 On the way the Pentlands from Roslin Curling Pond |
Junior Senior Relay - 3rd January 2010The snow was deep in Roslin as I looked out at
8:30 am. I wondered if anyone would manage out from Edinburgh to
the Relays. One thing
was sure, I didn'd have enough time to dig out my car and get there
in time. |
 On the way the fields between Glencorse and Bush |
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 At the Start |
I was worried about a possible lack of Juniors, the Junior runs have lost lots of Juniors to adulthood, I had no idea how many would turn up, butI had no need to worry, Olly Stephenson had brought a carful and with a full family Wilkinson, 3 Camerons and a mini Coyle, there were more than enough for a Grand Day Out. Having run the snowy Pentlands many times over the last weeks I
realised that straying from the paths led to swimming through snowdifts
so I decided to keep the routes this year to the paths. |
 They're off |
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There are 3 legs and the rules are that all of your team stays together till the turn round points. The short leg this year was up to the trees (touch a tree), then runback down. The remains of the team carry on to the Col where the second runner runs back. The third runner then carries on to the summit and runs back. |
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The three runners times are combined to get a total time. The only other rule is that reasonable cheating will be rewarded. The only obvious cheating this year was Scott Cameron's snow surf board, although the time he made up descending he lost by enjoying it too much and going too far, having to climb back up to path, |
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 The first hill |
The teams were sorted out quickly (as ever), the slowest junior with the fastest others, but it is always rather random. Soon we were off to the start. The pre run preparation left lots of bags of clothes gloves etc at the start, with the winter sun warming our backs and the snow freezing our feet they were off! The snow kept the group fairly together till the first gate and then we could see a couple of teams pulling ahead (one of them Cody Aided). |
 Good grouping |
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A
small figure in blue could be seen descending fast, as the others
started appearing above the tree line. It was difficult to see how
the others were doing as Jacob Wilkinson appeared over the hillock.
The two pals Jack and Peter sauntered over the hillock some time later
having forgotten that they were racing. |
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 Lauren leads the return |
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 Scott hauls his board uphill |
 The long routers on the ridge |
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 The surfer |
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 Coylie beats Gordon |
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 Coylie |
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 eamwork |
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 Keith in pursuit of the wife |
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 Sam is toastie |
 Nigel runs in |
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 The last climb |
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Moira on the medium leg caught up on Sam and Kirsty and carried Sam to the finish on her shoulders, John and Gordon had their usual tussle but this time Coylie won out. Olly caught up on team mate Owen and the two of them ran in together. Keith Burns was not far behind and chasing hard to beat his wife (Barbel) who wasn't even racing. Nigel was the last long leg runner to finish and Michael (still carrying an injury) hobbled in a bit later. |
 Trevor runs back to accompany Michael |
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 Michael hobble home |
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 Nigel tows the teams back to the car |
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| The weather made for a memorable day,
thanks to all who turned up in the interesting conditions. Willie Gibson |
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