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14th September 2011
Wind Assisted Caerketton Downhill
First off
New record by first lady Al Anthony wins again Bob Waterhouse won M50 Steep bit coming! Digby Maass
The year on year growth at the Caerketton Doonhiller continues to outstrip even the rate of inflation with 56 seniors and 4 juniors toeing the line last night, or more accurately, topping the cairn. Although a sunny evening, a bitterly cold westerly wind blew at the summit, but helped push competitors even faster along the first ridge.
The highlight of the night was the first female sub six minute clocking with honours going to unattached athlete Charlotte Morgan, running a well judged 5.59! Jasmin Paris (Carnethy) also bettered the previous record and got second ahead of the previous course record holder Eilidh Wardlaw (HBT).
Although Al Anthony (Ochils) didn’t better his own course record, he managed another win, his third Doonhiller title to date. Edinburgh Uni Hare & Hounds were out in force, taking a break from Freshers Week activities, and their lead runner Iain Whiteside finished only 3 seconds shy of Al’s time for an impressive 2nd ahead of the ever improving Konrad Rawlik (Carnethy).
New age group records were set by Gordon Pryde (Lomonds) V50, Bob Waterhouse (Carnethy) V60 & Pat McLaughlin (Westies) V60.
Joanne Anderson (Carnethy) V40, double previous overall race winner Bruce Smith (Carnethy) V40 & Cali Ingham (Carnethy) V50 made up the other age group winners.
As ever the winners, and most of the field, took their chances in the random prize draw. Race winner Al Anthony won a selection of vegetable seeds so looks forward to growing beetroot, rocket, cucumber and the likes in his greenhouse in between training sessions. The Hairies scooped many prizes and the Fresher’s parties will now be fuelled by Glengoyne Malt, while the entertainment may be provided by Jenny Dybeck’s new selection of 80s Albums.
In the junior race, Rory Greig (Carnegie) set a storming pace to win in the 4th fastest time ever, ahead of the Hubert family. A special mention must go to 2 year old Sam Hubert, surely the youngest finisher ever in a hill race, completing the 800m course in 12.12 and earning himself a week’s supply of jelly babies.
Finally, many thanks must go to the race helpers Ian, Anne, Andy, Jane, Paul, Sandy, Colin, Bob and Fionna who helped the race go so smoothly. And also to all the runners for turning up in good time to register, I had a whole 25 minutes to saunter up to the summit for the start this year! Much appreciated and I’ll see you all again next year!
Mark Johnston
More photos, Results
Stats on race web page here

Hi Guys - I was actually 3 seconds behind Steven - so not first vet on Wednesday.
With the tail end of hurricane Katia still flickering around it looked like a night for record breaking times and indeed it was. Luckily for me Steven Fallon wasn't on top form and my M40 record stayed intact. Unluckily for me his form was still 3 seconds faster than me!
Dry and sunny but the wind was strong enough to make it very chilly waiting around at the top, especially when I was about last to enter and had to wait 13 minutes before setting off.
A bit of a misunderstanding meant that two guys in Edinburgh Uni orienteers T shirts set off at the same time as me - one of whom was in front of me at the first cairn (split time 1:27). I got past him on the steep bit by keeping to the fence (100m/min descent rate down to the gate according to my altimeter) but it was quite good having a head to head race to spur me on. As we hit the wee rise I could hear someone just behind me but I managed to get a bit of a gap on the drop down past the new bench. I had to check my speed slightly as was caught behind a slower runner through the gorse but quickly got back into freefall for the last drop to the trees (103m/min) and subsequent sprint to the line.
Many thanks to Mark for organising as usual - these days it seems to be my only way of getting a decent race percentage!
Bruce Smith

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