped over Gordon and went sprawling as he launched himself into the run. Another prize for the most inventive number - Patricia's 1026 - which was her handicap time and very easy to find and enter on the start list.
    First back and taking full advantage of his generous handicap after a bad run at Boghall, was Andy Spenceley - his first handicap win for 15 years (at Carlops in 1997) and only 3rd ever in the 24 years the handicap series has been held. Winning a handicap is obviously not a once in a blue moon phenomenon, it is much rarer than that - so take your chance when you can! Iain Gilmore finished in 2nd place soon after, with the fastest time being by John Hammond, just in front of Adam Ward, Steven Fallon and Andrew Gilmore. Euan Boyd has taken a narrow lead in the series after 2 races.
    Thanks to handicapper Phil, organiser Shane and finish timers Chris McLeod, Willie Gibson & Ronnie Gallagher, whose task is always harder when the handicapper gets it right! Good fun and food afterwards in the Tusitala.
    Results and Series Position (after 2 races)
    More pics
    Digby
  • 15th May 2012
    Cheshire Sandstone Trail Race
    sandstone trail race
    8:15 am on Saturday morning found me deep in rural England with 190 other runners on the start line for the Cheshire Sandstone Trail Race.  This is the second year of the race which runs for 33.3 miles from Whitchurch in Shropshire to Frodsham on the Mersey.  After a 3 mile warm up along a canal the course traverses some pleasant rolling farmland, although less pleasant where the numerous cows and 4 days of rain had turned the fields into a sticky swamp.   However the majority of the race follows a sandstone escarpment with good runable sandy trails, woods, forests and views to Wales in the west or the Pennines in the east with plenty of undulations giving a total of  3,700 foot of climbing.  After about 26 miles I ended up running on my own for several miles with only the odd cow, squirrels and the cheerful drinks station helpers for company.   I reached the finish after 5 hours 39 minutes in 16th position and first Scottish runner to finish (and only one to start actually), although rather overshadowed by the winner’s 4:10, a new course record.  Definitely worth doing if you are in the area.
    Phil Young
  • 13th May 2012
    Michael leaves Peebles on last leg of run and completes his run at The Royal Edinburgh Hospital

    A big crowd turned out at The Royal Edinburgh Hospital to see Michael and the entourage he had gathered en route from Peebles make a big finish. Well done - what is next?
    All Michael's stage reports now in - here
    michael run
    Many congratulations to Michael on a fantastic effort. A group of us gave him a rousing sending off on last leg from Peebles and many joined him on the route to Edinbugh
    Gordon
  • May 13th 2012
    Carnethy Women win at British Champs at Slieve Bearnagh!
    mournes mournes
    A week after dominating at Stuc a'Chroin, Angela Mudge won the women's race (and Over 40s) and led the Carnethy team to victory at the second round of the British Championship, which was held in Northern Ireland on Saturday 12th.
    " The route over Slieve Meelbeg, Slieve Bearnagh, and Slieve Meelmore with 2800 feet of climb and used in previous championship races was extended with a run back from the sheep pen start back to race registration at Meelmore lodge.
    It was reckonned this added eight minutes to the winning male time but the race was still classified as a short. The ground climbing Slieve Meelbeg and at the end of the race was very wet from recent rain. Joe Symonds (Kendal) won the men's race maintaining his Salamon sponsorship wearing shoes resoled by Lancashire Sports Repairs. Carnethy male finishers were Andy Fallas 20th, John Blair-Fish 101th and 6th Vet 60, and Colin Ledlie 106th.
    Angela won the Ladies race and the team of Angela, Charlotte Morgan 8th, and Helen Bonsor 11th won the team price. Other female finishers were Hazel Sutherland 15th and Joanne Anderson 19th.
    Wendy Dodds (Clayton-le-Moors) first vet 60 finished an impressive 13th with a time bettered by only two male vet 60s.
    The small fields for the two races of 117 in the male race and 31 in the female race did not do justice to the challenge of the course."
    John Blair-Fish
    Results
  • 13th May 2012
    Loch Leven Half Marathon
    Just for a change I ran the Loch Leven Half Marathon – is that allowed for a hill runner? Very well organized these road runs and when you pay 18 quid to enter I can see the justification. The views of the Lomond and surrounding hills were very pretty to look at as over 450 runners ran around Loch Leven, and the three water stops were welcome on this hot day. I was joined by fellow Carnethies Karen Meikle and Pam Whitlie and we all finished within a couple of minutes of each other. Karen (1:45:48), Pam (1:46:59) and me (1:47:23). Results here. Guess it’s all a bit insignificant really after what Michael Nowicki has just achieved! Many congratulations Michael finishing your epic adventure ;-)
    Kate Friend
  • 13th May 2012
    Ben Lomond hill race
    lomond lomond lomond lomond lomond lomond mike
    Won by Kenny Richmond of Shettleston in 1:10:38 with Carnethies James Waldie 5th and Andrew Gilmore 28th taking 1st & 2nd places for male under 23. Steven MacInnes of Carnethy was 8th and Adam Anderson 16th. Gregor Heron & Bruce Smith in 30th & 33rd. 14 male Carnethies ran, but no ladies.
    We were lucky in having a weather window on Saturday with lovely warm sunshine down at Rowardennan, and the snow on the tops from the day before largely melted. Knowing it would be cold on top made clothing choices a bit awkward and the heat below changed radically near the summit as a very cold shower blew in with the brisk wind. It's mostly a runnable course with reasonable gradients throughout - though speed can be your undoing as Mike demonstrated with some nasty gravel rash. I had the terrifying vision of Joan's Frankenstein knee in view for most of the descent, and with my own knee complaining was forced to take the steeper grass & peat slowly giving 2 Carnethies the chance to fly past, as did Westy Murdo Macleod who went on to beat me by 2 mins and take the M60 prize. I'd have got 2nd prize if it had existed (as it did last year); an omission I shall campaign tirelessly to have remedied. Results   Mike's album   More photos
    Digby
  • 13th May 2012
    Penicuik 10k
    penicuik 10k penicuik 10k
    A glorious day and not doing Ben Lomond so thought I should do Penicuik 10k since we were one of the sponsors ( Stuart & Stuart ).  Having checked last years results and seeing no Carnethies running for the club I entered as U/A.
    Then I met Brian Howie and Phil Humphries both of whom were running for road clubs so I had clearly done the correct thing. 208 entries - a record field on a hilly road course to Howgate and back via Wellington School. Lots of well kent faces including Kate and Craig who were both 3rd. I was ambitiously aiming for a sub 40 but I hadn't done a road race since 2005 and my best 10k was 39.48 at Balmoral in 2004(ish). I managed to find a pair of road shoes in my filing cabinet at work!  Serious hill at 1k meant I was behind time for the next 7 but the views of the Pentlands and Carnethy spurred me on and there is a great descent back into Penicuik so I made up time and got to 9k in 35.45. Couple of uphills in the final k but I finished much to my delight with a PB of 39.34 in 16th place - just behind Phil who I chased for 4k but couldn't overtake. A great race with a fab range of cakes back at the High School.
    Gordon
  • 11th May 2012
    Michael Nowicki heading north as planned...
    Travelled down to the Borders today and caught up with Michael about 6 miles south of Jedburgh, to say he was surpised to see a Carnethy top was an understatement! He was in good spirits and just full of energy and strength for the task ahead. Over Sutra hill he was running through snow and hail!
    In my minds eye I saw a man running with vehicle support crew and loads of back up, in reality he was on his own on the road with a 20kg back_pack with all his worldly goods. I couldn't run with him, travelled down via motorbike, but managed to see him 3 times and safely into Jedburgh. He sees running like this as a 'lifestyle' change! Truly amazing, sorry I can't be there when he finishes.
    Andy Lennie
  • 10th May 2012
    Wednesday Training
    wed training
    Encouraged by thoughts of bluebells and summery weather, neither of which materialised (though it was quite a nice evening), we set off for Colinton Dell. At Redford Bank road (?) Willy posed the unusual question - "anyone know where we are?". As no-one did, we turned left, which was a good choice. Colinton Dell was delightful, green and echoing with birdsong. Cody tried to drink the river dry, and I was tempted to follow, being excruciatingly thirsty. We emerged at Slateford Rd and transferred to the canal path for a spell, then up the very steep slope behind Craiglockhart Sport Centre, famed for Bill's 'ice axe' ascents using two screwdrivers. Avoiding the golf course and its late golfers we ascended the south face of the quarry by the arete, greeting climbers along the way. Not Mary's first choice of route! And so to beer.
    Digby
  • 8th May 2012
    Great Lakeland 3 Day
    This is a lovely event (details), back after a few years and now organised by Shane Ohly (OMM winner, Dragons Back organiser). Wonderfully low key, we were given a map pre marked with the controls and allowed to start when ever we liked. This meant I got to see the fast boys come past me, since they elected to start later, and it was remarkable not so much how fast they are, but how relentless they move.
    First day started in Langdale, went over Blisco, Dow Crag, along the ridge above Coniston, Caw, down through Ulpha, involved an argument with a farmer over access (three cheers for the Scottish Outdoor Access Code), out way, way south across trackless moorland to Black Combe and then north to Dalegarth. 30 miles and 2500m ascent.
    Day two took us over a pass to Wasdale, then the haute route from Styhead, Angle Tarn to High Raise, Steel Fell, across to Grisedale Tarn. Snowing in May. I elected to miss St Sunday Crag, and took a long cut down Grisedale to Patterdale. Then over Thresthwaite to Troutbeck. About 32 miles, 2500m ascent. I was wasted at the end, my legs were so gone I face planted trying to climb off a gate and I was struggling to step down from the Portaloo.
    I spent Sunday evening pondering how I could most easily get back to Langdale. Lacking the imagination to figure out an alternative, Monday brought me to Caudale Moor, Red Screes, Dove Crag, Fairfield and finally over Blea Rig to return to Langdale. Its amazing the effect a good feed and 12 hours rest can do, I felt strong and powered the ascents and made like a proper fell runner coming off Fairfield and Blea Rig. I even got a nod from one of the old timer fell runners for picking a "good line". High praise! 19 miles and 2100m ascent.
    I was surprised to be the only Carnethy taking part in the Great Lakeland 3 Day, especially with the presence of eight Cosmics who'd driven down from Aberdeen. I think they were disappointed by the level of the Scottish competition. I guess there's a lot of events on just now., but I thoroughly recommend this one.
    Joel Sylvester
  • 7th May 2012
    Arthur's Seat Mayday holiday handicap
    With plenty of folk using the may bank holiday as an excuse to get out of the city the hardier (of the 'fool' variety) amongst us partook of a fine afternoons handicapping.
    Not being here didn't stop Colin posting another fine time on Friday lunchtime but in the heat of the battle today Digby was a runaway winner (literally as he was first off). His time even knocked a full second off his March 2011 pb so a well deserved victory for him from Gordon. Gordon's 33:07 time getting back towards his better form from earlier in the year, although Digby managed to outwit him this time his handicap is still looking a tad generous, which might make him worth a flutter in the June handicap. RichardB was next man home, despite, or perhaps thanks to the Highland Fling the weekend before he managed to nip inside the one o'clock gun.
    Rab and I might also have done if we had started on time, Rab zoomed past me on the way up the crags and then even had the audacity to get to the top of Arthurs before Allister and myself. This despite us both having gone straight up the gutted haddie and Rab going up and over Nether first. I managed to reel in Rab on the descent just before the road crossing and then found myself being chased for the rest of the run for the cheek of it.
    All of this helped spur me on to pass Mark coming off the Haggis knowe crags. Sadly the pre-prepared excuses of Allister and me of having had a hard race at Stuc a Chroin were trumped by Rab's 2:07 run in the Ed-North Berwick race, which just makes it look like we were out for a short training run.
    Of course if Rab and I had turned up on time it might have meant a closer race with Richard, but at least we had each other to race against, unlike Russell who was chasing his own shadow after starting off about 8 minutes late, so he did pretty well to get so close to his handicap.

    Next race may well be on the 4th of June - but if there's too many folk taking advantage of the very long weekend we might reschedule. Results
     Bruce
  • 7th May 2012
    Carnethy in the prizes at Stuc a’Chroin - Saturday 5th May
    26 Carnethy runners finished in the field of 168 in this 24th edition of the Stuc a'Chroin race. Angela Mudge was first woman (and 1st Over 40 woman) in 7th overall; Stewart Whitlie 3rd overall and 1st Over 40 man; Jacqui Higginbottom was 2nd Over 40 woman and Carnethy easily won the first team prize with Stewart Whitlie, Steve MacInnes (6th), Angela Mudge (7th) and Adrian Davis (11th).

    "Brilliant views and perfect weather conditions for this (my favourite) hill race.  Many Carnethy women turned up for this tough race of 14 miles & 5000ft of ascent. Angela Mudge held her title and Prasad Prasad (winning man) was so far in front on the return that I missed him, he was already heading down Glen Ample. Angela M, Jacqui H, Joanne A, Joan W, Lucy H, Lorna A and myself were all flying the Carnethy flag for the girls. Sadly, Joan (who was having a stormer of a run and on for a PB) took a bad fall in the forest before the track home and gashed her knee open. You'll be glad to hear she’s now home after a night with the NHS! Get better soon Joan :-) ".
    Results here
    Kate Friend
    Had a nice race at Stuc a Chroin on Saturday. As it was my first long run for ages and it was so nice I took my camera too to force myself from overdoing it.
    Pictures (not all of them in focus I have to admit)
    Bruce Smith
  • 6th May 2012
    The Whisky Chaser
    whisky 1 2 3 4 5 route
    Clearic, Tormore, Tobermory, Glen Garioch, Bunnahabhain. Some amazing whiskies (and one pre-whisky fresh off the still) on a beautiful evening run, with food in the steading. Report. Lots of pictures on the Carnethy Facebook page.
  • 6th may 2012
    Black Rock 5 - 4th May
    black rock
    With all the serious hill races going on at this time of year this race makes a nice change and is something a little different. I think the race is a little under the five miles suggested in the name and starts and finishes in Kinghorn with a wee run along some streets, over the sand and around the rock and back again. The course is flat and fast with the exception of the finish which is straight up a very steep street so at least we had one hill to contend with. Depending on tides it can get somewhat wet around the rock though this year you could pretty much run on sand or an inch or two or water so no swimming was involved!
    The weather was cold but clear and made for great running conditions, so over 700 runners lined up at the start of which 10 were Carnethy runners. I somehow managed to be race number 5 for the Black Rock 5 - kind of cool! Jim Hardie was in his first race after an injury enforced rest and he shot off from the start and I pretty much didn't see him again until after the finish where he was first Carnethy home in 64th place with 29:09. Jane Jackson also shot off and I was trying my hardest to keep her in sight on the way out to the rock. The sand was very rippled so wasn't that great to run on, or at least that's my excuse and I'm going to stick to it as I was struggling to move at any real pace on the outward leg. Things picked up a little for me on the way back as my legs finally woke up (perhaps my pre-race pint kicked in?) and I started reeling folk in who probably overdid the first half. Jane was still in my sights and I finally got past her on the long steady climb up from the beach, probably no more that half a mile to the end and I was always expecting her to glide past me again before the end but more by luck than design that never happened. My favorite bit of the race was the final hill for one main reason; an HBT guy had just about caught up with me at the bottom and two HBTs who had finished shouted to him "you've got him" which was all the extra I needed to sprint up the hill and hold my position, not something that normally happens to me :o) A bottle of Williams beer awaited all finishers and more was available for two pounds a pint in the pub after.
    Jane had a great run and won the FV35 category in 30:14 and 94th place overall, much kudos and beer to her. The race was won by Kris Berry from Corstorphine AAC in 23:02 with club mate Micky Breen second 27 seconds behind him with the hosting club HBTs Don Naylor third.
    There were some travel woes due to signalling problems on the train line which spoiled things a bit but it was still a great laugh so if you find yourself at a loose end on a Friday night next May it's worth the trip over.
    Andy Millard
    Low tide on 4th May heralded the annual 4.5 mile dash from Kinghorn, across the beach, around the Black Rocks and back up the steep road to the finishing post. Bananas and beer were administered to all runners.
    Despite train signalling problems, and ScotRail's bewildering travel updates, there was a good turn out from Carnethy. Jim Hardie, Andy Millard, Jane Jackson, Matthew Jones, Lindsay Sugden, Jim McWhinnie, Philippa Ivison, Dave Gibson and Mandy Calder all ran, probably with more speed and efficiency than the Fife Circle line. This year's winner was Kris Berry of Corstorphine AAC with 23.02, and Jane Jackson took fastest F35 with 30.14 (congratulations!).
    Mary Lye
  • 29th April 2012
    The Fellsman

    While most fellrunners flocking to the Yorkshire Dales this weekend were there for the fast and furious 3 Peaks race, a small bunch of us
    - well actually some 450 odd - made their way to Ingleton for the more sedate stroll that is the Fellsman. The Fellsman starts off with two of the 3 Peaks - Ingleborough and Whernside - before continuing on a horseshoe over the high moors to Great Whernside and eventually, after some 61 miles, the finish at Threshfield in Wharfedale.
    Very much to my surprise I found myself leading the event for most of the first 20 miles or so, after everyone else in the lead group had stopped at the first road checkpoint for some biscuits after only 1h on the move. Eventually however Jez Bragg, who had set the current record last year, caught up and pulled ahead, although it was fairly clear that the strong and chilling north-easterly headwind meant that no new record would be set this year. I then settled down in a pair with a friend of mine for the rest of the day and we plodded along nicely, swapping places within the chasing pack which comprised positions two till seven. Despite the hard going due to wind, we unexpectedly were making better progress than I had last year and were having a very nice day, making full use of the excellent catering provided at the regular road checkpoints. We eventually finished together in 11:31 as joined 3rd - me beating my previous time by 40 minutes and my friend taking over the fastest novice trophy which I had won last year. Not unexpectedly, Jez won in a time of 11:02 and Nicky Spinks defended her ladies title. Full results should appearhere
    in the near future.
    However, while we then had the pleasure of a warm shower, being provided with more food than even we could eat and eventually a lie down, conditions on the fells were not improving and with increasing numbers of runners arriving at the checkpoints with hypothermia the event was abandoned at 2am. It is a testament to the excellent organisation, that although a majority of competitors was still out on the course - even in good years the average finishing time is about 20hrs - everyone was soon brought home safely.
    While I had assumed I was the only Carnethy running, it now transpires Matt Davis got a late entry and also finished in a time of just under 15 hours.
    Konrad Rawlik
  • 4th May 2012
    Carnethy Road Cyclists April Outing
    6 braved a grotty morning of strong north easterly winds and rain to make the rendez-vouz at Kings Buildings on Sunday. All seemed to be persuaded by my idea of going into the wind on the way out in order to be blown back, so we headed off out of the city. Barely 2 miles out and I had become rather concerned that all I could hear whilst pedalling up Kirk Brae was Harry Gilmore freewheeling behind me. How does that work? Anyway, we pressed on through Dalkeith and climbed out on the old A68 into the wind. Jane Robertson seemed determined to deviate back onto the bypass, but we re-grouped and headed off on blissfully quiet back roads through East Lothian to Gifford. From there it was to Haddington, a climb up to the Garleton hills and then the payback began as we hoisted spinnakers and were blown swiftly home with the strengthening wind. Other participants were Henry Cruikshank, who also seems to worryingly untroubled by hills, new attendee Derek Bearhop who was showing off his new super comfy sit up and beg bike and Professor Brian Cox whose preparations for a forthcoming Lands End to John o’Groats endeavour meant he had nipped out for a swift 20miles before the 9.15 start. Next outing Sunday May 27th - Whit. Whit?
    Here is the route – 48 miles return to Kings Buildings.
    Robin Haynes.
  • 1st May 2012
    Hoka Highland Fling Ultra - 28th April
    highland fling
    A 53 mile multi-terrain ultra run along the West Highland Way from Milngavie to Tyndrumhttp://www.highlandflingrace.org
    There was a great turnout of nine Carnethies for this year’s Highland Fling Ultra in pretty much perfect conditions. I’d been looking at the weather forecast since the previous weekend and it was amazingly accurate, and lucky, that with the hideous preceding week of showers and wind that we had sun, no wind and coolish temperatures for the entire route.
    I started for the first mile or two with Nigel then after about five or so miles started running with Ian King and non-Carnethy Colin Meek which was great as Ian had a plan for pacing to get round in about 11 hours which would have done me just fine. Ian’s knee was being somewhat troublesome and it slowed him on the way up Conic so me and Colin went on ahead. It was great to see Murdo marshalling at Balmaha, tempting to stop for a wee chat but managed to get going pretty quickly! I ran with Colin for pretty much the rest of the route, he was great at dragging me along when I was beginning to get cramping twinges on and off for the last twenty miles!  At Inversnaid I found Ian Frost sitting in the sun, having a wee rest before the rough top half of the loch side. By that time I was having trouble trying to eat and as it was getting a little warmer I was getting through quite a bit more water than earlier in the race. 
    It helped when I was getting tired just to look at the views on the way along the route, simply stunning. Stopping at the top of Loch Lomond at Dario’s post for a couple of minutes to look back down the loch was very worthwhile and it gave me a bonus rest! 
    First of the Carnethies home was Richard Bell in 9:33 with Graham Nash also beating the ten hour mark with 9:42. At the sharp end Scott Bradley from Carnegie was first home in an astonishing 7:23, beating the Hoka team member Ludo Pommeret by ten minutes. In the womans race however the Hoka team were victorious with Emma Rocca finishing in 8:23 with a ten minute lead over Sharon Trimble from Garscube. 
    Gregor had a great run to get round in 10:16 though he has the official time of 11:16 as he wanted to run with Steven who he’d been training with.  Steven was starting with the young boys at 8am instead of the 7am us aging MV40s had to start at so Gregor’s first official hour involved standing around at Milngavie! Shame his time couldn’t have been adjusted accordingly but at least from the results it looks like I actually beat him for once... 
    I managed to get round in under 10 hours 30 which came as a bit of a surprise to me with all nine starting Carnethies making it to the end with 362 finishers in total. Soup, rolls, a bottle of bubbly and Wiliams beers (very nice too) awaited us at the end of the race, a very pleasant experience. I was extra lucky that my wife had pitched our tent and stocked it with beer about 70 metres away from the finish line, result!
    The Carnethy teams managed to come in 5th, 7th and 13th though I think it should have been 4th, 9th and 13th had there not been any differences between Carnethy Hill Running Club and Carnethy Hill Runners!
    The race is well organised, has a great atmosphere and is just fantastic fun, many thanks to John and the rest or the organisers and marshals for making this such a great event and I highly recommend it to anyone who fancies a longish race.
    The Carnethy runners completing the course were Richard Bell, Graham Nash, Andy Millard, Steven Yule, Alan Colley, Gregor Heron, Ian, Nigel Fawthrop and Ian Frost. Results
    Andy Millard
  • 30th April 2012
    Petrofac 15 Mile Multi-Terrain Challenge, Balmoral
    petrofac petrofac petrofac petrofac
    I was in the Aboyne area at the weekend, so I fancied this new event, organised by RunBalmoral and sponsored by Petrofac.
    Starting and finishing on the road adjacent to the cricket pitch the route follows the banks of the River Dee before climbing through the Balmoral Estate to Glen Gelder. It was billed at a 15 mile race (and there were mile markers to prove it!) but my Garmin indicated a shade under this. There were wonderful views of a snow-capped Lochnagar throughout, with the route itself being a tough mixture of hard-packed mud trails, rough rocky trail, soft mud and forest fern. There was a relative amount of shade throughout the Balmoral forest, but also an exposed open moorland section before descending through a pine forest back to the river Dee. The amount of climb was not to be underestimated too, with 1,020 feet, according to my Garmin. Indeed, at mile 14 we had a nasty sting in the tail, where, instead of a fast descent to the finish, the marshals directed us upwards through a steep forest track, with deep mud, before the relief of the final descent.
    I noticed a few familiar faces at the start including Robbie Simpson (Deeside), Murray Strain and Kate Jenkins (HBT), so clearly there was some interest in the winning prize of a road race trip to Ethiopia for the winning male and female. Second prize, two trips to Ethiopia?
    As for the race itself, Scottish internationals Robbie Simpson and Morgan Windram-Geddes (Fife AC) earned their trips with winning performances. Robbie was followed all the way by East of Scotland cross country champion Murray Strain, but eventually, at around the 11 mile mark, the 20 year-old Deeside athlete began to open a lead which he extended to 36 seconds by the end. Robbie finished strongly, posting an impressive time of 1:21:11sec for what is undoubtedly a testing course. Strain wasn't far behind in 1:21:46sec, while Oleg Chepelin (Shettleston Harriers) finished third in 1:26:24. American-born Windram-Geddes, who is based in Dundee, will be accompanying Simpson to Ethiopia after winning the women's race in 1:37:44. World over-50 age group 10,000m and 3,000m record holder Fiona Matheson (Falkirk Victoria Harriers) was runner-up in 1:39:37 while Great Britain orienteering international Tessa Hill (HBT) was third in 1:40:36.
    As for me? I think I was the sole Carnethy runner (at least I didn't spot any other vests) and began fairly strongly on the easier first half, at sub 7 minute miles, before feeling it a bit around mile 10, where the London Marathon legs were coming back to haunt me. Alan Smith of Deeside passed me at this point, on his way to winning first Super Veteran, with a pat on the back and the words "Don't worry Carnethy, there's a hill coming up soon." As if I was supposed to be pleased about this news. In the end I won and lost a few places in the final stretch to finish in 1:50:30 for 33rd place and 9th Veteran, out of 218 finishers.
    A well organised race, in a great setting and a nice medal a technical t-shirt to boot. Recommended. Results are at: http://www.runbalmoral.com/results/search.aspx
    Mike Lynch
  • 30th April 2012
    Michael's run - Stage 1 London to Hertford
    So finally I started my big London to Edinburgh run. The first stage started in London Parliament square in literaly monsoon weather, it was all low key with 2 close friends and family. The way out from London was like getting out of a large maze, it just dragged on and on. The rain kept on pouring, a few drivers found it funny to splash me with large puddles. Once i got out of London, the sun started to shine, happy days. The last 4 miles were quite hilly indeed, so i just walked up and ran down. Once I got to Hertford, it was meeting family, food and goodbyes to my family. Now its me myself. Next stage is Hertford to Sandy 28 miles. Next report Monday evening. Follow Michael's progress here
    Michael Nowicki
  • 27th April 2012
    Wednesday training

    Where you went!
  • 23rd April 2012
    Alternative John Muir Way
    ajmw ajmw ajmw ajmw
    Coast, cake and aching legs. A grey morning turned into lovely sunshine for the intrepid runners & cyclists on the annual running of the AJMW brilliantly organised by Keith. 34 miles around East Lothian with a feast (thanks Bärbel) at around 23 miles. To whoever donated the thickly chocolate covered rice crispy cake that was quite irresistable a big thankyou. Hopefully the 3000 calories expended on the run burned it off. Bit of a shame that I was the only running finisher (not sure if Richard completed), with a slightly anticlimactic end in the empty car park - but I was glad to see Keith who waited for me to plod slowly in. More photos.
    Digby
    The Alternative John Muir Way continued its streak of near ideal weather yesterday.  The start was cloudy and chilly, but by the time we reached the Biarritz of the North after 2 hours, conditions were – Biarritzy.  As the sag wagon parked, the ice cream van pulled alongside and runners and bikers drifted in from the Dirleton dunes.  At Yellowcraig we saw how a golf resort developer Caledonian Heritable Ltd. (http://www.archerfieldgolfclub.com/real-estate/ ) could destroy acres of sea-buckthorn in a SSSI, even with the local authority’s knowledge and lack of subsequent action.  The developer had previously erected a hostile boundary fence designed to stop residents and golfers from, er, damaging the SSSI. 
    The beaches, cliffs and coves between North Berwick and Ravensheugh were bathed in sunshine with a cool NE breeze preventing overheating on the occasional strenuous scrambles up the slopes.  By the time we were breaching the defensive ditches around Tantallon Castle the 23-strong squad had spread over many diverse routes suited to foot or wheel.  
    It was so warm and sunny at Ravensheugh that Gio sought the cooler water and gently lapping waves for a swim.  The rest of the bikes emerged from the van and we continued via Binning Wood to the East Linton lunch break at 37km.  The full-distance runners were getting a bit droopy by then, their droopiness amplified by too much tea and over-eating.  The River Tyne was in spate from earlier heavy rain but had, at least, retreated into its banks as far as Hailes Castle.  From there, we climbed Pencraig Hill for the old highway through the coconutty broom to Barnes Castle and the Garleton Hills.  A few cyclists opted for alternative tarmac, and the survivalist runners grimly pursued the off-roaders to the prime at Hopetoun Monument.  As usual the rocky descent from the summit thwarted all attempts to stay on bikes.  From Hopetoun the end game is fast and easy for bikers; not so for remaining runners Digby and Richard who were by now locked into their separate lone routes back to Aberlady Bay. 
    21 started and finished most or all of the 56km circuit. 
    Many thanks to helpers Bärbel (lunch), Peter (driver), Tom and Philippa (van provision), all who contributed food and the girls who cleared up after lunch.     
    Keith Burns
  • 23rd April 2012
    Teenager with Altitude and Anniversary Waltz

    Impressive results for our club captains in the Lake District on Saturday, with a 1 and a 2 for Andy Fallas and Helen Bonsor respectively at the Teenager with Altitude race. An extended version of the popular Anniversary Waltz, the route goes over five tops before merging with Waltz route on Robinson, and clocks up 15 miles and 7,600 ft. Andy tagged along with Steve Pyke (Staffs Moorland) and Andy Schofield (Borrowdale) until he was sure where he was going and then sped off to finish in 2h54. Judith Jepson (Dark Peak) was first woman, then Helen who managed to keep just seconds of Hazel Robinson of Ambleside. Jon Ascroft finished in 6th & 3h07, having watched Carl Bell (Howgill Harriers) glide past him to comfortably win the Anniversary Waltz. Before long Gregor Heron too finished the Waltz followed by Steven McFarlane, Stephen Yule & Cameron Scott. Great Lakes racing, well organised with pretty decent weather, plenty of atmosphere and lots of post-race beer, hot food, and cake.
    Results to follow at http://www.anniversarywaltz.co.uk/
    Jon Ashcroft
  • 23rd April 2012
    London Marathon
    marathon medal
    Many thanks to Carnethy for my place in this year's London Marathon! It was a great day with blue skies and sunshine almost all the way. The heavens opened just before mile 25 for me and so I got a bit wet for the last stretch. But, hey, who cares about the rain at this point in the race?
    I saw Bob J going with the wind when he had just completed 22 miles and I was approaching 13. I called out, "Carnethy! Bob!", but there was just to much noise to hear. In fact all along the route there was a massive amount of noise and support from thousands of spectators. Very impressive.
    I came in hours and hours after Bob, but I'm still pleased with my time of about 5:45 because it was better than the 6 hours I was aiming for (my last marathon was 7:20 at Beachy Head last October). I was especially pleased because at mile 18 or 19 there was a risk I would be finishing in over 6 hours, but I managed to get my skates on just in time to break the 6 hour barrier ;o). I'm also pleased I managed to keep running (jogging) all the time, apart from a 10 min break for chocolate and to refill my water reservoir on my back.
    I got cold very quickly at the end because of the rain, so no photo of me then. However, here is a shot of my top complete with medal after we got back to my cousin's house.
    Thanks so much, Carnethy. This has been a goal of mine for years and I'm so pleased I've now completed the London Marathon.
    Margaret

    Carnethy were represented in the Virgin London Marathon yesterday by Margaret Forrest, Mike Lynch and Bob Johnson. All proper hill-runners will no doubt think "How sad is that?" but Lochaber had 5 runners in the race, two more than us! Bob was passed by either Oliver Blomfield (3:10:31) or Niall McBeath (3:12:57) with a conversation along the lines "Seen any hills yet?" at about 20 miles out. Bob eventually finished pretty finished in 3:13:17 for his 12th London on the (so-called) trot. Mike Lynch (unrecognisably slim due to so much training) finished with a great time of 3:25:07 with Margaret Forrest fulfilling her dream in 5:44:37. As per Margaret's earlier report there were heavy showers later on in the afternoon. All three experienced very strange weather conditions where rain was experienced at 9 and 18 miles - very localised though - rain which only seemed to affect one half of the road? A tough race as there were muddy sections to contend with (well muddy shoe prints at mile 21) and a really nasty puddle at about mile 16. Back to the green stuff for another year methinks...
    Bob Johnson
  • 21st April 2012
    Hunters Bog Trot
    bogtrot
    Not suprisingly the race was dominated by HBT who won most of the categories although Konrad Rawlik finished 2nd student and Hilary Spenceley was 1st LV50. Usual warnings at the start about tussocks and grand canyon to cross for health and safety purposes didn't put off a field of 115 including a large Canethy contingent on a pleasant warm lunchtime. I had my my usual battle with Kate Jenkins who got the better of me and Charlotte Morgan on the second climb of the Crags and I failed to catch them in the mad descent to the finish. Results
    Gordon
  • 19th April 2012
    Boghall Handicap - Wed 18th April
    boghall boghall boghall boghall boghall finish
    The first handicap of the season was won convincingly by Jill Mykura with Willie Gibson 2nd and Paul Ritchie 3rd, although he was stopping to open gates from me.
    41 runners took part and there were over 30 at The Steading for the food afterwards. Andy Fallas ran the fastest time, with guest, Sarah O'Neill from HBT, fresh from finishing 2nd at the British Champs race at Coledale, storming round to be second fastest.
    Results.
    Details of next handicap are here.
    Willie Gibson
  • 18th April 2012
    Cragside 10k - Sat 14th April
    cragside cragside
    This was a pleasant circuit of the grounds of the historic Cragside House near Rothbury in Northumberland.  I was quite pleased with my 42:42 given the 159m of climbing but this conveniently ignores the net 65m of descent over the whole course.  The forecast rain held off and it didn't snow until we decided to go for a bike ride the day after ...
    Phil Young
  • 17th April 2012
    Highlander Mountain Marathon - Torridon 14th/15th April
    Congratulation to Mark and Jacqui Higginbottom for winning the A class!
    Well done to Fraser Gibson & Conor Comrie 10th in the B class, Alec McVey and partner 3rd in C Class and Maggie & Chris Creber 11th in C class (3rd vets). The result for Andy and Sam in the A class simply says 'w3' which sounds unpromising. We await elucidation! There may be other Carnethies to mention but clubs aren't listed in the results. Report
  • 16th April 2012
    Coledale Horseshoe - Sat 14th April
    This was the first British and second English championship race with 381 male finishers and 126 female finishers. The weather was cool and hail showers held off till just before the prize giving. There was congestion after the start where we left the road and climbed steps, and also when we caught up the ladies race which started fifteen minutes ahead. I was asked where all the Carnethy vests were when ascending Eel Crag on hands and knees, and with the congestion the feet had to watch others' hands and loose stones. I think we were all disappointed and for me even more on the finishing line where I lost two places and was being asked if I was the first vet 80 finisher. I just know to enjoy Championship races one has to be fit, rested, and not suffering a slightly twisted ankle or more lingering injuries.
    Joe Symonds won the men's race. In 1988, Joe's father won the race when it was the World Cup Open race and I finished 16th.
    Conrad was 104th, I was 295th and 17th Vet 60, and Colin Ledlie 347th. Roy Lee was the vet over 80 and finished 380th.  Men's race result
    In the Ladies' race Lauren Jeska won the race from Sarah O'Neill of HBT. Charlotte Morgan was 14th and Helen Bonsor 23rd. Angela Mudge unfortunately had spasms in her back warming up and did not compete. Ladies' race result
    John Blair-Fish

  • 16th April 2012
    Newtyle Hill Race - 8th April
    The fourth running of the Newtyle hill race proved most popular with a record 67 competitors.  The wintry showers and full on hail storm 1 hour before the race made the conditions very cold and slippy underfoot and it was therefore essential to carry full body cover with waterproofs this year.  It still amazes me how many don’t have the correct kit and are prepared to carry it but this was just the night you really may have needed it if there was a fall and someone got cold.
    The race winds its way up Newtyle Hill from Loch of the Lowes into birch then pine woodland before emerging above the trees to a viewpoint in deep heather.  The fast descent is a good mixture of heather, steep grassy descents, forest track and trails through the oakwood down towards Dunkeld.  The winter storms had brought a lot of tree damage and broken branches to navigate around which made it more tricky this year. Robbie Simpson dominated winning in a new record 27.04 well inside the old record set the previous year by Mark Harris. Nick Barrable from Tonbridge AC and Brain Bonnyman first vet 40 followed him home. Paul Dugdale from Kendal was fifth overall and second vet 40 and good to see the Thug back competing over the Easter break.  Sarah O’Neil from HBT dominated the ladies race in a new record of 32.44 with Morag McCracken in 2nd in 33.52.  Eilidh Wardlaw finished 3rd lady and Hilary Ritchie from Fife AC was first lady vet 40 in 38.09. A few people went wrong and it seemed like follow the leader but most people seemed to see the tape which was every 50m.  Thanks for the support from the marshalls, Scottish Wildlife Trust and Athol Estates we can’t do it without you. Once again the Nicols’, Bill Melville and Louise Davis who also made the excellent cakes. And thanks to Geoff Simpson of HBT for collecting the controls and tape in. And those who completed the results and who helped make it such a memorable day. Results
    Adrian Davis

  • 16th April 2012
    Irish Gravity Enduro Series: Rd 1 Wicklow Mountains 7th-8th April
    Following ligament damage to my ac joint from smashing a tree at the first round of the British Enduro series I wasn't sure if I would be able to make the start line of the 1st round of the Irish Enduro Series. Travelled to the venue Djouce Woods in the Wicklow Mountains with current British Champion Gary Forrest and fellow vet Richard Hamilton from Innerleithen. Took us a while to find the venue on the Saturday but once there I decided to give practice a go with some heavy strapping to my shoulder. The 5 stages were cracking and well worth the trip- shoulder held up although still sore. Organisation was excellent and this along with super tracks persuaded me that I would race on the Sunday. Strapped up again I had 5 good runs and pleasingly took the vet win by 20s. (Gary had a blow out and crashed ending up with concussion but still took 11th.) All in all a fantastic event and will head back for Round 2 in June as a result. Results here and video of the event here: http://www.gravityenduro.ie/
     Geraint Florida-James
  • 12th April 2012
    Wednesday training
    wed training
    The weekly mystery of our route revealed!
  • 11th April 2012
    Grandtully Hill Race
    grandtully grandtully
    Probably the smallest and most informal hill race I have ever entered but also one of the most fun.  This year's entry of 14 was down on last years 28 (and nearly half of the entries were my family, friends or friends of friends).  We also provided the timers in case the organiser Stuart Simpson didn't finish first - and in the event he was narrowly piped at the post.  Traditionally held after the Easter Canoe Slalom at Grandtully it was fitting that  a canoeist (Tony Smith from Winchester CC) made a brave attempt at an all time record for the course - nearly breaking the hour barrier for the 6.4 km.  Stuart then provided an eclectic mix of unwanted Christmas presents to reward almost all the runners in some unexpected way.
    Phil Young
  • 10th April 2012
    Norman's Law Hill Race and Emily Hill Junior Races
    Unable to make Clachnaben, I headed up to Fife on Sunday for Norman's Law. I found myself leading the pack away from the start soon to be passed by the Fife duo Chris Russell and Russ McFarlane. I lost a couple of other places before hitting the climb of Norman's Law itself. There was no marked route for the climb so I took the direct steeper approach and rounded the trig point in 3rd place.
    Route choice was open for the return, I followed Chris Russell (who went on to win) and thought 2nd place was mine until Ryan Stewart of Dundee Hawkhill appeared on the skyline over Emily Hill and just pipped me to the finish line.
    First female was Alison McGill of Fife, the only other Carnethy was Mary Lye who finished in 50th place.
    Superbly organised race with a great feast in the village hall afterwards. Male prizes were much appreciated Fyne ales and chocolate Easter bunnies!
    John Hammond

    I'm reporting back after a lovely family day out at Luthrie. My seven year old daughter, Rosie, tested her legs on her first ever hill race. There seemed to be a good turn out of juniors, and Rosie (accompanied by her Dad) had a great time, despite coming last. A packet of Starburst was deemed to be a good reward for the mile-long run.
    The seniors' race started from the cowsheds (two year old Solly's verdict on the noisily mooing cows: "bit scary").The runners set off at a pretty feisty pace, so I contented myself with settling in
    towards the rear of the herd. The first couple of miles of road, bridlepath and gentle undulations allowed me to nudge ahead a bit, before the vigorous walking and panting to the top of Norman's Law. Then it was a jelly-legged hobble past the cairn, and a glimpse of the Tay before heading back down with a helpful tail-wind to a sugary Fife feast at the Village Hall. Apparently times were a bit slower this year, due to a slightly altered route, with Chris Russell of Fife AC taking the top spot at 32.26, and Carnethy's John Hammond coming third at 33.54. Thank you to Fife AC for a very well run and enjoyable family event.
    Mary Lye
    Results
  • 9th April 2012
    Clachnaben hill race
    clachnaben clachnaben clachnaben clachnaben clachnaben
    The forests at the foot of Clach na Beinn are unusually pleasant, open mature woodland. The Beinn itself is a dramatic granite tor rising in convoluted folds upon the top of the hill. In between lies a morass of peat and heather suiting those who like hard wet going, mixed with forest trails and stepped stone ascent. The stream crossing soon after the start was not actually waist deep (oh you jesters!) and there was a bridge to keep your feet dry though having dry feet didn't last long. The reward for the large field finishing was a large spread of cake, and a very tasty barrel of Deeside 'Macbeth' ale. As usual for a Carnethy and Scottish Championship race the turnout was high. The prizegiving saw Carnethy men's team take the prize, and Stuart Whitlie 2nd male vet. That's all I can remember until the results come out, apart from some of the more unusual prizes - the dirtiest finisher, who won a towel; the most Scottish name - won by Murdo Macleod; spot prizes for the easter chicks to be found round the course; and the 1st over 60 female prize briefly held by our own Jean Jumelle, in an unfortunate misinterpretation of french language gender rules.
    Digby
    The route was changed from previous years two weeks before the race to make the race "more runnable". It was shorter and with less climb. It can be debated whither championship races should be more runnable and whither a race selected with a known course should remain a championship race with a changed route. In the old days 30 years ago a race could not be used as a championship race unless the route had been run before. So the route did not suit me, struggling to pass runners in the heather after the fast start and then losing out on the bouldery snowy descent
    and fast run down the forest roads. I seem to be ahead of none over 60 rivals but do not know if I was ever near the over 60 winner. Jean Jumelle was awarded the over 60 Ladies price till it was pointed out he was a French man. I travelled with Jean and Gordon but it seemed otherwise to be no coordination of lifts and carbon points. Nevertheless a selection of fast Carnethy faster men appeared and won the men's team prize. Jacquie Higgingbottom won the first vet Lady.
    John Blair-Fish
    Results. More photos on Carnethy Google photos

  • 4th April 2012
    Carnethy Vest on the Olympic Track - March 31st
    olympic
    Down to Englandshire at the weekend to take part in an event to test out crowd management in the Olympic Park. I was lucky in getting a place in a highly over-subscribed 5 mile race around the Park, finishing on the track in the Olympic Stadium. The route looped around the Park, past the buildings which I'm sure are familiar to many already; the pringle-shaped Velodrome, the Aquatic Centre with the ugly temporary wings, the Copper Box. However, with the Games 3 months away they are still sitting in an unlandscaped building site! Great to enter the stadium through the tunnel, though, and turn on what passes for a sprint these days down the finishing straight.
    It seemed a shame to go all that way just for 5 miles so the next day we headed down to Kent for the Paddock Wood half-marathon. From the conversations around it seemed almost everyone in the race was tapering for the London Marathon. I'll use the previous day's exertions as an excuse for Sally beating me, yet again, over an endurance distance. Our friend Clair Steward was first LV55+. Sally Cross, 34th (of 150) LV45-55, but at a disadvantage being at the top of her age group.
    Results are here
    Ian Jackson
  • 3rd April 2012
    Glasgow to Edinburgh ultra
    ultra ultra ultra ultra
    The last big test before my London to Edinburgh run was about to start. This time Glasgow to Edinburgh ultra marathon, first its a un-Carnethy type race as its flat as a sheet of glass. I stayed over at my mate's house in Glasgow which saved me the train journey in the morning of the race. We came to the registration nice and early, I was happy to see a fellow Carnethy Phil (forgot surname). So horn was blown and off we went. I set of very slow as I was entering new territory over 50 miles of running, a huge task. The Forth canal was 23 miles long and I have to say never ending. I approached check point 1, refilled and off I went. The next check point was in Falkirk wheel, nice location and 23 miles done. Time to set off on the Union canal, this was very familiar to me. I did this route few weeks back. I head towards the Falkirk tunnel, out I get my head torch, some random guy asks me can he borrow my torch, I say point blank no as I'm running to Edinburgh. He said " you crazy fool", I just ignored that. Anyway back to the race, I started to approach Linlithgow check point 3. I started to suffer for the first time. I knew though that few miles ahead I'll have my dear friends Helen and Emma from the Footworks running group, which was a relief to know. I met them and of we set off on our journey back home. We approached checkpoint 4 and it was in Broxburn, I started to suffer and I knew that I'm not far away from home. The next check point was Ratho, yes the last one before the finish. The girls were really encouraging me, I was completely gone at 4 miles to go. So I was run/walking. One mile left and girls set off to meet Monika and Greg. During the last mile I gathered all my thoughts together and thought this is it, my last race before the big one. I crossed the line and emotions got bit better of me. Greg gave me the usual cheer. Overall I was very pleased, 10.41. Phil did great and it was great to see him. Emma and Helen were fantastic in helping me and huge thanks to them. I will be back next year for this race. So next it's London to Edinburgh, can't believe it's coming so soon.
    Michael
  • 2nd April 2012
    April Reversicap
    As a sure sign that it was handicap day the weather duly turned from last week's hotter than July to this week's cold as Christmas. Still it didn't deter the faithful from turning out. Matteo could not make the run today so posted the time for his run in the fine fine conditions of last week. Perhaps we should call him Meteo as the cold drizzly rain made the rocks and short grass as slippery as glass.
    Inspired by his Kilian video from last week Paul bounded down the gutted haddie and cut through the field to give him the day's best time. Instead of an inspirational video most of the rest of us looked closer to the ice-pond scene from bambi as we tried to descend the rocks on the summit and the steps.
    Newbie Colin Muir took to this run like he was born for it, not only finishing first but getting lost along the way a couple of times. Under my obscure and undocumented rules newbies have their debut runs taken to be their next handicap, which officially means a win for Mark, quite fitting then that he knocked another couple of seconds off his pb on a wet and windy pacindah.
    Despite taking the tourist route round the last descents Mike made use of his quite generous handicap to nip inside his allotted time. Next home was Tom, only just falling outside 1 o'clock. Digby was close on his heels, and he was virtually followed by Matteo, then actually by Gordon. Paul actually passed Cam on the final climb (as well as me) but as Cam set off late his second fastest run of the day statistically has him following in 8th, all the same, not bad for someone who had run from Glasgow to Falkirk the previous day. I managed to avoid posterior to surface contact by keeping to the long grass on the last descent and in doing so overhauled Chloe and Tony. JBF and Russell both set off late but oddly both would have finished at the same time if they hadn't. Results
    Well done to Mark, Colin and Paul who can all argue some form of victory.
    Back to the normal way round next month for the daring buds of May.
    Bruce

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