News October to December 2009
- 2nd January 2010
Greenmantle Dash
A lower than usual number of runners arrived in a snowy Broughton for
this year's Greenmantle Dash. The course was also slightly altered,
taking a track behind the school thus missing out the wall and burn
crossing, although one bonus of the recent weather was that the swamp
before the first road section was solid. We set off from the brewery
in a heavy snow fall and followed good tracks of compacted snow across
the fields to the foot of the climb. Thankfully the front runners had
broken trail for the rest of us through the deep snow on Ratchil Hill
so the climb wasn't as bad as it looked from the bottom. A quick descent
and the usual dash along Dreva Road saw us back at the finish behind
the village hall, where food and free bottle of Broughton's finest
awaited us.
Six Carnethies took part: Tim Darlow, Bruce Smith, Gregor
Heron, Cameron Scott, Dougie Shiell and Craig Henderson.
Cameron Scott
Results
to follow on SHR website.
- 29th December 2009
Pentlands Skiline
   
The
weather and snow cover were too good to rush. Interruptions from
the scenery, photography, chance encounters
with
other travellers,
the Black Hill heather traps, failing daylight and increasing
exhaustion led to a rather lengthy circuit of the skyline by ski. A
clockwise
start at Flotterstone by 9:15 left available daylight rather
tight. The steep climbs and descents along the ridge to West Kip were
despatched
with too little thought for economy of effort. Hare Hill was
traversed at a great pace helped by holding crust. It was the collapsing
crust
on Black Hill that brought on the fatigue.
 
By
Capelaw it was clear that I was heading for a gloomy finish if
I was to get out to Caerketton
and back over Castle Law with a double traverse of Allermuir.
On Caerketton summit I bumped into Colin P and Joy who had just watched
the dramatic sunset. On the return leg over Allermuir and Castle
Law I lost all perception of shape in the snow. My lamp produced
dramatic twinkling snow crystals but little useful illumination
of
the groovy pitfalls on the way to Castle Law. The last descent
was a kind of schuss by Braille, with one dramatic head plant that
needed
a fair time to unravel. As a final blow I mislaid the trail down
through the gorse from the farm to Flotterstone and a welcome
but prickly and weary finish at 6pm. My 6.5 hr performance of some
years
ago will remain inviolate (by me anyway). A perfect day in still
air and sunshine. Very rare! Snort at the time after you’ve
tried it - -
Keith Burns
- 27th December 2009
The Law Breaker
Wintry and windy conditions up high meant
that The Law in the Ochils was left peaceful this year, and 68
runners chased
themselves around three gruelling and atmospheric laps of Tillicoutry
Mill Glen. With each lap the slippy-sleety-muddy ascent and icy
and greasy steps of the descent didn't get any easier. In a tough field,
Prasad Prasad (Clydesdale) finished comfortably first in 32.18,
then
a minute later Robbie Simpson (Deeside) just in front of Brian
Marshall (HELP). Soon after (okay - 5 minutes later) was a extended
blur of
red
and yellow as Jon Ascroft, Steven Fallon, Bruce Smith, Andy Fallas
and Bob Johnson finished almost consecutively. Isobel Burnett (Carnegie
Harriers) was first Woman in 49.56, followed by Beryl Junnier (Wee
County
Harreirs). >From a generous spread of prizes, Steven & Bob scooped
first MV40 & MV50, and Carnethy the Men's team prize. Many thanks
to the organisers, marshals & tea/soup/cake providers for a exhilarating
race. Results
Jon
- 22nd December 2009
Club Christmas Party - Monday 21st December
As usual. a massive turnout despite eveyone
having to fight snow drifts to get to Moira's house.
Thanks to Moira for hosting a fantastic
evening and to everyone for bringing so much food.
The 2009 trophy
winners were
announced, these being
Burns Scott Trophy : Moira Stewart;
Scald Law Trophy : a tie between Steven Fallon and
Lucy Colquhorn;
Club Champion : Kate Friend;
Junior Allermuir Trophy : Trevor Wilkinson.
- 22nd Deember 2009
Esk Run - Sunday 20th December
This run from Musselburgh to Carlops happened and lots of people took
part (about 30 ran all or part) and it was very beautiful in the frost
and snow. No report from any of those 30 yet, however, so hope they're
all recovered ! (Assorted photos from Gordon)
Report
I met 19 runners in Dalkeith Park, roughly the same distance for them
as for me from home. It was a pleasant run across to the park, cold
but not too much snow. Curiously the main Dalkeith gate was ajar, perhaps
it has been like that a long time, since everyone knows not to go there.
Everyone ignored it and climbed the wall as usual. Along the railway
track, then over another wall into the snowy field by Elginhaugh where
it seemed to me we spoiled the esthetic purity of keeping as near to
the Esk as possible. Oh, well.
Dropping over yet another wall onto
the A768 was easy, the paths on towards Polton were distinctly more
icy. Up another icy track to Midlothians answer to the Aonach Eagach
in Bilston Wood, then down the dangerous icy steps back to the banks
of the Esk. The Linn by Roslin was flowing well, not a day for a dip.
Over the bridge, join the B7003, and a blast along the bank and up
to the railway, to welcome bacon rolls and endless tea at the Royal
Hotel, Penicuik. Here we lost a few and gained some more for a total
23 runners, the newcomers unashamedly consuming bacon rolls and endless
tea alongside the weary participants who had honorably completed 25km
already.
St Johns estate offered some fine tracks, a few puddles not
quite solid with half an inch of ice. The snow gradually became deeper,
by the time we reached the pipeline river crossing, we were following
the groove in single file. Beyond Auchencorth Farm we re-grouped
by the wall, more or less out of the wind. We saw a sickly
sheep start
up and tumble down the bank to lie stiffly with legs in the air.
Two runners went to see if anything could be done, and tried
to phone the
farm without success. A well sheep would have no trouble with those
conditions.
New deer fencing at "The Steele" changed the route a bit, but we
arrived at the pub in good time for a refreshment by the fire. Oddly
enough, my feet were
almost
dry, just a hint of melted snow powder - previous years have been much wetter.
Rod Dalitz
- 21st December
2009
A Winter West Highland Way - Saturday
19th December
The current WHW race record holder, Jez Bragg,
successfully completed a winter run of the WHW route on Saturday in
an amazing 21 hours 14 minutes.
Murdo McEwan and Jez had come to the conclusion a winter WHW would
be
"a fun thing to do" and a decent way to avoid any chaotic shopping
the weekend before Christmas. Unfortunately Murdo picked up an injury
a
couple of weeks before the event that precluded him running the full
route so there had to be a bit of re-jigging of plans in the lead
up
to the attempt.
The weather forecast for the 19th was not exactly ideal but did turn
out to be fairly accurate; winter decided to arrive with dumps of
snow
and very cold temperatures. Unperturbed, Jez set off from Milngavie
just after midnight on Saturday morning with Lucy running with him
up
to Rowardennan with Olly Stephenson and Jamie Thin supporting.
The snow was pretty much on schedule and started when Jez was near
Tyndrum and continued (blowing into his face!) all the way along to
Bridge of
Orchy and on to Inveroran. By this point Murdo and Russell Stout were
the support, so it was Russell that kept Jez company over Rannoch
Moor.
Thankfully the weather cleared as per the forecast for the for this
very exposed section over to the White Corries ski centre. After helping
re-fuel Jez who by now was reaching saturation point for Muller Rice
and square crisps (not together I hasten to add), Russell headed home
with Alun Morton Lloyd, Andy Millard and Murdo supporting the final
push.
We had a chance meeting at Altnafeadh where we parked up waiting for
Jez only to find that the car next to us contained Mike O'Conner and
Shane Bouchier who had just come down the Devils Staircase! Many thanks
to them for some very welcome warm tea and loan of an extra head-torch.
Armed with Mike and Shane's up-to-date hill condition report Jez and
Alun started the climb up the Devils Staircase just as darkness, along
with the temperature, was beginning to fall.
It does have to be said that Kinlochleven is not the liveliest of places
during winter, I think we doubled the number of folk out-and-about
during
our short wait there. The next section over to Lundavra wasn't much
fun for Jez as the track was sheet ice making running nearly impossible.
When we parked up at Lundarva the temperature was reading -5! Not only
did this make it very slippy but the cold air into the lungs didn't
really help either. After a final fuel stop Jez set off with Andy for
the final section down to Fort William. Thankfully once we got to
the
plantation tracks the snow over the ice meant it was very runable,
as demonstrated by Jez who showed amazing pace for the final descent
and
road section into Fort William.
Jez made it through the falling snow to the Sports Centre doors at
9:14 pm; an absolutely incredible super-human achievement!
All that was left was for us to do was to find a chip shop as he'd
been yearning for a fish supper since Tyndrum. Suppers consumed we
drove
off through the freezing temperatures and blizzards back to Edinburgh
for some well-deserved sleep.
AndyM
- 17th December 2009
Club Pub Run
The Pub run was well attended with 23 people including 3 or 4 cyclists.
The normal route was taken but a new fence led to an interesting mud
slide. A few joined mid route and a few left, but the increasing inebriation
didn't hold us back.
We visited all the expected pubs and got back to Nick Macdonald's house
for some well earned food (thanks Alison).
Photos and poetic report here
and footage here (legal
advice was sought beforehand)
- 13th December 2009
Glenachulish Hill Race
Lochaber AC run a winter race series to keep
their lot competitive, but anyone can take part in the races. They
keep
the publicity to a minimum and everything is kept low-key. The Glenachulish
Hill Race is part of the series and takes place on the forestry tracks
below magnificant Beinn a'Bheither (meaning 'Mountain of the Thunderbolt').
The route is a fast short sprint for around 6km with an ascent of
250m.
Manny Gorman legged it leaving everyone in his wake and I (the only
Carnethy) came 4th. Tough but really enjoyable !
After the race, a few of us then headed up Beinn a'Bheithir and bagged
the two munro peaks. A superb sunset over Loch Linnhe to Mull was
enjoyed
as light began to fade.
More photos
of the hill bag here
Steven Fallon
- 13th December 2009
Dunbar XC
It was the third of the Borders Cross
Country Series and Carnethy were well represented with both a men's
and women's team. Held on the comletely flat John Muir Country Park
(at Hedderwick Hill !) just outside Dunbar, a slightly different route
than last year took us down a mile of soft sand (soft sand more than
made up for the lack of hills and mud!) and on to the compulsory water
jump. There was a huge field, lots more than took part in the European
XC later that day! Adam Ward was 1st Carnethy home, using his flat
speed
to get his revenge on Stewart Whitlie who beat him in the last race
at Lauder. Adam ended up 2nd Over 45, Andy Spenceley was 1st Over
50,
Hilary Spenceley 2nd Over 50 Female and Anne Nimmo 1st Over 55 Female.
Result on the Borders Cross-Country site here
- 12th December 2009
A Misty Day Out
Yesterday was a horrid foggy day in Edinburgh.
It was the same all the way to Crianlarich, apart from a brief glimpse
of sunny hillsides and blue sky at the top of Glen Ogle. I had taken
a chance on the weather to bag the Corbett of Meall an Fhudair just
to the NW of the top of Loch Lomond. Fortune favours the bold and I
was rewarded with a day of fantastic skyscapes and sunshine.
Nigel Rose
- 9th December 2009
Drum Beat
12 turned up for the Drum Run two joined en
route and two left en route.. We managed to avoid lots of the dreaded
tarmac,
winding a route across Liberton Rugby pitch, Inch Park and up towards
Craigmillar, Heather joined us as we ran past city dump and Mike joined
us at the Castle. Richard led us on to Hawk Hill and down a slippy
slope to cross the no-mans-land to Danderhall. The girls decided to
leave
us and head for home as the rest of us run over the hill into The Drum
estate and back through Gilmerton Farm and Ellen's Glen.
A lovely run of about 8 miles.
Joanne got back to KB 20 minutes ahead of us,
but was still trying to take her pertex top off as we arrived and
was
last seen heading into the changing room with a pair of scissors.
Matt Grove turned up unusually 45 minutes late and did his own thing.
- 9th December 2009
East District XC championships - Sat
5th December
The championships were held in Livingston this
year and the Carnethy's womens' team consisted of Jacqui Higginbottom,
Pam Whitlie, Joanne Anderson and Kate Friend. The 6.4km course weaved
through the woods, and passed Dechmont Law, Huff Hill and the golf
course…luckily
we didn't run near the shopping centre otherwise I'd have been tempted
to pop in. The rain held off and Jacqui powered to the finish coming
in 2nd LV40 and collecting a medal.
Kate Friend
- 6th December 2009
Monthly Sunday Run - Red Moss
Shane laid on some splendid winter sunshine
(and at least two mountain rescue squads as back up) for the monthly
run from Red Moss (that is actually Threipmuir of course). A good 20
folk took part, many old friends we haven't seen for a while. The
route
got stretched a little to include South Black Hill and Carnethy. There
was a protest from the ladies that the fast pace was hampering their
blethering. Lovely views, and good to dry off over hot soup at the
Riccarton Arms
Carnethy Monthly Run Alternative
more
photos on flickr
Whooops ! Steven didn't check the Carnethy website and without thinking,
sent out an email suggesting a munro or corbett bag run around the
Tyndrum
area. So only two guys (Steven and Andy Fallas) went for a fast training
run up the corbetts either side of Glen Orchy. Chosen first was the
circuit of Beinn Bhreac-liath and Beinn Udlaidh from the north - a
fabulous run ending with a superb grassy descent following a weird
quartzite
dyke back down to the forest. We then drove a few miles down the single
track road to the Eas Urchaidh waterfall and ran along an excellent
(an cycleable) track north-west through forest to bag Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh
- a trudge heading uphill, but such great fun on the fast running
back
returning to the car – just in time before the wet and windy came in.
Steven Fallon
- 3rd December 2009
Book Launch
Steven Fallon's book - Classic Hill Runs and Races in Scotland is out
now (RRP £10) and currently available from Run and Become and
amazon.co.uk
or via Steven's
website . It features a collection of 35 races and 35 hill runs
which Steven has done, each one accompanied by route maps and fantastic
photos .Look at the photos and see how many of the races, hills and
runners (lots of Carnethies) you can recognise. This is a quality
pocket
book ideal for beginners to the sport as well as experienced hill runners.
- 2nd December 2009
Wednesday run - cold and clear
Willie led a great evening run under a nearly
full moon. A good turnout of 16, more stalwarts turned up in the pub
after. A smidgin over 8 miles, the frost is not far away, thick dew
on the grass, but it was the ropes across the very dark golf courses
that caused the most consternation!
- 1st December 2009
Water of Leith Half Marathon - Saturday 28th
November
The Water of Leith Half Marathon is an unofficial
race that follows the river from the road to Harlaw reservoir on the
edge of the Pentlands to the Shore in Leith (and then onwards to the
Waterline pub). In the past the odd runner has been confused by the
many twists in the trail and has ended up lost in north Edinburgh and
had to catch a bus to get to the finish cakes in time. It's been ably
organized for the last 9 years by Jim MacFarlane (Corstorphine AC)
and Jim Bruce (Corstorphine / Stornoway). Entries are limited by the
number
of people that can fit on the coach from Leith to the start.
This year we avoided last year's icy conditions, with just the usual
mud and a large number of dogs to contend with. To avoid too much
conflict
with the dog walkers and Argentinean rugby fans the race is run as
a handicap. Although not employing the finely tuned sophisticated
mathematics
of the more famous Carnethy handicap, Jim B still managed to get an
impressive 85% of the runners finishing within 6 minutes of their
handicap.
Lucy Colquhoun was the only other Carnethy entrant and set off a mere
4 minutes after me (Jim doesn't always get his handicaps 100% correct)
and hence came past at a good pace a few miles before the end in the
Dean Village. The race was won by Alastair Scott in a time of 1:42
for
which he received a bottle of wine and ridiculous handicap for next
year. The winning team received a Stornoway Black Pudding and the
opportunity
to choose next year's team prize.
Phil Young
- 29th November 2009
Lauder Cross Country
Round 2 of the Borders XC series was held in
Lauder. It was anything but running round a field! Carnethy were not
very evident in numbers but made up for it in performance. The course
involved three river crossings on slippy bridges followed by a long
haul up a hill which suited us well as indeed did the steep descent
where those of the 177 starters in road shoes struggled. Along the
river
valley with a few jumps over streams was followed by a very steep climb
up a mud slope where many were slipping backwards! Across 3 fields
with
the choice of jumping or using the kissing gates was followed by a
track where you could choose to run in the flowing water or plough
through
the mud to the finish. That's XC for you! Great fun but what a mess
the car was in afterwards and you can imagine what Cody was like!
But
the rain did stop for the duration of the race. Being XC it was in
5 year age group categories;- Stewart was 1st and Adam 2nd as was
Pam.
Trevor finished 4th and I was 5th. Next round is on the beach at Belhaven
Dunbar on 13 December.
Gordon
- 29th November 2009
Glentress Duathlon - Medium
There was a good turnout for the first race
of the Glentress Duathon series with 137 starters, and a large number
of
Carnethy vests were evident. The recent heavy rain made the mountain
bike section particularly muddy and slippy and with the race starting
in freezing rain, which changed to sleet/snow as the runners finished
(hyperthermic conditions), many wondered why they were there! Consequently
the cakes and hot tea/coffee at the end, which were somehow produced
in the horrendous conditions, were very welcome. Pre-race favourite
Prasad Prasad was watching the race due to a cold, so no-one knows
whether he would have beaten Andy Symonds, who won from his brother
Joe. Carnethy
successes included Jon Ascroft 7th, Andy Spenceley 1st Over 50, Bob
Johnson 2nd Over 50, Mark James 2nd Over 40, Cali Ingham 1st Over
50
woman, John Littlewood 1st Over 60.
Many thanks to all the Marshals that braved the weather to make the
event possible.
The
results are on the Glentress Duathlon Site
Photos courtesy of Willie
Lyall
- 25th November 2009
Harlaw Night Run
Joanne Anderson organised a weather window for
tonight's run and, considering the heavy and cold rain showers all
day,
a large turnout of 15 people took advantage of it to battle a windswept
and muddy Pentlands - so windy that Andy Millard's head torch was
blown
off his head on top of Bell's Hill and is now being guarded by a flock
of sheep (and coming soon hopefully, for the sheep connoisseurs, a
photo
of the sheep).
Report from Chris Henty:
What a fantastic run! It was the kind of run that (as the night runs
tend to) makes you glad to be with a group of folk who seem to think
it's a good idea to head into the hills in the dark on a wild night
alive! No way would I have been out there on my own, but in a group,
somehow it seems normal, and to be on top of a hill on such a night
really is something to experience every once in a while. And the ascent
of Harbour Hill with a strong tail wind was quite exceptional ! Thanks
to the leaders for guiding us safely through the soggy terrain, and
everyone else who came along to help make me feel like I wasn't doing
something utterly foolish!
- 18th November 2009
Kate Friend wins the 2009 Club Championship
Well done to the fifteen members who completed
the club championship this year. It was a closely fought finish where
three members shared the minimum amount of points (six points) and
they where separated based on number of races ran and finishing position
in their category. Kate Friend was the eventual winner by achieving
six points and running 11 races from the series (fifteen races in
series).
Kate will be awarded with an engraved hip flask at the prize giving
at the Christmas party on December 21st. All fifteen members who completed
the championship will get a bottle of beer at the Christmas party.
Final Results
- 18th November 2009
Druim Fhada Chase
Last year I tried my hand at the Druim Fhada
chase, hated it and ended up in the Belford Memorial Hospital getting
stitches. Thought I'd never come back, but decided to put to bed the
demons of last year by having a go again. So this time I knew what
to
expect. John Coyle turned up with some of the kids from Tobermory High,
saying to me on the quiet that they didn't know what they were letting
themselves in for. On the race I didn't put a huge amount of effort
in and ended up really enjoying it. Great views to Ben Nevis while
running
along the track. There were 5 of us jostling positions - Bruce Poll,
John Coyle, Peter Ward, Gary Barnett and myself for most of the way
around the course. I had a sprint with Peter Ward for the last 100m
to the finish - we pushed hard, but Peter beat me, then promptly fell
on his knees and threw up - nice ! Youngster Robbie Simpson set a new
record by taking over 2 minutes out of the previous one - well done
to him. And one of John's kids, Craig Tomisen ran brilliantly to come
third.
Steven Fallon
- 15th November 2009
Norham Cross Country
The weather couldn't have been better
for this, the first of the Borders Cross Country series. For those
who
don't already know, this series comprises 6 races held over the winter
months and for those completing 4 or more there is a memento and the
possibility of a category prize! With the numbers increasing every
year you are unlikely to be last (or first!) but you'll almost definitely
get muddy and wet. Carnethy managed to field a men's and ladies' team
(three in each) - Adam Ward, Stewart Whitlie and Andy Spenceley (1st
Over 50) must have done quite well in the men's o40s while Pam Whittle,
Hilary Spenceley (1st Over 50) and Anne Nimmo (1st Over 55) were still
smiling at the end....Next race is at Lauder on 29th November. Races
start at noon and cost £12 for the lot.
Result are on
the Borders Cross-Country site here
AN
- 15th November 2009
The Rest of the Alternative John Muir Way
The national weather forecast delivered warnings
of extreme wet and windy weather across the nation. The warnings on
the A1 confirmed that East Lothian was not exempt. None of the doomsayers
seemed to be aware of the East Lothian Föhn, and once again it delivered
the goods with a superb weather window that began just before we
set
off from East Linton and ended as we finished the run after over 5hrs
of totally dry and pleasant autumn weather on the trek to Siccar
Point
and back to Pease Bay. The river was swollen and the tide was up, but
we still had some pleasant beach running on the way to Dunbar and
beyond.
We paid homage to the great son of Dunbar at his statue on the High
Street. The precious Dunbar golfing real estate suffered a minor
accidental
trespass without too much disruption. The shoreline thereafter gave
a peaceful and dramatic contrast to the inland landscape of cement
works
and Edinburgh landfill site. One day they might blend into a future
landscape as benignly as the old Roman limestone quarry that you
hardly
notice close by Barns Ness lighthouse. Even Torness power station may
well become a future industrial heritage centre, memento for a post-industrial
society left by Salmond & Co. But meanwhile its impressive sea wall
provides an interesting diversion for littoral runners. We drifted
peacefully
past these useful industrial behemoths humming and steaming in the
background.
click on photo here 
for picture gallery.
The Thornton Burn lost its footbridge in a September deluge. This is
the site of first discovery of the crinoid Blothrocrinus Thorntonensis,
and latterly the near demise and fossil preservation of Eric as he
rode into the burn on his bike with only enough momentum to get him
to the
deepest bit in the middle before slowly listing sideways and falling
into its crinoidal depths for an early bath. Bilsdean gorge marks
the
end of the designated JMW. The team was by now elongated over about
a kilometre, creating some navigational confusion around the subterranean
approach to Cove Harbour. We continued along the increasingly dramatic
cliff edge (with bits of path having recently dropped into the sea).
Time and daylight were getting tight at Pease Bay as we split into
those in pursuit of Siccar Point and those opting for an early pint
at the
friendly caravan site bar. The dramatic descent down to the Siccar
Point shore never disappoints. After a too-brief inspection of Hutton’s
transforming discovery, the long haul back up the slope was aided
by a mysteriously
abandoned fixed rope. The Pease Bay bar was a welcome finale to a bracing
35km outing.
The participants : Richard Lathe, Ronnie Gallagher, Keith Burns, Shane
Bouchier, Jane Robertson, Nigel Rose, Eric Brown, Juliette Camburn,
Jim McWhinnie, Mike O’ Connor, John Littlewood, John Blair Fish,
Joanne Anderson, Gordon Cameron, Willie Mykura.
Thanks to the club committee for the transport provision and to Barbel
and contributors for the tea in East Linton.
Keith Burns
- 11th November 2009
Wednesday Run - 8 miles and 16 smiles
My reminder email this afternoon ellicited a
few interesting responses.
One said they would, sadly still be in the office, another would be
watching The Proclaimers, and an other was heading from Leeds to London.
16 did, however turn up for a lovely run across The Braids (quagmire)
and Comiston Park then towards Swanston till we crossed the bypass,
then we headed East round the back of Morton House and Back across
Mortonhall to the summit of Braids before winding across Braids and
Craigmillar
Park to KB.
The reflected light allowed us to save out head torch batteries. The
evening was pleasant and still. The new barrel of Deuchars at KB was
enjoyed by almost all.
Willie Gibson
- 7th November 2009
Record field at Run & Become Tinto
Hill Race
A good day for the race; little wind
and no rain and even the sun wasn't in your eyes as a small cloud
sat on
the summit ! However, it wasn't really a day for fast times as the
course was very slippy and only the winner was under 32 minutes. The
nice day
attracted the runners as a massive field of nearly 300 registered (298
started, 293 finished), stretching organisation to the limit (although
nearly everyone got the soup afterwards!). This little race in the
borders has now become one of the biggest races in Scotland.
Improving from second place last year, Prasad Prasad (Clydesdale) took
the pace on early and won easily from Al Anthony (Ochils) with English
visitor Will Horsley (Northumberland) taking 3rd. A superb climb from
Claire Gordon (HBT) enabled her to take the women's race convincingly
from Scout Adkin (Moorfoots).
Results (including Juniors)
- 6th November 2009
Threipmuir & Harlaw path closures
The tracks from Red Moss car park, along the
side of Threipmuir reservoir and through to Harlaw reservoir will
be
closed on weekdays until next April. If you are planning a mid-week
run you should take an alternative route. The tracks will be closed
to allow the safe passage of lorries and heavy machinery working on
the reservoirs.
In case you are interested, the two reservoirs are used to control
the flow of water in the Water of Leith and to prevent flooding in
Edinburgh.
The new works will increase the capacity of the reservoirs by raising
the height of the dams. This is in anticipation of higher rainfall
in
the years to come.
Nigel Rose
- 5th November 2009
Blinding moonshine - the Wednesday run
Ahah - when Willie passed over the reins for
the first bit, hesitation.. Not unfounded, as Carnethies headed over
the wall into the University playing fields (almost a right of way
by now) we were accosted by an 'effing', 'blinding' gentleman with
a dog.
WG and I suggested that it might be civil to leave out the fxxxing
but our words fell on fallow ground. Everyone was a bit upset but
spirits
cheered as we kiltered through the trees round Prestonfield House,
the golf course, over the wall with the angled tree, and onto the
Innocent
and thence up to the flanks of Arthur's Seat. Then straight up to the
top, with the full moon just over the skyline ready to pound our night
vision. Cold, but not a trace of wind, and looking down from the trig
point the moon reflected off the sea, stunning - and Whinney Hill
was
covered in moving lights, an orienteering event. Brisk run down, up
and over Dunsapie (Michael singing a rhyme that shall not be repeated),
the odd slither through the Duddingston woods, and after a long run
(1h 40) a fast jog back via Inch House to collapse at KB for a shower
and to meet up with all and some stalwart latecomers over very welcome
refreshment.
Richard
- 4th November 2009
A dozen mugs and lots of medals
Not to be outdone by the British cycling team,
Carnethy won loads of medals at the Scottish Hill Running Championship
- held over six races from April to October. 12 club members (the most
from any club) completed the championship series and each earned a
valuable
SHR Championship Mug. Well done to : Adrian Davis, Bruce Milne, Colin
Wilson, Gregor Heron, Jacqui Higginbottom, Joan Wilson, Joanne Anderson,
Kate Friend, Lorna Ascroft, Lucy Hailey, Ronnie Gallagher & Stewart
Whitlie (notice that we had 6 women and 6 men completing).
Congratulations also to the medal winners, who were :
Gold Medals - Stewart Whitlie 1st in Over 40 (for the 5th time!); Jacqui
Higginbottom 1st in Over 40 (for the second time); the Mens' Senior
Team; The Men's Over 40 team
Silver Medals - Jacqui Higginbottom 2nd in Senior Women; Adrian Davis
2nd in Over 40; Ladies Senior Team
Bronze Medals - Ronnie Gallagher 3rd in Over 40; Ladies Over 40 Team
Full championship results and all finishers can be found here
- 3rd november 2009
Meall a'Bhuachaille Race - Saturday 31st
October
There was a large Carnethy turnout (16
ran from the club !) at the last Scottish Championship race of 2009-
the Meall a'Bhuachaille Hill Race and the runners were awarded with
a beautiful autumn day - it was lucky the race wasn't the next day
when
the rain hit !
Results
Report
Badaguish was an appropriate new start venue for the Meall a Bhuachaille
Race. With 219 runners the congestion at the old Glenmore Lodge start
would have been a serious problem. Even with the new lengthy run-out
on a wide forest road we were still fighting for access to the best
line through the rocks and heather on the ascent of Creag an Gorm (the
old second summit now being the first). Sunshine and a mildish breeze
made for very good conditions on the ridge. The descent to Creagan
Dubh was on the old course’s line; then we had a rough a heathery
traverse back to the bealach before the bouldery climb up Meall a
Bhuachaille.
Even by this stage there was still congestion, forcing overtakers to
move off the best line (at least where I was a part of the action).
There was a strong wind on the summit as we turned for the bouldery
descent, then worse going as we hit the engineered footpath of pitched
stones that seemed to have been designed to break a runner’s ankle
at the slightest blunder of a foot plant. Colin Wilson had a fall
here,
but escaped serious damage. A brief torrential downpour added to the
challenge as we re-entered the forest. We were spared the old-course
re-ascent from the Reindeer House and had a fast return along the forest
road to Badaguish with only a gentle final climb on the way.
The size of this record field gave most of us plenty of competition
all the way at whatever pace you chose. Many thanks to Russell McKecknie
and his team for a great race. The SHR prizegiving, dinner and ceilidh
rounded off a fantastic day’s entertainment. It was a pity that the
caterers seemed to have adopted a sceptical attitude to the clear
warnings
about hill runners having very large appetites. The quality was fine,
but quantities were particularly frustrating for the late servings.
Sunday delivered a dreich wet and windy day to remind us that winter
has arrived, but it didn’t stop forays into the mountains to wind
down from the race.
Keith Burns
- 1st November 2009
The November Monthly Pentland Run
The Pentland Hills had clear blue skies, minimal
wind and were a lovely temperature for running. The only problem was
that this great weather was on Saturday and we ran on Sunday morning.
Even allowing for the (for once) accurate weather forcast for Sunday
we had numbers hitting double figures for our monthly jaunt into the
hills. The first third or so of our route provided good running, even
with the mildy moist conditions. Once past Baddinsgill the going got
bit heavier though still very runable, passing several walkers and
another
runner to show that it wasn't only us who were playing on the hills.
The climb up East Cairn made us realise how much shelter these hills
had provided on the way up, with the wind making it feel somewhat cooler
and a little more in the way of rain falling over the top. From here
it was literally downhill all of the way, with the saturated hill not
allowing for particulary fast running we sploshed our way down to
North
Esk.
We did avoid the final climb over Patie's Hill, guest runner Jon Whitehead
from EAC suggesting an alternate route back from North Esk reservoir
that he promised would still provide more mud for us to play in. He
was a man of his word and we managed to run through the aforementioned
mud on our way back to Carlops where the Allan Ramsay provided warmth,
food and a very welcome pint.
Andy Millard.
- 28th October 2009
Swanston Night Run
20 runners and one dog met up at Swanston for the first night run of
the season. There were a few first Nightrunners too, and what a great
introduction, mild, clear, moonlit, but unfortunately the "No
Quagmires"
I had advertised has now been reported to the advertising standards
authority. Between Friday lunchtime (when Nick Macdonald and I reconoitred
the route) and today a fair amount of wet stuff seems to have appeared
on the path. New nightrunner Catherine was finding road flats not
too
useful, but at least we could all see where we were going in the moonlight.
Unfortunately the slippy Mud was too much for Mike Baldock's knee
and
he had to retreat for an early beer.
The major climb to the flag on the Capelaw outlier was rewarded with
a volley of fireworks thanks to Nick Macdonald and Bob Waterhouse,
who
not only entertained but also collected the latecomers , Oz and Matt
who had been found following the handicap route. But they lost Keith
Burns who gave up trying to get to Swanston after 40 minutes stuck
on the bypass.
The run along the ridge was wondeful in the mild October weather and
the scree descent from Caerketton was fantastic and a first for Ash,"
I have never run down scree before", unlike our top scree runner
Nick, whos feet were enveloped by his shadow as Headtorched Mike O'Connor
ran past him. The final coup de gras was the light in the face as Mike
glanced at Nick while passing. Nick's forward somersalt scored 9s
from
all the judges.
The meal at The Swanston Golf Club was excellent and well deserved
by all.
A great night out!
Willie Gibson
- 25th October 2009
OMM Results from Wales
Some great Carnethy results at the OMM (or Original Mountain Marathon)
at the weekend and no worldwide headlines, unlike last year! Andy
Fallas
and Sam Hesling have come 3rd in the A class, while Matt Davis (&
Steven Fortune) finished 4th in the Long Score and Helene Whitaker
(with Jonathan Whitaker) came 6th in the Long Score & first mixed
team. Cameron Scott and Gregor Heron finished the B class.
Link to website here.
Reports from Sam Hesling, Andy Fallas, Cameron
Scott and Ian Jackson are here
- 25th October 2009
Beachy Head Marathon - Saturday 23rd October
Our new Journal Editor ( Margaret Forrest), finished her 4th Beachy
Head Marathon on Saturday in 6:32.
" Wet, windy and wild weather, but great fun. Didn't see any
other Carnethy people, but then it was very misty"
One of the top ten marathons in the UK, as voted by Runners World.
This scenic route is one of the most challenging and picturesque,
running through Sussex villages and along the chalk cliffs of the
South Downs. Attracting 1,750 participants. Event
Website.
- 22nd October 2009
Scottish Long Classics Series - final
results
Out of the 40 runners who completed the
Scottish
Long Classics Series, which consists of your 5 best races out
of the 11 long races in the Scottish calendar, Carnethy had the most finishers
of any club with 7 runners. The Carnethy completers who were tough
enough to run at least 5 races (Stewart and Andy did 8 ! ) were:
Stewart Whitlie – 2nd overall and
1st V40 for 2nd year in a row, Jon Ascroft – 2nd senior male,
Andy Fallas – 3rd senior male, Paul Ritchie, Jacqui Higginbottom
– 3rd lady (2nd over 40), Gio MacDonald & Joanne Anderson
- 18th October 2009
British/FRA Relay Champs, Ennerdale
Carnethy had 3 teams down for the weekend at
the western Lake District for this year's FRA relays.
An Open team (or Captains' select team
as both club captains, Steph and Jon, ran in this ! ):
Leg 1 Steph Moss, Leg 2 Tim Darlow & Matt Davis, Leg 3 Jon Ascroft
& Andy Fallas, Leg 4 Helen Bonsor
A Men's V40 team :
Leg 1 Simon Moss, Leg 2 Paul Ritchie & Mark James, Leg 3 Steven
Fallon & Bruce Smith, Leg 4 Adam Ward
and a men's V50 :
Leg 1 Bob Waterhouse, Leg2 Willie Gibson & Keith Burns, Leg 3 Gordon
Cameron & Bob Johnson, Leg 4 John Blair-Fish
A glorious, autumn Saturday - blue sky warm and autumn colours - saw
one car load reccing the course (a very useful idea as a misty mizzly
Sunday saw us all using the info gleaned by the recciers), while others
when for a run over the hills from Braithwaite where we were camping.
Then followed a night at the pub before the big day. In the race, the
teams all started steadily and picked up throughout the race and there
was some quite exciting racing between the Carnethy teams as on most
changeovers there was only minutes between all 3 teams and often just
a few seconds, with each team taking it's turn as the Canrethy premier
team ! In the end the only Carnethy prize winners were Gordon Cameron
and Bob Johnson who were fastest V50s on the navigation leg (run in
thick mist), with the Mens 40 team being the first home for the club
in around 40 place out of the 160 teams entered. At least all the teams
got round the courses with no mishaps, unlike the leading 3 clubs
that
all were disqualified for missing the first control on leg 4, leaving
Borrowdale who thought they had finished 4th to be promoted to winners!
The colourful club tent was a useful focal point and shelter from the
mist and drizzle of race day and stood out in the muddy event field.
All in all a great weekend and once again the FRA Relays were a brilliant
event - the only disappointment was the lack of Carnethy Ladies -
somewhat
unusually we couldn't get a ladies team out as we do most years. But
beware, Steph has this is hand for next year - the training starting
tonight at the Ladies
run !
Report and Photos
Results.
- 18th October 2009
The Circum-Meggetation run
14½ runners gathered at Megget dam for the run.
The weather was perfect, with clear blue sky, sunshine and pleasantly
cool. (In case you are wondering, the half runner was Colin who walked
at half our pace, went half the distance then cycled back.) The run
started northwards up the hill track towards Foulbrig. At the top of
the path we heather-bashed westwards for ¼ mile until we came to the
fence that goes round the head of the Manor valley. By now everyone
was warmed up and enjoying the steady climb towards Dollar Law.
We turned southwards from the Law and had a couple of miles of wonderful
running along the short grassy ridge of the hills to the top of Cramalt
Craig. By now we were getting hungry and looking forward to stopping
for lunch on the top of Broad Law. When we got there, we were surprised
to see an alien spaceship parked on the summit. It was offering rides
for 20 euros a flight but no-one wanted to risk getting abducted.
We
lunched well and set off down the far side of Broad Law. Everyone put
on a spurt(le) for the lesser top of Porridge Cairn. It was followed
by a very steep and heathery descent to the roadside by Meggethead
farm.
A farm track took us round the head of the reservoir and on into the
deep valley of Winterhopeburn. We paused for a while for everyone
to
catch up. As we warmed in the sunshine two golden rams appeared and
seemed to take a great interest in the contents of Jim's rucsack.
Further
up the valley there was a steep and sustained climb to get out onto
the northern top of Muckle Knees. The next mile was over indeterminate
undulating ground towards Gool Knowe. Richard and Rod decided to take
a short cut, which helped them to come in a quarter of an hour after
everyone else. After one more hill top there was a very steep descent
to the dam then over the dam to the car park. It was a great day out
enjoyed by all. The day was rounded off by liquid refreshment at the
Traquair Arms on the way back.
Nigel Rose
- 15th October 2009
Gordon takes the reins - while Bill
and Angela get life !
Last night the club AGM saw lots of new blood
voted into the committee - only three, the secretary (Shane stays
for
one more year), the web master and the men's captain are unchanged.
Gordon Cameron took over from Robin Haynes as President, Paul Ritchie
is the new Treasurer, Kate Friend is Membership Secretary, Stephanie
Moss - Ladies Captain. Margaret Forrest is the new Journal Editor.
Phil
Young will take over from Willie Mykura as Handicapper and Hilary Spenceley
will check the club accounts at the end of the year. New ordinary
members
on the committee are Joanne Anderson, Sam Hesling and Andy Millard.
It is good to see new, young faces and we wish them all the best in
steering the club over the next few years. Two new life
members were voted in - Angela Mudge and Bill Gauld. Both inspirational
and approachable figures with outstanding international pedigrees.
Winners
of the Burns Scott, Scald Law and Allermuir Junior trophies
were voted for and will be announced at the Christmas Party.
- 11th October 2009
Record field on windy day at Pentland Skyline
At the Skyline, the second of Carnethy's double
race weekend, there were a record
170 finishers and 169 of them chased the inspired winner, Oleg
Chepelin from Shettleston, who was over 6 mins clear at the end
having had one
of those "in the zone" runs we all dream about. Murray Strain
(HBT) hung onto 2nd from club mate Dan Gay. Shettleston completed
the
double as Fiona Maxwell won the ladies category (as well as being first
Over 40 woman!) with Carnethy's Jacqui Higginbottom was second woman
and second Over 40! Their was further success for Carnethy with Stewart
Whitlie (first M40, 4th overall), Murdo McEwan (first M50, 31st overall)
and Bill Gauld (first M70, narrowly ahead of Ken Daniels) and they
also picked up both team prizes too. Graham Arthur of Ilkley was first
Over
60 (having run 10 of the 11 Scottish long races this year ! )..
It was sunny and clear, but runners had to fight the wind on the first
half, though were thankful to be blown home in order to get to the
cake
table as soon as possible.
Results (results of previous years here).
Matt Davis of Carnethy won the covetted Man-or
Mouse title, for the combined Manor Water and Pentland Skyline
times, from the 12 brave (or foolhardy!) people who managed it this
year, with
Chris Oliver (HBT) winning the squeaky mouse by just 26 secs from Caroline
Coyle (sorry, this was announced the wrong way round at prize-giving),
due to the late burst Caroline put in at the finish of the Skyline
which unfortunately cost her the mouse (or was it the tactical slowing
down
by Chris that won it for him?).
- 10th October 2009
Manor Water Hill Race (or 50 is the new
'must be' age!)
Colin Donnelly (Lochaber) produced what
must be one of the most outstanding runs in Scotland this year, even
for someone of his pedigree. At the age of 50, he not only won the
race outright (meaning the Over 50 record is now faster than the Over
40
record ! ), but in recording 68:50 he ran an almost unbelievable time
that was only 36 seconds outside the 2006 course record of Brian Marshall
(68:14). This year, Brian could only watch as Colin disappeared into
the distance, as he came home a distant 2nd in 71:03. First woman
was
Kate Jenkins in 80:51, comfortably clear of Carnethy's Lucy Colquhorn
(84:46). The field of 86 was the 3rd largest ever and they enjoyed
a
surprisingly warm (almost too warm for running) autumn day. Carnethy
won the Over 40s prize with Bruce Smith finishing 5th. Bruce, Adam
Anderson
and Andy Spenceley (also under the old 50 record but unfortunately
not quite as much under as Colin!) were first team. The race was sponsored
by Broughton Ales and every finisher was given a bottle of Greenmantle
Beer.
Results
- 4th October 2009
Loch Ness Marathon
The signs were not great when me and Simon Turner
drove up to Inverness on Saturday when keeping the car going in the
right direction through pretty mental wind was a struggle. Waking up
on the Sunday however things were looking good, the skies had cleared
and it turned out to be a perfect day for running. Only three Carnethy
runners (Pamela Whitlie, Simon Turner and Andy Millard) completed
the
undulating course with good runs, though Andy Fallas was also there
running incognito and was the quickest of us by twenty minutes! Stewart
Whitlie was also to be seen on the sidelines supporting Pamela and
shouting encouragement to the rest of us.
At the sharp end of the field a new course record of 2:20:13 was set
by Simon Tonui of Birchfield Harriers, first woman being Joice Kirui
also from Birchfield in 2:48:25. The only disappointment over the weekend
was my discovery that there was Tradewinds (my favourite beer) on
draught
in the food tent afterwards when I had to drive back home.
Andy Millard
- 4th October 2009
Ian Hodgson Mountain Relays, Patterdale, Lake
District
In near perfect running conditions, with clear
hills and in cool autumn air, 68 teams took part in this year's Ian
Hodgson Relay. The Carnethy team was: Leg 1- Brothers Water to Kirkstone
Pass over Red Screes - Adam Ward and (Carnethy for the day) James
Britton;
Leg 2 - Kirkstone, over Thornthwaite Crag and High Street to Hartsop
- Andy Spenceley & Steven Fallon; Leg 3 - Hartsop to Patterdale
via Angle Tarn - Gregor Heron & Bob Johnson; finally the tough
Leg 4 - Patterdale over St Sunday Crag and Fairfield to Brothers
Water -
Angela Mudge and Jon Ascroft. Carnethy came a credible 16th place in
a total time of 4:20 in the very strong field with Borrowdale setting
a new record at 3:34 to win from Pudsey & Bramley and Dark Peak.
Don't know what Jon said to Angela on their run, but afterwards she
ran off to South America (planning to cycle from Ecuador to the bottom
in the next 6 months - hope all goes well, Angela, and see you next
May!).
Results
here and checkpoint
times (splits) here.
- 4th October 2009
Monthly Sunday Pentlands Run
Look what you missed !
Shane led a select group in perfect conditions from Castlelaw on Sunday
morning. Not a recce for the Skyline but a sociable run.
Next one on 1st November (see Social
Page).
- 3rd October 2009
Inaugural Ben Venue Race
Bellahouston Road Runners put on splendid new
race up Ben Venue that deserves a permanent place in the calendar.
The
only thing that didn’t co-operate was the weather. There were warnings
from the Met Office of extreme winds; a triple cold front was blowing
through the Highlands. High sided vehicles were stopped from using
the Forth Bridge; but this didn’t deter 83 enthusiasts from converging
on the Trossachs for the inaugural event. It included a Carnethy team
of
Joanne Anderson, Bruce Smith, Adrian Davis, Keith Burns, Adam Anderson,
and Steven Fallon. The sunshine at the start was welcoming; but the
swaying tree tops were ominous. There was a delay to the start, with
the organisers huddled over radios. The news from the ridge was that
the marshals couldn’t stand up in the gusting wind. It would have to
be the bad weather course; up the tourist track to the bealach and
back
instead of a circuit of the knobbly skyline with heads into the wind.
The track through the forest to the tree line was good underfoot and
fast, more suited to host road runners Bellahouston. The sunny calm
at the forest floor was betrayed only by the whistling in the tree
tops. Emerging from the forest we were hit side on by the gusty, battering
wind. It wasn’t anything particularly unusual at this stage and your
correspondent settled into his familiar battles with familiar faces.
As I was scrambling up the rock steps alongside the foaming waterfall,
one of the descending leaders, having turned at the bealach, hurtled
past me looking like the Creature from the Black Lagoon (Universal
Studios, 1954). I soon discovered why as I plunged thigh deep into
a stinking
fermenting mire at the top of the rock steps. 50 metres from the bealach
turn I rounded a crag and was stopped in my tracks by the wind. The
remaining approach to the cairn was by a near-crawl that came to an
end as I rounded the cairn and was catapulted back downhill by the
fierce
gusts. The rock steps were relatively sheltered on the descent, but
hellishly slippery. Reaching the forest sanctuary was very welcome,
with only a fast sprint on auto-pilot to complete.
The Bellahouston road gang also demonstrated that they’re pretty good
on the rough stuff as well. Most of us agreed that the course shortening
was wise. The exposed ridge would have knocked us around like skittles.
This was a benefit event for the Lomonds Mountain Rescue Team (who
were
enjoying windy survival practice on the ridge). Long may our sport’s
symbiotic relationship with the Mountain Rescue flourish; and thank
you to Bella Road Runners for a very bracing afternoon out.
Carnethy hauled in a good collection of prizes. Results
here
Keith Burns
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