Old News October till December 2010

29th December 2010
Not The Wednesday Night Run
With KB shut and no pint to lure out the Dear Leader I had to get rid of the surplus energy alone. Decided to run from Duddingston by the Loch and packed the microspikes just in case. The pavements clear at last, ran up to the double roundabouts above the commonwealth pool and then right to gain the path under Salisbury Crags. This virtually clear of ice and far below in the mist the only things visible the streetlights and the subterranean spaceship of the Parliament buildings. Down and along for a bit then right and up the lip of the Crags for another misty view. The traversing path off the highest point was ice free but muddy and slippery, making progress difficult. Stumbling back down to the col with the vague shape of the Lion's Haunch looming above then took the traversing path above Hunter's Bog, accompanied by the strangely distorted sounds of a match at the Easter Road stadium; up and around to scale a very slippery Arthur's Seat, Hillend Ski slope masquerading as an inbound aircraft. Over to Crow hill then back down to the Queen's Drive and so back to the van. The microspikes not needed anymore (sadly, as they are the D's B's on sheet ice), and the home made reward of hot spiced rum. Can't get that at KB!
Digby Maass
24th December 2010
The Annual International Club Pub Run

More photos here
19th December 2010
The Great Eskape 2010
After spending the night waking and looking out of the window to see if it was snowing, I was rather relieved when I left Roslin at 7:10 and headed for Carlops in a very slight sleet. I was glad to see Paul and the minibus waiting but where were the rest of the troops?
After a couple of minutes the cars started appearing and after the odd phone call all expected people were in the bus and heading for Penicuik. Joel, Harry and Rod were picked up enroute to Musselburgh and a 8:30 precisely we were at the start and met up with the rest of the troops and with the snow gently falling and a slight tail wind we were off!
The new snow covered the the icy track well allowing a steady pace into Dalkeith Estate and after a snowball fight with a few triathletes we met up with Digby. He was a little concerned that he was about to run further that he had ever done before but he was sporting a large smile.
With the mobile ringing constantly with messages from expected runners dropping out and others joining in we were soon through Lasswade and enjoying hot juice at Polton.
We met WIn, Mike and Jamie in Roslin Glen and after thinking we had lost 5 at the Gunpwder Mill we were soon on the Railway run and got to The Royal Hotel in Penicuik at 1:20. Meeting Cali, Bob, Moi and Joanne we all scoffed our Bacon Rolls with lashings of hot tea and coffee.
losing 5 and gaining 4 we headed on through Penicuik Estate in to the snowy wilds.

The views were stunning if the pace was a bit trudgy, and the weary legs took us over the snow covered wastes to a Beautiful Amazon dean and on to a warm welcome in The Allan Ramsay.
What a spectacular day with a great group of happy people.
As for the bad weather, it was WONDERFUL!
The Whole Way Team: Willie Gibson, Nick Macdonald, Jasmin Paris, Gregor Heron, John Littlewood, James Hardie, Jane Jackson, Rod Dalitz, Paul Ritchie, Matt Davis, Jason Hubert, Gio Macdonald, Joel Sylvester, Brian Waldie and almost all Digby Maass.
To Penicuik only: Ben Bate and Harry Gilmore
Roslin to Penicuik: Jamie Taylor, Mike Browne and Win Rampen
Penicuik to Carlops: Bob Waterhouse, Cali Ingham, Moira Stewart and Joanne Thin
full report
Willie Gibson

14th December 2010
December Monday Lunchtime Arthurs Seat Handicap
After the blizzard of last week and an avalanche of no-shows a plucky nonet of explorers set out on the frozen wastes of Arthurs Seat for the years final lunchtime handicap. The previously deep snow had turned to hard packed ice. Treacherous in places and the icy col after the crags caught out MikeR (before he could catch me) and he retired hurt (fortunately without breaking anything). The remaining eight of us took turns at visiting the tinselled Christmas tree bedecked summit through a variety of routes to avoid the ice.
Despite not risking the thin ice of Dunsapie Loch, Gordon led James up Whinny, only to be passed before the finish - start-time discrepancies though meant the result could be termed a dead-heat. Lots of tiptoeing through the dry dam skating rink brought the rest of us home safely but well down on the handicap. MikeL's trip around the slower contour path meant those of us starting later and heading up the other way passed him without realising and had b*ggered off back to work by the time he made it back (sorry Mike).
Even worse news for Mike is that due to the conditions we'll not be adjusting the handicaps based on the times.

*Runner*	*Dec Start Time*	*Run time*	*fin time*	*Fin Order*	*Time Order*
James Jarvis	12:28:38	00:32:46	13:01:24	1	3
Gordon Cameron	12:26:35	00:34:49	13:01:24	1	5
Bruce Smith	12:31:05	00:30:23	13:01:28	3	1
Jamie	12:29:58	00:32:36	13:02:34	4	2
Cameron B	12:28:02	00:34:40	13:02:42	5	4
Andy W	12:17:03	00:47:00	13:04:03	6	7
Eddie	12:25:06	00:39:18	13:04:24	7	6
Mike L	12:19:55	00:49:50	13:09:45	8	8

Mike R - rtd hurt
Next handicap will be the second Monday in January (weather permitting!)
Bruce Smith

9th December 2010
Wednesday Night Training - 8th December

A half-dozen of hardy souls headed out into the fluffy powder of Braids Hill and Mortonhall last night, and what a night it was! Clear skies, the twinkle of a head torch up on Allermuir, and still un-touched powder to lollop/wade through. Exhausting, but Fiona's snow angels helped distract us from those achy thighs.
On the other side of the city meanwhile, a trio of (James) Hardie souls led by Sam headed out for a more 'intense' workout up on Arthurs seat. Everyone (even accident prone me) made it safely back to KB for a deserved pint, but alas, with the bar closing promptly (very promptly) at 9pm it was a very swift pint indeed.
Same time, same place, same conditions next week? I for one certainly hope so.
Chris Henty
8th December 2010
A Morning run down Whitehouse Loan
7th December 2010
Carnethies in the snow - continued

We have seen heroic tales of ski adventures by Carnethies in the Pentlands. For those of more modest skiing ability, or no skis at all, there is still the problem of finding places to run. Places like Corstorphine Hill or the Braid Hills have an excellent network of footpaths but the snow tends to get trodden down by other walkers and the paths become icy and treacherous. Fear not - I've just tried out a pair of Kahtoola Microspikes. They are absolutely brilliant for running on snow & ice - lightweight, superb grip and easy to put on. You very quickly forget that you are wearing them - remember to take them off before you return to the hall carpet!
Nigel Rose
5th December 2010
Pentlands Ski-line

There was a rare conjunction of favourable snow cover, wind strength, temperature, inclination and very generous family diplomatic compliance on Saturday. It allowed a small group to set off from Hillend at dawn for the first of the winter’s Pentlands-Skyline-by-ski expeditions. First stage boosters Olly and Nigel F coaxed Jamie and Keith out of the car park and onto the Siberian landscape. Cloud and spindrift denied us a sunrise over Allermuir, which we crossed too early for our rendezvous with Bob J, our summit marshal. By the Castle Law descent the sun was out and it made the occasional falls a bit more tolerable.
First humans were passed on the sunny ascent of Turnhouse into a searing wind blowing up spindrift on the ridge; but the sun was out, the clouds were away, and prospects looked very promising. We found generous portions of wind pack all the way to West Kip, and the wind was eased off after Carnethy summit. By East Kip, Keith had a growing problem with a split skin-tip exacerbated by equally ominous trouble matching Jamie’s determined pace. Bad snow over Black Hill could spell a night shift finish with the developing game plan. So Keith nobly played the Capt. Oates gambit at the drove road and launched Jamie off alone for the long end game, whilst he ruefully coasted down the glen to the Howe (but still having to detour to circumvent the avalanchy slopes by the gorge waterfall).
Jamie carried on ...risking divorce or worse (“I'll only be out for a few hours”). Now it was 5 hours and counting. “I was only half-way round, with a double incentive to get moving. I had done most of the steep terrain with Keith. Now it was the more rolling ground, better suited to my 2m long Nordic skis. I zipped round the drove road and up Hare Hill with no sign of any grass or heather. There was a lovely glide off Hare Hill, and interesting linking turns down the steep drop off into Green Cleuch, the bog well frozen and under several feet of snow. So I still had dry feet for once.”
“ The climb up Black Hill was swift with wind on my back on mostly solid wind pack. Then Black Hill bit back with grim sections of breakable crust. You start gliding on the surface then just when you are reaching peak velocity you break through the crust. Tips catch on the heather underneath and you are catapulted forward onto your face! But I was getting better at reading the snow in the low afternoon light and picked lines on the firmer wind pack. Up Bells Hill and Harbour Hill I was belting along, benefiting from the steady pace early on. Bob J and his neighbour met me with a flask of coffee at the gate between Capelaw and Allermuir. Then I was racing the setting sun back along the ridge for the last steep plunge down off Caerketton on skis which aren't designed for turning!”
“ I crossed the finishing line and stopped my watch, at 7hrs 50mins, with a wee whoop of elation having finished in a flourish. Two bemused visitors from Canada were watching and took great interest in my classic 3-pin Nordic binding which they seemed to think were antique! I swapped tales of winter weather with the Canadians, and then Keith gave me a lift back to face the music from Joanne! (but not until we downed a swift drink in the Steading!)”
Quite a day
Jamie, Keith
4th December 2010
Caerketton Uphill

Definitely not a race and despite the avalanche risk Cody and I made the ascent of Caerketton in a record 47.5mins following the downhill route. Thigh deep snow meant Cody needed rescued a couple of times. Kicking steps to reach Hillend and then along the top of the wall to Caerketton to the snowboarders. Olly and Nigel were skiing and will verify the crazy descent to ski centre. Cody not happy but I had a wonderful time !
Gordon Cameron
2nd December 2010
The Weds Night Run Reports - 1st December
Let it shnow, let it shnow, let it shnow!
The Wednesday night run was a solo pursuit this week, as the conditions brought out a record (?) low turnout of just one. Still, keep the fire burnin' an' all that, so off across the car park I crunched... Mistake number one was to head over the golf course behind KB, which proved to be an exhausting flounder through seemingly bottomless powder - reaching the Observatory, there was a danger of mimicking John Hurt in Alien, as my heart pounded against the wall of my thoracic cavity. The main route up Blackford was fine, then there was a lovely descent into the beautifully serene and surreal snow covered woods in the glen. Once on the Braids golf course, it was a case of following the tracks/trenches of those who'd gone before - much like Alpine mountaineering, though without the crampons. Or an axe. Or a mountain. Though if conditions continue, a small hanging glacier is predicted to form in a hollow on the north side of Blackford hill around 2.30pm next Tuesday. Down through Mortonhall woods, the Inn was the Stables...though there was no light - closed early due to "Adverse Weather" - as if on cue, flakes started falling. So, a quick (yeah, right, who am I kidding??) yomp back over the shoulder of Braids home. No pictures, 'cos, well, I didn't have a camera. Not that there would have been much point - no camera can capture how stunning a night like that is out in these conditions!
Billy No-Mates (Oz to some!)

After looking forward to a run all day, I bounded into KB looking for other like-minded souls ready for a gallop in the snow. Alas the meeting point was empty, and the girl in the janitor's office hadn't seen anyone. Ah well, it looked like it's off. However, as the only Carnethy/person there I felt a duty to make sure the Carnethy Wednesday Night Social Run went ahead, even if the word "social" no longer applied. After all, standards must be maintained. So we (the royal "we") ascended Blackford Hill, then turned around to follow the 7 Hills route to Arthurs Seat, helping a young lady to push her car free from the snow on the way. Up to the summit of Arthurs Seat against a steady flow of snowboarders and sledgers, then a joyous snowy descent back down to Newington and my flat. A big thanks to my wife for providing food and refreshments after the run.
James Hardie
30th November 2010
How Carnethies beat the snow
After running with some difficulty through the 2 foot of snow between Roslin and Bush this morning, I was surprised to see a figure effortlessly floating gracefully across the car park. It was Joel sporting his new running snowshoes. Willie Gibson

"A bit of snow doesn't stop a Carnethy getting to work. Mind, I was the only person in the building...
For those that are wondering, they are Atlas running snow shoes I obtained through a colleague working in Calgary. Lightweight and excellent over Scottish mixed terrain." Joel Sylvester
30th November 2010
Vertical Kilometre Race Ravinna - Sunday November 7th
Not quite vertical but with over 1 Km ascent in only 3 km, probably the steepest sustained climb that I can recall either running or walking. Up the lower slopes of Mount Bondone a popular outdoor activities area near Trento, analogous to the Pentlands but rising to over 2000 metres. Fortunately the start was at only 200m altitude so less chance of snow by the top. In fact relatively mild on the day but with low cloud and rain. The flyer for the race had a photo of a guy edging round a precipitous buttress so I was somewhat apprehensive of doing that in a race ,especially in the wet!. However this turned out to be a shot of a top climber who had since fallen from a simple footpath descending after a big climb. The race was a memorial event with the 20 euro entry fee going to a school in Nepal that he helped set up.
Arrived 2 hours before the start to be sure of getting spare clothes on the transport to the top then sheltered in the car. Walking up to the start I noticed at 5 minutes to go people moving off and joined the tail end thinking the start proper must be higher up. After 5 minutes asked where the start was and told that the race had already started, before time , to avoid runners standing in the rain!. Those at the back seemed only intent on getting up within the 2 ½ hour time limit. Not amused I then started running and getting past the backmarkers. This was OK on the initial paths through the vineyards but the really steep track was single-width and most people were using sticks. Very frustrating and the possibility of a poke in the face. Many sprints and scrambles up the sides of the track to pass people. Finished in 1 hour 30 secs , 109th out of 295 finishers so must somehow have passed over 180 on the way.
Over the top managed to change and recover on tea and snacks in a jam packed tent then a walk to the shuttle bus and back to a great meal in the sports hall. The race video shown during the meal consisted of a succession of unrecognisable ghostly figures toiling through swirling mists. Must do this track on a fine day with fewer people!.
An article in the current Fellrunner on relative speeds of ascent and descent in hill running notes the number of Vertical Kilometre races in the Alps and the difficulty of finding suitable hills in the UK. Ben More near Crianlarich is suggested as a possibility!.
Brian Waldie
29th November 2010
Carnethy Women out playing in the snow
Carnethy Women (with Bill) had a great time on Monday evening running round about and over Blackford Hill. In the Dog Walkers' Field at the Braid Road end of the Hermitage, we saw a snow-sheep grazing in the white grass and a snowman and his dog sitting on the bench admiring the view. There was snow need for torches because of all the white stuff, but it was still tricky to take photos with my flashless phone, though I'm sure you can work out who was there. Steph's wonderful carrot and coriander soup and delicious lemon drizzle cake (Ed: you're making me feel hungry ) rounded off the evening perfectly.
28th November 2010
November Snow
What do you do when the cross-country race you're supposed to be running in is cancelled due to deep snow blocking the roads? Well, you just put on your skis and set off from your front door, past the stuck buses, fighting your way through the blizzard, avoiding the obvious mountain dangers (i.e. avalanches; flying kids on sledges; snow seracs; extendable dog leads, crevasses; large snowballs being pushed down the slope), to eventually bag a summit. Andy Spenceley
28th november 2010
Glentress Duathlon - Medium

With 5 inches of snow by 5:30 in the morning in Roslin I thought the chances of the Glentress Duathlon going ahead was minimal. After checking the web and seeing that the Edinburgh Bypass was closed I went back to bed and looked forward to an easy sunday. Pete baxter was going to email by 9am if the Duathlon was cancelled, no email arrived. At 9:45 (with the Roslin snow now 8 inches deep), after trying to phone Pete, he called me from " A sunny Red Squirrel car park, the route was a little snowy but fine", Peebles had missed the snow dump!
Richard Woollcombe had travelled from Aberdeen to stay with us before the race, he decided that getting back home was more important so headed north. I phone Bob and Cali to hitch a lift in a 4 by 4 and we set off for Glentress.
The snow was minimal by Eddleston and sure enough Glentress was beautifully sunny, but a little cold. 61 racers managed to brave the conditions and the race started over a lower level course. It was surprisingly grippy on the climbs and the course took us up the blue and back down a nice walkers track. The inability to slow down easily was a little alarming, but I think all the cyclists got round and back to the Red Squirrel to start the run.
The run took us up up and more up for about 25 minutes to some lovely views over the Border Hills and then back down the same way. A lovely route and the social gathering at the finish had a real party atmosphere with lots of exhilerated competitors and hot soup!
Carnethy did fairly well at the prize giving, Adam Anderson was 3rd (gaining lots of places on the run), I was 2nd V50 with Bob Waterhouse 3rd V50 and Keith Adams (Westie - Carnethy) was 4th V50, Cali Ingham was 1st FV50. Our car was well laden with booze on the way home!
Many thanks to Pete, Elsie and all the marshals who worked so hard to allow the event ro run so smoothly.
Results on www.glentressduathlon.com
Willie Gibson
27th November 2010
Water of Leith Half Marathon

This year's unofficial Water of Leith half marathon was looking slightly dubious at about 11:30 Friday evening as the snow swirled down my street and the wolves howled in the Almond woods. However on Saturday morning the snow looked runable, and the sun was even shining, although making a very poor job of raising the temperature above zero. Consequently by 9.30 about 50 intrepid runners were being briefed on the route while a determined coach driver made his way up the hill behind Balerno. Sadly the organizers carefully laid flour markers were now lying under several cms of snow, but undaunted they had managed to remark the course with a more contrasting red paint.
The race is a handicap so the faster runners had the longest to shiver, and hence an incentive to run faster. Slightly surprisingly Lucy Colquhoun went off 4 minutes before me (stories of treating the race as a 13.5 mile off-road icy warm-up run). However, as we know, the handicapper is always right. The stretch down the old railway line to Lanark Road was a bit like running in Santa's grotto, and it's definitely the first time I've passed a skier on the WOL (or on any half marathon). Further into town the icy patches increased but things were still pretty good underfoot. By Stocksbridge runners were bunching up nicely and we had some exciting finishes on possibly the most icy part of the course. Sadly the usual excellent refreshments were stranded in the snow in Perth so we had to adjourn to the Waterline pub as quickly as possible to rehydrate.
Thank to Peter Buchanan, Richard Dennis, Jim & Mandy McFarlane for a great race.
Phil Young
24th November 2010
Club Night Run, Crammond, organiser Phil Young
On a beautiful cold moonlit night 15 Carnethies met up at Crammond Inn for the night run. Some ran to the run, some cycled and others arrived using less enegetic means. After taking over Digby's camper van as a gear store we headed up the Almond.
I had a slight altercation with a tree stump, close replicated by Nick Macdonald (only he did it better) who landed on top of me, but we just got up (depite the blood) and carried on to Peggy's Mill, then onward to the Crammond Brig where we regrouped. After a short rest we headed on to The Grotto Bridge and through the spooky woods of Cammo Estate (where Brian Howie left to run home). After visiting the ruins of Cammo House we headed down the east bank of the Almond back to Crammond (meeting Matthew Grove on the way) and out to the Island.
A short climb led to the summit and after visiting every building on the island we headed back to The Crammond Inn for a well earned pint and some food. Some how we managed to log 8 miles! Maybe we deserve an extra pint.
Thanks to Phil Young for organising the run and the tides!
Willie Gibson
24th November 2010
Typhoon strands tanker (???)

The recent strike by BBC journalists means that a number of news items have been missed by our readers. One such item concerns an oil tanker which was stranded by a freak wave during a recent typhoon in the South China Sea. The tanker was lifted high into the air by the wave and deposited on top of a hotel complex. Fortunately there was no loss of life during the incident. Thousands of people have flocked to see the unusual sight. The authorities are concerned that the tanker is in an unstable condition and could topple to the ground at any moment. They have cordoned off the area and sightseers are "discouraged" from approaching too closely.
Nigel Rose
22nd November 2010
East District Cross Country League - Broxburn 20/11/10
cold rain shower? Check
nasty cold wind? Check
scrubby unproductive land on the edge of an old industrial town? Check
large range of wiry runners aged from 9 to 79? Check
home made number '21v' pinned to chest? Check
Right, this must be the East District Cross Country League meeting at Broxburn.
In amongst the sheltering figures on the bleak scrubland above my house were the elite of East and Central Scotland, some big name hill runners mixing it with some big name roadies and trackies (as well us lesser lights). All venturing off-hill, off-road and off-track for a bit of winter competition.
Since it is only 5 minutes across the fields from my back door and entry is free I couldn't really find an excuse not to attend, but the rain bouncing of my roof 15 minutes before the start almost persuaded me.
The inclement weather also led me to miss Jacqui Higginbotham and Kate Friend running for Carnethy in ladies race with Jacqui coming home first vet.
Lining on the start for the mens race start I found myself hiding in the pack amongst the part-time Perthshire participant Colin Wilson (Joan had already run in the earlier ladies race), temporary Dundonian Des Crowe, a flurry of familiar Ferranti figures, a brownian motion of Boggies, not to mention a promenade of Portobellos and an outreach of Ochils. We set off bang on 2:30 for 3 laps of an undulating grassland course, which had been upgraded over the winter to have a large stretch of gravel path. After last winter when the old path was hard packed snow it made for a lot faster outward part of the first lap, especially if, like me you were sheltering behind a horde of faster bodies ploughing into the cold Easterly drizzle. The first lap passed in a blur of bodies, the second lap likewise, this time most of them were passing me and the blur was caused by the increasing ferocity of the rain.
As other family members of some of the guys had already been for their run in the preceding junior and ladies races there was a smattering of support around the course for the runners. Cries of "HBT", "come on dad", etc, to the runners around me alerted me to guys closing in. I glanced over my shoulder at a turn on the last lap, looking for Des, whose lad had just won the U17 race and who reeled me in on the last lap at Dunfermline last year, alerted me instead to Jon Stevenson (whose lad was 3rd in U17 race). This spurred me on for the last half lap, Jon getting closer with each stride until we reached the top of the last wee climb and a blast round the mud at the top corner took me past a Falkirk Vic's vest, who in turn must also have seen Jon approaching and an almighty sprint into the finishing funnel ensued. All for 57th place.
Hard work, cold, wet, (not too) muddy and with a fast field that was Murray Strain pipped for victory by reigning Scottish cross country champion (and commonwealth games athlete) Alastair Hay.
Great fun but I was glad a hot bath was only 10 minutes away from the finish.
Next East league meeting is at nearby Livingston in January, but until then there's always the borders XC series to keep the racing muscles fresh.
results at www.eastleague.co.uk
Bruce Smith
22nd November 2010
Ochils Journey Run - Sat 20th November

The Ochils journey run on Saturday was well attended, with eleven Carnethies, four fellow runners from Gala Harriers and two dogs. We assembled in the centre of Dollar beside the new-fangled public toilet. It had a novel way of collecting money from the public – you could get in for free but it cost 20p to lock the door. The weather forecasts were not very good and we could see low cloud sitting hard down on the hills....more
17th November 2010
Kings Buildings Talk Report
Bob Johnson - anything and everything !
Casey Morgan - hill running injuries - diagnosis, recovery and prevention
The first of (hopefully) several winter talks were kicked off in fine fashion by our very own Bob Johnson. I had tried to summarise what Bob talked us through but to be honest I think he touched on anything and everything. From diesel freezing through to finite element analysis it was all there. Massive thanks to Bob for warming up the crowd in such fine fettle.
Following Bob, Casey Morgan stepped up to deliver what has been described by everyone I have spoken as a first class talk on hill running injuries.
It was pretty clear from the outset that Casey knew his audience (hill runners), knew his sports science, and knew precisely how to embarrass me. Not only do I have a gammy back but a rubbish bum too... I really hope that everyone present was able to take something away from the evening. This will be the first of several to be run throughout the dark winter months to keep us all psyched.
** Stop press ** We have our speaker for the 8th of December and very popular it'll be. ..full details on Social Page here, so.... keep the evening of the 8th free, get the popcorn in and lets settle down for what is guaranteed to be an excellent event.
Sam Hesling
16th November 2010
Carnethy Women in Dalmeny - Mon 15th November
On Monday evening Carnethy Women (with Bill) enjoyed a wonderful waterside run through Dalmeny estate and along the banks of the Forth. There was a large ship attached to the place where the tug boats usually hang out, just off shore. The whole area was a dazzling island of lights. Further east, the shoreline was darker and quieter and the view across the Forth was tranquil. A warm welcome and delicious soups awaited us at Lucy's house - coconut corn, spiced apricot and lentil with bacon. Scrumptious! My phone can't take photos in the dark, but I thought you'd like to see some of the dainty and delicious cup cakes baked by Lucy and enjoyed by all of us ;o). Details of next women's runs here (recipies are kept secret!).
Margaret Forrest
14th November 2010
The Run & Become Tinto Hill Race
The Run And Become Tinto Hill Race has in recent years attracted large fields, and in particular seems popular with novice hill runners. It's easy to see why, a relatively short straight up and down course on a well defined path and then soup and rolls afterwards back at registration in Symington. Throw in a vast improvement in the weather, though conditions were very slow underfoot, and you've got the makings of a great day out for all concerned. Shettleston's Jethro Lennox was first home, for the 5th time, in 32:01, followed by Al Anthony of Ochils in 32:43. Andy Fallas and John Mitchell were the first Carnethies home with 34:26 and 34:35, taking 6th and 7th place. Angela Mudge was first lady with 35:38 with another Over 40, Fiona Maxwell of Shettleston, taking the 2nd spot . 264 runners finished, the second highest total ever, of which 42 were Carnethies!

A big thanks to everyone who helped make my first time at organising this race a success.
Cameron Scott
Results are on Tinto race page
7th November 2010
Club Sunday Run, Carlops
A round dozen people (actually, more like a skinny dozen) turned up on a glorious sunny day for the November club Pentlands Run. The run organiser, Shane, organised the run remotely via text while he sat at home drinking hot cocoa, meanwhile the rest of us ran through the first snow of the year, which covered all the tops, and plenty of deep heather and mud following the pseudo leader, Keith Burns. On the return run to Carlops a visit was made to the Petrifying Well on the slopes of The Mount (after lots of consulting of maps), or at least a muddy bog that Keith claimed was the Petrifying Well marked on the OS map. Back in Carlops we were introduced to Win Rampen's dark, curvy, French companion, Celeste (pictured below as she was worth a photo!)
3rd November 2010
The Cross de la Cuerda Larga - 24th October
Report from our Spanish correspondent ,where it is now cool enough to wear a T-shirt !

"I send you some pictures of Ramon running in the 'Cross de la Cuerda Larga', a mountain race of approximately 19.5 km to nearly 2000 m of accumulated slope that was the past 24th of October.
This race is not circular, so I had to leave them in one place (Puerto de la Morcuera) and go to a a different place (Puerto de Navacerrada). The weekend was fine even though it's raining right now"
Un besazo .
Ana Perez
1st November 2010
OMM Reports from Dartmoor - Sat/Sun 30th/31st October
Craig O'Donnell on the Long Score:-
So this year's OMM event was in Dartmoor – having done the event in 2008 (the Great Storm of Borrowdale) and 2009 (Elan Valley) – I was looking forward to seeing what this area has to offer.
The long drive down on Friday, arriving in the dark at Okehampton camp to find a parking spot and suitable tent pitch was largely un eventful. A quick wander, before settling into the tent and trying to get some sleep. As I had packed my “good” sleeping bag into my OMM pack already – it was down to my “rubbish” sleeping bag to keep me slightly above ambient temperature.
As with the previous 2 OMMS, my partner in Grime, Adam Spiller (Alnwick Harriers) and I had decided on the Long Score, both eager for a Gold Standard this time. Day 1 started with a bus ride to the start location which was surprisingly in quite warm sunshine so it was off with a layer or 2.
We quickly decided on doing a fairly large loop of the map and after a quick start on some good tracks we settled into a good rhythm of army style marches up hills and trying to run as much of the downhill sections as we could.
Conditions were very wet underfoot and some very slow sections through overly tussocky ground that certainly tested the mental resolve. However, we arrived at the mid camp point in a fairly respectable 31st position. The tent was quickly pitched before the rain and wind enveloped the camp site for the rest of the day/night.
Day 2 dawned with apprehension – cloud levels were fairly low obscuring some of the higher tops and the rain was present – however it was relatively mild. I had calculated the night before that 340 points on Day 2 would probably get us a Gold standard. So with map in hand, off we went.
It was apparent from the map, that it was quite a long way to the finish location, so not much choice of deviating off a straight line route. We decided to head for the high scoring points at the top of the map. Getting there would likely involve lots of peat bogs, tussocks and generally saturated ground!
Progress was good, notching up the early low scoring checkpoints despite being unable to find a particular 10 pointer (Mistake 1 - can sheep move checkpoints?). After crossing a waist deep river and then a long slog up onto fairly exposed hillside we were starting to feel the chill a bit with the driving wind and rain.
We made a decision to leave the 60 point checkpoint as we were unsure how much time we would over run (2 points lost for every minute late after finish time) if we went for it and there were several checkpoints close to the finish line we could bag instead.
We headed down the valley to the river hoping to cross (Mistake 2) and were informed by some race marshalls at the swollen river that crossing it is not advisable and that we may want to head 1/2km downriver to the bridge. So down we went, crossed the river and then slogged up a rather steep embankment. The final run in seemed to last for ages and we were convinced we were running out of time so we didn’t take in the last 2 checkpoints (Mistake 3).
The final sprint to the finish and a look at the clock – 10 minutes to spare! We would have had time for more points. .. .
In the end, 6 points off Gold standard, 28th overall, some very sore shin muscles and a few frustrating "What Ifs". If only some ned sheep had not moved the earlier checkpoint!
Ian Jackson on the Medium Score:-
I was there too, doing this event for the 17th time with 4th partner, Claire Steward in the medium score class. Excellent weather on Saturday turned to heavy rain overnight and for much of Sunday. Our (my!) decision to miss an easy 30 point control on the run in still rankles; it cost us more than 20 places. Still, on the positive side we were 56th of 106 vets, although I can't work out how they calculate the vet handicaps! And it was a great way to see Dartmoor.
Angela storms round Elite
For Angela Mudge the OMM was was a chance to run on home ground as that is where she comes from. Whether it was local knowledge or just being fast, she stormed round the two days of racing to finish an incredible 4th place overall in the Elite class, easily beating Pentland Skyline winner Murray Strain who, along with Dan Gay, finished 7th Results
1st November 2010
Monthly Monday lunchtime Arthur's Seat Handicap
Another whopping turnout again this month. Thanks to everyone who made the effort, it made for some good close nip and tuck racing.
Good to see newbie Corrie along, although probably a baptism of fire with the reverse route, but with old hand Andy to show her around (not to mention where the free car-park is), she survived unscathed, posting a decent time despite the conditions and a few longer routes.
Despite claiming to have tired legs after his 33:20 at yesterday SLAC 10K, Mike made short work of catching me up. Dragging Stewart along in the process. All three of us outflanked Jamie who was taking a diretissimo line through the gorse between Whinny and Dunsapie. A variety of routes ensued as the runners hauled themselves up to the climb to summit either via Crow or en-route to it. Don't think anyone risked the gutted haddie, which was probably quite wise, although we did seem to pick up a couple of joggers en-route, Tom and Mike both putting paid to the chap that tried to follow us up the crags. Cam's route proved the slower route than James, Gordon and myself as we stuck to the lower path all the way up the crags. Paul held me off on the final descent and Eddie made the most of his seemingly still generous handicap, but was pipped to the finishing line by Stewart, who's superior bumsliding down the final slope nabbed him a maiden handicap win, with Mike not far back.
Tom won the prize for the most impressive toboggan to the finish, and fortunately Mike finished without cracking (his ankle again).
Bruce Smith
31st October 2010
Meall a'Bhuachaille - Sat 30th October
The strong winds towards the end of the week had receded somewhat to leave pretty good conditions for the race, with clear skies and although a little chilly it was a good temperature to run. Seven Carnethies made the journey up to Aviemore for this one with a field of 116 lining up at the start.
The race starts along a track then turns towards the hills with the going getting softer leading to the heathery ascent with overtaking pretty difficult. Well, especially difficult for me as my lack of hills over the last three months had really taken its toll on my hill fitness and I struggled from the start. I was about three folk behind Bruce Milne on the first climb and tried to keep pace with him
which I was doing until the the first summit after which it felt like I got overtaken by everyone.
After the first short descent and contour around to the second climb I managed to fall in the boggy bit just before the climb, thus avoiding any rocks although I am still at a loss as to how I managed to trip over a blade of grass however.
The second climb follows a path with lots of stones and some steps, not really the best for running on. Bruce passed me going downhill when I still had a fair bit of climb to do and that was the last I saw of him until the finish. Once the top was reached it was downhill all the way until the finish! Well, that's not quite true as after the main descent you end up with about a mile of track with a gradual climb just made to rub in my lack of hill strength. I was also beginning to wander with the amount of people overtaking me whether some were doing a second lap of the course...
The race was won by the frankly scarily fast Robbie Simpson (Deeside) in a course record of 50:35, a whole five minutes ahead of Dan Whitehead (Cosmic) with Craig Mattocks (HBT) in third after he reeled in Alex Kieth on the long run in to the finish. Clare Whitehead (Cosmic) was first woman, finishing under the hour mark.
For the Carnethies Andy F had another strong run to finish in 5th in 56:40. Bruce was next (38th), followed some considerable time later by me (56th), Colin W (67th), Keith B (75th) just four seconds and one place ahead of Joan W with Helen Bonsor not far behind in 81st.
Tea, cakes and sandwiches (and Mars bars cut in half!) were our reward for the race with thanks to Highland Hill Runners for organising. Provisional results on the SHR site.
Andy Millard
31st October 2010
A Welsh Ultra
I was brought up in Hereford, so the chance to run 30 miles round the Black Mountains in SE Wales, where I was first introduced to the joys of hill walking and running 30 odd years ago was too good to miss despite the fact it gave rise to a very complicated travel plan to enable me to be at work in central London shortly afterwards. The race was a long loop around the outer hills including 4 steep ascents, long downhills and great undulating ridge running, mostly over good paths and tracks but including a good sample of the wet peaty bog that characterises many of the hills in the area - all starting and ending at a pub near Talgarth.
Overnight heavy rain wrecked the plans to use a local field as a car park, so, arriving a tadge late, I double parked and left my keys with one of the the organisers and jogged to the start in a rather wet rough track doubling up as a stream. We hit the first climb almost straight away and just about everyone resorted to a walk except for some poor bloke who had entered with his husky and was now being towed uphill at an unsustainable rate. Cresting the ridge after a 1000 feet a climb the route immediately led us down a long gradual downhill - fantastic running, enough gradient to stretch the legs but not so steep to wreck the quads so early in the race. This lasted for about 5 miles before two sharp 1000 feet climbs and descents led to the bottom of Hatterall Ridge and the longest and steepest climb of the race. Once on the ridge we had 7 miles along a gently undulating ridge towards Hay Bluff and what could have been fantastic views over Wales and the Marches - however the relatively benign weather we'd had until then turned into low cloud, strong winds and squally rain so there was little to be seen.
The last 5 miles, over the rather bizarrely named Lord Hereford's Knob, were straight into the weather and through the boggiest bits, so it was a case of head down and keep going, which was fine until the dreaded cramp hit me which meant I couldn't jump over any of the wet bits as anything other than a short stride led to both legs immediately seizing up. I was a bit concerned at this point as I didn't have time to walk the remaining distance if I was to get to work on schedule, but a packet of crisps, a slower pace and a lot of talking to myself seemed to sort things out for the long descent to the finish.
I was happily surprised to see that I'd completed the course in 5 hours 18 minutes and was 15th (of 88 starters) but less happy that the gent I'd left my car key with had left the area - with my car key. Fortunately it re-appeared about 40 minutes later so I still had time to drive to Crewe, get a train to London, a quick shower and bite to eat and then go to work for the night.
All in all a good day out.
This race was the first in a series of 3 ultra races, the second, in December is 40 miles over the Brecon Beacons and the final one a 50 mile run in the upper Wye Valley in March. More details and results
Alun M-L
28th October 2010
Hallowe'en Night Run - Wed 27th October
It was not a good start - torrential rain and wind - but that did not put off the 30+ Carnethies who gathered at Bonaly for the first night run of the winter season. The bar menu suffered in the rain but we managed to make and phone our choices through before the band of head torches set off up White Hill and on to Allermuir via Capelaw. No sign of the moon ( it didn't rise until about 9pm ) so it was difficult to see who was there in the wet and windy conditions but there were some first timers. The Stag and Hen bar was closed so we went on over Capelaw - and the rain stopped - as we ascended Harbour Hill. A lovely starlit night unfolded and as we reached the summit we were met by a superb fireworks display brought to us by our own pyrotechnic Nick who had sneaked up by the Bells Hill route from Torduff. It was then a fast descent back to Bonaly and 20+ went on to the Spylaw Inn for a superb meal. Michael's makeup was running but he had certainly made the effort to respond to the fancy dress call.
Gordon Cameron
Report from the fireworks maestro here
26th October 2010
The Run of the Mill Hill Race - 24th October 2010
Seven Carnethies were out on the Ochils on Sunday for inaugural Run of the Mill hill race, a new event organised by Chris Upson to raise funds for the upkeep of the Scottish Hillracing web site. At 14km with 910m ascent it covers some ground that will be familiar to anyone who has ran Dollar, Maddy Moss or the Ochil 2000 races earlier in the year. Feedback from the runners seems very positive so hopefully this race will be a permanent addition to the race calendar. There were 127 finishers with Al Anthony winning in a time of 1:12:22. Carnethies Sam Hesling and Andy Fallas took second and third spot with 1:14:04 and 1:15:05 respectively, while Adrian Davis was 6th overall and first MV40 with 1:18:13.
Other Carnethy placings were James Hardie (38th 1:31:23), Harry Gilmore (40th 1:32:31) and Trevor Shaw (95th 1:50:05).
That's six Carnethies accounted for, the seventh was me, marshalling at what seemed like the coldest spot on the planet!
Cameron Scott
23rd October 2010
Beachy Head Marathon

Just finished the BH Marathon four weeks after Berlin. Wild and windy in the first half, but glorious sunshine and some rainbows later on. My sister, Linda ran with me for the last 10 miles. Two of my cousins also ran. Ali ran with her husband, Ian and finished in 5:10. Jacqui had to retire at check point 3 (16.6 miles) with knee problems, unfortunately. Linda helped me bring up the rear, finishing in a new slow record for me: 6:57 ;0)
Margaret Forrest
17th October 2010
Silver Medals at UK Relay Championships, Lomond Hills, Fife
There was great running by all five Carnethy teams today on a windy and sometimes cloud covered Lomond Hills with the highlight being a superb second place by the Women. The Senior Men were a consistent and outstanding 12th overall, and 3rd Scottish team behind winners Shettleston and 7th place, Edinburgh University, in the tough field. The Male Over 40s team came 4th, and a very impressive 18th overall, just behind the 3rd Over 40s team. The men's Over 50 team finished 67th and the Women's B team 102nd. Results here
It was a great day out and great racing with 30 Carnethies running and at least another 5 coming along to support, including the Secretary, Shane, who brought tea and biscuits for all - he was virtually running a cafe on his table outside the club tent !
Teams were
Senior Men: Sam Hesling/Andy Fallas; Paul Faulkner; Jon Ascroft/Cameron Burt; Tim Darlow
Over 40 Men: Stuart Whitlie/Steven Fallon; Bruce Smith; Adrian Davis/Mark Higginbottom; Adam Ward
Over 50 Men: John Blair-Fish/Keith Burns; Ronnie Gallagher; Willie Gibson/Gordon Cameron; Andy Spenceley
Women's A: Angela Mudge/Jill Mykura; Joanne Anderson; Jacqui Higginbottom/Jasmin Paris; Fiona Mackinnon
Women's B: Kate Friend/Joan Wilson; Lorna Ascroft; Step Moss/Lucy Hailey; Hilary Spenceley

Carnethy teams' times are here with their reports
17th October 2010
Mendip Muddle - Sunday 10th October 2010

While some Carnethys were doing the Pentland Skyline, I travelled south to the Mendip Hills outside Bristol to take part in the Mendip Muddle, a 12.5 mile off-road race with 420 metres of ascent. Set in the Somerset countryside, this race seemed infinitely less challenging to me than the Skyline. It was an enjoyable, well run race, with friendly marshals and competitors. After a rather misty start the sun eventually came out and we had great views and pleasant temperatures. The course was through woods, over open moorland and through a few very boggy areas, I was pleased to find that it was all very runnable. I was happy with my race, getting 2nd FV50, perhaps next time I’ll get under the 2 hour barrier. Excellent cakes at the end in aid of the RNLI and a very enjoyable race. Results
Elaine Nimmo
14th October 2010
Annual General Meeting - Wednesday 13th October
There was a very big turnout at the club AGM on Wednesday night, perhaps helped by lots of left over food from the Skyline being available. Full minutes will be produced and given to club members in due course, but we still have the same President, Secretary and Treasurer ... yes, Shane is doing one more year as the scribe ! The new Men's Captain is the ever enthusiastic Sam Hesling, while Andy Fallas, Chris Henty and Bob Johnson are new ordinary members of the committee. Steph Moss remains as Ladies Captain, Kate Friend as Membership Secretary & Margaret Forrest as Journal editor.
14th October 2010
More tales from the Dolomites - the Gigi Giacomelli Race

Cycled and driven several times past the interesting looking mountain ridge in the photo near Trento and wondered about the scope for walking or even running it. By chance at the Tre Cime race saw a flyer on a race up that very ridge, the 30th Gigi Giacomelli, in memory of the local climber lost on Cerro Torre in Patagonia. Six euros of the entry fee was going to a fund for mountain rescue equipment for that area that I’d walked in earlier this year. Looked quite daunting from the start in Vigolo Vatarra though realized at the finish that we did the lower green peak, not the rock summit. Still, 1250 metres of climb to nearly 2000 metres in 9 Km.
Found that there were no age categories but more a team race between different sections of the CAI, the Italian Alpine Club which covers hill running and MTB as well as climbing and trekking. Being the only member from our section I decided there was nothing to lose by taking my camera for the views. Proved a handicap on the initial 1 km downhill but OK uphill. Well graded trails up through the beech woods with umpteen Z – bends to a Malga (small hill farm) with drinks including hot tea! Then a narrow level/downhill track for 1Km to the start of the really steep 1 km zig –zag track up to the finish. The wind increased and temperature fell rapidly towards the top so glad of my Ron Hills. Still bright and clear though with views of Trento below and snow covered Austrian peaks in the distance. Time 1 hr 26mins for 90th place out 160, some 28 minutes behind the winner.
Walked down for 30minutes to find spare clothes and a great spread of tea and snacks all, including gas cylinders and canteens, lugged up by helpers. Then another walk and jog down to Vigolo for an excellent sit-down meal in the sun followed by the awards ceremony. The banks of trophies and masses of prizes covered most of the stage there being more spot prizes than runners! Finally a 30th anniversary cake, about 4 ft by 5ft, was consumed under the evening sun. All in all a great day out.
Brian Waldie
12th October 2010
A Charming day out: Cairngorm Charmer Oct 9th 2010
This is one event that truly lived up to its name.. Glorious sunshine, amazing scenery and superb organisation really made the Cairngorm Charmer one of the best events I have ever competed in. It’s an off-road duathlon which you compete in teams of 2.
The race starts at the ski-centre car park: each team member runs 4m down the Allt Mor trail, through the Glenmore Forest, around the back of Glenmore Lodge and alongside the Allt Ban burn before arriving at the Hayfield car park. This is the transition point for a 4 mile off-road cycle up and around Loch Morlich. The final 4mile run is the events name-sake: the reverse of the initial run…up up up and up some more! How Charming!
Having chatted to friends who had competed in last year's event I was advised not to go off too fast.. Did I listen??? Woops.. Loved the freedom of running downhill and got a bit carried away.. My biking wasn't great as I had been (wrongly) advised that a hybrid would do.. Never mind it was still a fab bike route despite falling off a few times! Heading back into transition I just told myself to dig deep.. And for once it all worked out.. Managed to 'get' a couple of 'Cairngorm Runners' in the first couple of miles.. that gave me a lift as I thought they must be
Real-Mountain-Runners.. I got into my stride and steadily climbed and climbed… A quick walk up the steepest steps and then I was on the ridge before the final ascent.. Knowing that my friends and colleagues (I work for the organising charity Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland) were able to see me approaching made me so determined to keep running.. The final sprint was aided by a loud call of 'A G&T awaits you..' What more did I need to motivate me???? And yes, it tasted soooo good…
Mandy Calder
10th October 2010
25th Pentland Skyline Hillrace

Murray Strain (HBT) blasted away from the start into the mist like he meant business and ended up leading the entire way for a superb win in a very fast time in the very misty conditions, though Al Anthony (Ochils) was closing down at the end. Murray's 2:24 was the 2nd fastest time ever for the course, behind Andy Kitchin's course record. A bit back Stewart Whitlie led the rest of the field in, in 3rd place and took the Over 40 prize at the same time (and led the Carnethy men to the team prize with Andy Fallas 5th and Mark Higginbottom 23rd). Angela Mudge might have turned 40, but she is as fast as ever finishing in 7th place in a fast 2-44 the day after setting a new record in the Manor Water race ! Like Stewart, she led the host club, Carnethy, to the team award along with Jasmin Paris and Jacqui Higginbottom and like Murray Strain, Angela ran the 2nd fastest time ever behind her own record. 174 runners started the race this year and 166 coped with the conditions and finished. Results All previous result and race records here.

24 people completed the MANor MOUSE challenge (MANor MOUSE results)- the tough weekend double of the Manor Water race and the Pentlands Skyline with the (Wo)Man prize being won by Angela Mudge in an amazing time of 3hrs 58. This is only the third time the double has been done in under 4 hours, with the previous two being Tim Lenton (3:51) and Colin Donnelly (3:55 - when aged 50!). Angela also became the first person to win this challenge twice, having previously won in 2002. Gillian Reid picked up the Mouse prize - well done Gillian in finishing both races ! Results of all previous years' Man or Mouse competitions are on the Manor Water web page here.
9th October 2010
Angela breaks her record in record field at the Manor Water Hill Race

21 Carnethies ran this years race which had a record field of 116 plus 6 Juniors.Despite now being a vet, Angela Mudge broke her own record from 2005 when finishing in 7th Place in 73:48.
The race was won by Michael Reid of Moorfoot Runners in 70:32 (who improved from 9th place of last year), finishing just in front of record holder Brian Marshall.
It is not known who won the sheep at the raffle.
2010 results and photos here. Results of previous years and records here
9th October 2010
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon - October 4th 2010
The notorious 7-year marital itch appears in mysterious ways. Such was my reflection as I shuffled towards a clagged-in start line on the edge of a windswept moor consisting of a banana-like plastic archway battered by the west wind and the Proclaimers’ “500 miles” blaring from the back of a lorry. Thus began Loch Ness Marathon 2010; the first I’d run since London in 2003. Before you seasoned “real” hill runners turn away in disgust at my roady exploits may I add in haste that this marathon, whilst run on tarmac, follows a route whose hills would avoid the blushes of any self respecting hill runner. The first half felt like continous switch back which, full joie de vivre and the M people blaring into my i-pod I managed fine. The 1.5 mile rise at 19 miles, added to by a false summit hurt – boy did it hurt - and my last 6 miles were a testimony to the wise words of a guy in the bus; “think of a marathon in 2 halves – the first half is 20 miles, the second half the last 6.” Buoyed however, by that deep determination to complete something that has until now been merely imagined, and the occasional word with my cycling coach and support a.k.a Steve, I staggered over the finish line at 4 hours 11 mins. (fear not friends – the “accomplished athlete” as referred to by my father in his speech at our wedding still lurks within Steve.. My marathon training has inspired him and we are both furiously focused on future running gigs).
And Loch Ness is a cracking race; if you don’t mind running along silent, sunken roads with the very occasional local obligingly banging pan lids together to cheer on the rain sodden running pack. The run into Inverness is a glorious contrast with cheering crowds and a town basking in the party atmosphere generated by the day’s racing. And who wouldn’t run 26.2 miles for a free tin of Audrey Baxter’s low fat minestrone soup.
So the fire is lit and Steve and I are donning our running shoes with renewed excitement and determination to reinstate our (paltry) running credentials. Wouldn’t it be nice to dilute the road stuff with some hill runs, which given our training territory would be conducive with our local surrounds. No promises but after a glass of wine or 2 memories of the Carnethy 5 and Pentland pursuits come flooding back; most of all, the bon homie and good friendship of some very special Carnethy people. Needles to say Loch Ness Marathon 2011 is in the calendar; perhaps with Edinburgh and even Paris thrown in with good measure. Here’s to the 7 year itch.
Kirsty Leishman
4th October 2010
The Ian Hodgson Mountain Relay - Sunday 3rd October
The Ian Hodgson Mountain Relay- a great event with loads of atmosphere, quality cakes and butties, four paired legs, a fantastic route around the fells above Ullswater in the Lake District, and for this year some proper claggy weather and soggy terrain.
Steven Fallon and Adam Ward tackled the first leg, with its tricky navigation and gnarly descent down to Kirkstone the Pass changeover, hard work especially for Adam who was perhaps regretting his night in the pub. Jon Ascroft & Fergus Johnston took the baton and picked off a few teams on the way up to High Street as visibility improved slightly. Then Gregor Heron and Michael Baldock headed back up and over the fells past Angle Tarn and down to Patterdale, holding the team position in 24th. Then Angela Mudge and Andy Fallas, cruised up Fairfield and over Hart Crag, passing seven more teams, to bring Carnethy in a very respectable 17th overall, out of 63 finishing teams. First Scottish team too, the only other one being Corstorphine.
Up at the front, it was nail biting race for the contending teams. With Borrowdale having held the trophy for the last 12 years, they were easy favourites to win again. However after the locals made a hash of leg 1, Pudsey and Bramley moved up to the lead and were looking good to cause an upset. But perfect race lines helped Borrowdale to claw back the seconds and reel in P&B right at the end to win by 26 seconds.
Many thanks again to the organisers & marshals for such a well run event. Results & Splits
Jon Ascroft
4th Ocober 2010
Baker's Dozen Handicap - Arthur's Seat
Great to see another huge turnout for the Monday lunchtime handicap this month (see club training page for details).. After last month's 12 runners we managed to coax not only another newbie along but also a couple of oldies too. This weeks hare was again Andy Wadsworth , this time he remembered the route but also this time he ran a lot faster knocking 6 minutes off his (obviously too generous) handicap to come home ahead of the hounds..
Next off was Eddie, with newbie PaulH in close pursuit, both coming inside their handicap (more adjustments required). Ian arrived late, but then still proceeded go inside his handicap taking almost a minute off his pb, before coercing a passing tourist into taking a photo of the finishers*. Gordon was another who stormed around inside his handicap. With his recent marathons out of the way Robert made a rare appearance, coming in close to his handicap and holding off Martin, fresh from his Ben Venue V60 success but feeling the effort of a hard weekend tramping through peat bogs.
Fastest runs of the day were 3 of us a few seconds apart at around 28:30 (PaulF (who would have been faster except he was following me for the best line), myself, Stewart) with Cam also dipping inside the 30 minutes for the first time in a while. Jamie is obviously morphing into a cyclocrosser, JamesJ retired hurt having made it to Dunsapie, JamesB was taking the long way round in prep for a Manor Mouse weekend and Derek was taking it easy on his latest set of injuries.

The motley crew with Andy taking centre stage
Gordon Cameron
4th Ocotber 2010
Tre Cime (Drei Zinnen)—Three Peaks Race September

A classic mountain race in the mainly German speaking northern Dolomites hence the alternative names. 17.5 Km and 1300 metres climb, thankfully only up to the base of the peaks, not over! (Photo). Saw Angela’s name in the list of previous medal winners.
All accommodation around Sesto was fully booked due to this race and the Trans-Alp multi day race finishing there so we had a three hour drive over two passes that morning. Lucky to see a glorious sunrise over the Passo Giao with the Marmolada a brilliant crimson.
Sunny for the rest of the day fortunately, I had entered in2008 but the course was closed then by snow.
A gentle steady climb for the first 7 Km on asphalt and trails enlivened by seeing the helicopter lifting our after- race togs in a large net up to the finish at 2,400 m. Must have gone slow on the road as I seemed to be passing people on most of the climb until easing off due to twinges of cramp. A downhill part had been added towards the finish so lost places there due to a recurrent problem of watering eyes and dodgy knee. Regained some on the final climb to finish in 2:22, 370th out of 846 so definitely in the upper half this time. However some 55 minutes behind the winner , though as this was Jonathon Wyatt multiple world champion ,didn’t feel too dismayed .
Joined hundreds outside the top refuge enjoying the sun , limitless supplies of tea and snacks and fabulous views of the Tre Cime and other peaks. Then a 2 hour walk down for the pasta party and prize giving the weather being so good that the spare togs weren’t needed. Managed 1st over 70.
Brian Waldie
4th Ocober 2010
Ben Venue Hill Race - 2nd Ocober
Ben Venue is one of those hills that makes you wonder why there's never been a race there before.
Last year the race was only a shortened route due to 90mph winds on the ridge. This year we had another touch of Autumn with a cloudburst just as we were gathering to start.
95 dripping runners toed the line, including a smattering of mostly centrally located Carnethies. The reasonably wide road section split the field up fairly early on but the climb through the woods was steeper and longer than I remember from last year. After a bit of to-ing a fro-ing hit the open hill with a few figures just ahead to give me a target to aim for.
Most runners (well walkers actually) were going slightly to the left of the craggy bits but I took a line a bit more direct that seemed to be slightly quicker, until I came to a wee path near the top and went across it and up the next rise, only to realise I'd put in one climb too many. Before long we were at the summit and a cracking ridge run followed with Will Manners and myself swapping places as he passed me on the slippery rocky bits down to the col and I pulled back passed him with some slightly better route choices on the climb to the second top and avoided the worst of the bogs along the wild section
The drop back down into the valley was really steep and Will pulled away from me heading for the trees. Something didn't look quite right below - Will looked to be trending a bit too far to the left, so I took a line slightly further to the right. When we got further down I realised the woods had been felled and re-planted, meaning what looked like forestry on the map - didn't look like forestry on the ground. I found a fence to follow (complete with the fell shoe marks of preceding competitor) and popped out on a track after stumbling around on felled branches just a bit down from the marshals at the 'proper' re-entry point. Thinking it may be a checkpoint I headed back up towards them, passing an on-coming Bella runner in the process, but they waved and pointed me on to the correct direction (back the way I'd just come). The chase was then on back through the forestry tracks. With a Westie just behind me (who'd come the same way as myself) we both passed Will struggling through the felled trees alongside the river. I spent the next 15 minutes trying to keep the Bella vest in sight, only to found out later that he's decent road runner - but then I should have expected that from someone from 'Bellahouston Road runners'.Finished and scoffed loads of cakes whilst chatting to other finishers before heading back home to get washed and brushed up for a nite oot, thus missing out on the prize giving and realising I'd been 1st vet.
Also missed out on realising Jacqui had won the ladies race not far behind me and in doing so led the ladies to the team prize.Great race with a touch of navigational nous useful on the ridge and a thundering descent back through the tracks to the finish it's well worth risking the autumnal weather for.
Bruce Smith
3rd October 2010
Kilomathon

While Willie was leading the monthly Pentlands run 14 Club members had an early start - meeting in Kirkliston at 7am to take our places as Sector 1 marshals for the first Kilomathon (26.2km) in Scotland. Being placed under the flight path for departing planes Cody barked off the 2000+ runners and then we had an hours gap awaiting their return. He had almost lost his voice so was a bit quieter on the return which many runners commented on. The finish wasn't close -- large gap between each of the top 4. The winner Ross Houston from Edinburgh took 1:26. The first 2 ladies were in the top 10. Conditions were good for running. Only one Carnethy vest was spotted - Mike Lynch who finished in 2:12:48. Unfortunately in our sector we had a fatality to deal with and our thoughts must go to his family and friends.
There's a news item on the BBC's web site about the unfortunate runner who died.
It makes one think again about what's important.
Gordon Cameron
3rd October 2010
Ettrick Journey Run – 2nd October 2010

Nine Carnethy runners gathered at the end of the Loch of the Lowes for the run across to Ettrick. We set off past Tibbie Shiel's Inn and on south westwards into the hills by the Southern Upland Way. After passing through a stretch of forest we were once more out on to the open hillsides. There was an excellent, well-drained path by Pikestone Rig and Peniestone Knowe. At the head of the valley we saw a sign post to Ettrick but no sign of a path so we made our own way across boggy ground to the top of Craig Hill. It had an unusually shaped cairn on top and gave us a fine view down into Ettrick valley. We came down off the hill, past Ettrick Kirk, then along the road to the monument at the birthplace of James Hogg – the “Ettrick Shepherd”. At that point the sun really shone forth so it seemed a good place to stop for lunch – there were steps and a stone bench to sit on around the monument. A couple of walkers had already stopped at the same place and their dog came to pay us solicitous attention – particularly those with savoury lunches.
After lunch we headed back along the road to Scabcleuch. We made a small diversion to the Kirk graveyard where Richard showed us James Hogg's grave and nearby the grave of Tibbie Shiel – she live to the ripe old age of 95. At Scabcleuch we left the road for another part of the Southern Upland Way. By the stile was a large stone slab with one of Hogg's poems carved on it. Once again an excellent path took us back up into the hills. We rejoined our previous route then further on at Pikestone Rig we took another path down to the Loch of the Lowes. A loch side path then led us back to our starting point. Our timing was perfect as it started to rain just as we got back to the cars. We had a quick dash across the road to the Glen Café where the day was rounded off with tea and cakes.
Nigel Rose.
3rd October 2010
Dunbar 10m multi-terrain race (aka 'The uphill Doonhill race') - Sat 2nd Oct

As newbies to Carnethy we (Philipa Ivison and Mandy Calder) decided to try out our new shoes and club vests at this small, but very well-organised, race. As we lined up at the start (it was a very small field this year) we felt like hustlers.. fooling our fellow runners into thinking we were REAL hill runners.. After a warning about gun shots on the course (!) we were off..
The route winds its way up, through tracks, fields and a few muddy bogs, to the top of Doon Hill where a kind chappie was taking photos (Go Carnethy!)..and apparently there was a lovely view.. A quick dash around a well-placed Scottish flag and we were on the descent.. Morale was lifted when we 'got' the 2 lads in front of us.. then we realised we still had some way to go before the finish.. All was going well until we were told by the friendly marshalls "1mile to go" then "only 2 miles to go" in that order.. Hey ho.. Never trust a smiling marshall. Luckily the last "only 400m" to go was the honest truth so we both pushed hard for the all important sprint finish.. And headed straight for the "excellent refreshments" put on by Dunbar RC..
We narrowly missed out on on the Female team prize (well actually we needed a 3rd runner and then we would have nailed it!).. but all in all a fab day out!
Mandy Calder
3rd October 2010
Club Sunday Run, Ninemileburn
For October, the regular first Sunday of the month club run (see Social page for next month's run) was from Ninemileburn on a not very promising morning. Eight people (including late comer Gio MacDonald) turned up and did a circuit up West Kip and back, in improving weather, over Green Law and Spittal Hill - where we said goodbye to Alun Morton Lloyd who is in training for an ultra race in a couple of weeks so carried on for a few more miles - before descending to Spittal Farm and back to Ninemileburn.