9th October 2011 Al and Jasmin win windy
Pentland Skyline From a record field
of 185 finishers, Al Anthony won a tough Pentlands
Skyline race in 2:38 closely followed by the
first two Over 40s, Mark Harris (Fife) and Stewart
Whitlie. Mark's second place was enough for him
to finish first in the SHR
Long Classics Series. First woman, Carnethy's
Jasmin Paris, was not far back. Jasmin took 7th
place overall in an excellent 2:54 on what was
a very slow course and in doing so also won the
SHR Long Classic Series. Second woman was Sharon
Bird from Northern Ireland also in a very fast
time of 3:01.
Konrad Rawlik in 5th place took the MANor Mouse award
for the fastest person over the weekend double of Manor
Water and the Pentland Skyline.
Pentland Skyline results are here.
MANor Mouse results here.
Carnethy Picasa Album here.
Alan Hogg's Picasa Album here
The sweepers' report Andy Fallas and I both having dodgy ankles
we ended up sweeping the second half of the course.
Getting a lift to the water station at the Drove
Road with Cali & Bob we sheltered from the
wind as long as possible in the car but eventually
set up the drinks & food. It's not often you
see waves on a jug of water. The weather was not
entirely pleasant as the leaders arrived looking
bedraggled, but as the race wore on fine weather
could be seen in the distance and the sun actually
appeared for a while. One definite retiral at the
stage, and some doubt about 2 others. With the
departure of Bill Gauld, the last runner, we set
off. Running gear was the right choice as it's
a gentle jog and slow walks uphill. Murdo got the
vote for the best kept checklist but even his was
a bit doubtful owing to something like a 6H pencil
and runners determination to wear numbers crumpled,
folded or underneath layers of clothing, and to
shout out someone else's.
One of the marshals on Black Hill, having been on a
dry stone walling course, had kept herself warm by
putting in some practice, producing an impressive...
er... small pile of random stones. Now why didn't I
take a photo? To be fair she didn't have a lot to work
with!
The third water station manned by Nick Macdonald
& Alan Hogg is probably the most arduous
to set up, involving a carry of water, table & food
a kilometre or more up Maiden's Cleugh but they
looked pretty cheerful (maybe because our arrival
meant they could go!), and Ally must have snapped
every runner.
No-one dropped out on the second half and eventually
the indefatigable Bill led us down to the finish and
we retired to the Steading for a very welcome pint. Digby
Andrew
Gilmore & James Hardie take on water, Neil
Campbell descends West Kip
Bill
Gauld nearing Caerketton, Konrad Rawlik 5th
& Jasmin Paris 7th