14th September 2011
Wind Assisted Caerketton
Downhill
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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