| A year of races - The Club Championship 2012 |
| From the News Pages |
| Club
Championship page & SHR Championship
Table Races are organised by the club except those marked as 'Scottish Championship Race' which form the SHR championship series |
| 11th February 2012 -
organiser Olly Stephenson Fast times and record field at 42nd 'Tiso' Carnethy 5         A massive field of 523 runners (including 83 Carnethy members) finished today's Carnethy 5, the first time there has been more than 500 finishers. Although a cold day for standing around, it was a great day for running, cool and a firm ground, if a bit icy in places. GB Mountain Running Internationalist Orlando Edwards, from Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers, running for his Scottish club HBT, pulled away from a strong chasing pack early on, to take a superb win in the 5th fastest time ever with Prasad Prasad (Squadra Porcini) taking the runner up spot half a minute down, not far in front of five times winner Rob Jebb (Bingley). Prasad was the only Scot in the top 5 as brothers Tom and Mark Addison (both GB International runners) from Helm Hill took 4th and 5th place. For the women, Angela Mudge, wearing her usual number 13, easily won in a very fast 56 mins to record her 13th victory - who says 13 is unlucky! It was quite close for the runner up positions, but Sarah McCormack (Moorfoots) kept in front of Jasmin Paris and Catriona Buchanan (Ochil) to claim 2nd. The first 4 women were all under the hour, easily the most female sub hour runs in the race. Once again Lochaber's Jimmy Jardine (race number 42) finished to complete his 42nd race! Even first Over 40, Kenny Richmond (Shettleston), wasn't born when Jimmy ran this race for the first time. However Kenny had a great run to retain his Over 40 title, while Duncan Ball (Penicuik) narrowly took the Over 50 from Adam Ward. Jame Waldie had another great run in 11th place to get not only 1st Junior, but also first student in a close battle with Douglas Tullie. After 4 years of Carnethy winning the Claymore, Shettleston finally claimed it with Carnethy taking second place. It was only the second time Shettleston had won the team prize, the last time being 1997 (nice to give them their occasional moment of glory so they don't get despondent !). However, the Carnethy team of Angela, Jasmin and Charlotte Morgan won the women's team from HBT, with Carnethy taking it for the third year in a row. More photos on Carnethy Picasaweb album. Robby MacBeath's video here. Full report here Race Results here and Full Team Results here. Scald Law Junior Race Results (race details here) |
| 9th April 2012 - organiser
Cosmic
Hillbashers Clachnaben hill race      The forests at the foot of Clach na Beinn are unusually pleasant, open mature woodland. The Beinn itself is a dramatic granite tor rising in convoluted folds upon the top of the hill. In between lies a morass of peat and heather suiting those who like hard wet going, mixed with forest trails and stepped stone ascent. The stream crossing soon after the start was not actually waist deep (oh you jesters!) and there was a bridge to keep your feet dry though having dry feet didn't last long. The reward for the large field finishing was a large spread of cake, and a very tasty barrel of Deeside 'Macbeth' ale. As usual for a Carnethy and Scottish Championship race the turnout was high. The prizegiving saw Carnethy men's team take the prize, and Stuart Whitlie 2nd male vet. That's all I can remember until the results come out, apart from some of the more unusual prizes - the dirtiest finisher, who won a towel; the most Scottish name - won by Murdo Macleod; spot prizes for the easter chicks to be found round the course; and the 1st over 60 female prize briefly held by our own Jean Jumelle, in an unfortunate misinterpretation of french language gender rules. Digby The route was changed from previous years two weeks before the race to make the race "more runnable". It was shorter and with less climb. It can be debated whither championship races should be more runnable and whither a race selected with a known course should remain a championship race with a changed route. In the old days 30 years ago a race could not be used as a championship race unless the route had been run before. So the route did not suit me, struggling to pass runners in the heather after the fast start and then losing out on the bouldery snowy descent and fast run down the forest roads. I seem to be ahead of none over 60 rivals but do not know if I was ever near the over 60 winner. Jean Jumelle was awarded the over 60 Ladies price till it was pointed out he was a French man. I travelled with Jean and Gordon but it seemed otherwise to be no coordination of lifts and carbon points. Nevertheless a selection of fast Carnethy faster men appeared and won the men's team prize. Jacquie Higgingbottom won the first vet Lady. John Blair-Fish Results. More photos on Carnethy Picasaweb |
| 9th June 2012 - organiser
Trevor Collins Traprain Law race      We were spared a repeat of last years deluge but the recent rain led to the iconic river wade being ruled out and a detour via the bridge added 0.6m to the distance. Lots of Carnethy vests though the large turnout was not really reflected in the results. Leading lady Charlotte tumbled on the descent and badly bruised her knee, giving herself a dead leg that forced her retirement and gave the win to HBT. Adam and John R withdrew, we know not why. I fell over as usual. Gordon clinched a prize as did Bob W, and Michael's wee boy got to sit in a fire engine as East Linton celebrated the annual gala of which this race forms a part. Results - the turnout of 93 runners was the largest for many years, possibly ever! More photos here Digby After last year’s deluge we enjoyed an excellent brief weather window this time with warm sunshine. However, the previous night’s rain on the hills had created a characteristic River Tyne surge overnight of over a half metre’s depth increase on the previous afternoon’s already high level. The murky brown torrent at the early morning pitch inspection led to a reluctant decision to abort the river crossing. It was even too deep to immerse the old and well-used race depth gauge (KB). A record 93 starters made for congested progress along the raging brown torrent. Beyond the normal river entry point, the dunk diversion took runners to the Hailes footbridge and a backtrack along the road to re-join the steep climb to Kippielaw. From Kippielaw, the field margins to the quarry were heavy going through the long grass. The rock outcrops on the east ridge seem to get longer each year due to soil erosion. Here, the restored rustic municipal gas-pipe fence protecting the quarry edge did little to enhance the otherwise imposing east ridge. This year, Exmoor ponies replaced sheep on the Law, with copious piles of steaming Exmoor excrement along the race line. Was this the reason for the unusually luxuriant vegetation? There was one heavy tumble on the descent (an over-exuberant overtaking move?) - but no serious damage. One clearly delirious competitor ignored three large arrows on the ground marking TURN RIGHT and turned left for Haddington. The family Gala Day operations on the field were well attended compared with last year’s rain washout. Thanks to all our helpers, without whom the race would not happen: Fiona, Anne, Jane, Therese, Barbel, Barry, Jon, Nick, Chris, Stuart, plus our community coppers Gavin and Kevin on their assault mountain bikes. Keith More excellent race photos from Bob Marshal here and from Sandy Wallace here. Thanks guys! |
| 16th June 2012 - organiser
Adam Anderson Durisdeer hill race     The omens were not good as the Pentlands were covered in mist down to the road but fortunately at Durisdeer the tops were clear and the torrential rain held off until the race had finished. I soon gave up chasing JBF and concentrated on not plunging headlong into various ravines. The ascents are reasonable but the descents and some of the traverses are vertiginous on the course which covers some 9.39 miles and 3,600ft of ascent. As the race was a Carnethy and Scottish championship there was a large turnout (and not just of midges), sadly not including Andy Lennie who arrived 10mins after the start and settled for driving to all the road crossings and cheering us on. Still he was probably more fortunate than the 3 runners who headed off towards Selkirk at some point and were being retrieved by mountain rescue as we tucked into the feast of cake. Prasad Prasad was the overall winner; Stuart Whitlie won the M50 and for the ladies Jasmin was in 3rd place. The usual wonky photos here, full report including organiser's report, and results here Digby |
| 7th July
2012 - organiser Arrochar Alps Hill race Jasmin breaks record at Arrochar Alps Another great day out at the Arrochar Alps hill race on Saturday. Leaving a water-logged Edinburgh on Saturday morning, there was feeling of trepidation in the car. However, things started to clear up on route through and Ben Lomond was clear as we headed up Loch Lomond to the race. The rain stopped on arrival at the car-park, and with all 4 tops clear it was pretty much perfect running conditions for the race. A good Carnethy contingent out for the race. Jasmin Paris had another superb run to take nearly 17mins off her course record from last year to win the ladies. Paul Faulkner had another great run to finish first Carnethy in 3-26 which was good enough for 16th place overall. He would have finished a few places higher and a couple of mins quicker but missed the left turn on the tarmac about ½ mile from the finish. A quick river crossing saw him coming across the finish line in the wrong direction :-). Myself and Andy Fallas finished 18th and 19th in 3-27 and 3-28. I managed to sneak past Andy coming off Ben Narnain having followed one of a number of Borrowdale runners who seem to have found a quicker route off the last hill! Back to the village hall afterwards for what is probably one of the best post race spreads on the hill running calendar. Thanks to the organisers and marshals for putting on another great race. Results Stewart Whitlie P.S. Ben Bardsley (Borrowdale), who won the race, broke Billy Bland's 1987 record by 20 seconds! |
| 14th July
2012 - organiser Nick MacDonald Rigby record broken at 25th David Shepherd Memorial Glamaig Hill race  In good running conditions, Finlay Wild (Lochaber) dominated the 25th Glamaig Race with a superb run to break Mark Rigby's 1997 record by 14 seconds. He reached the summit in just over 32 minutes, 3 mins in front of a chasing group led by Carnethy's Paul Faulkner, and flew down the hill to win by a staggering 6 minutes. Finishing in second place after another fast descent was Brian Marshall - the winner of the previous 9 races (!). Brian missed his 10th consecutive win but had the consolation of breaking the Over 40s record. The race for first woman was much closer than the men's with Charlotte Morgan, who was 3rd to the top, taking the lead on the steep descent only for Catriona Buchanan to get past on the flatter ground towards the end. Catriona and Charlotte ran the 2nd and 3rd fastest women's times ever ! The 194 finishers was yet another record, by a long way. Photos and results from the race. |
| 4th August
2012 - organiser Newtonmore Highland Games Superb win for James at Creag Dubh Race - Sat 4th August    The second short race in the SHR Scottish Champs on a hot day at the Newtonmore Highland games saw a quality field of 135 and at £2 entry fee; every finisher getting a minature of Dalwhinnie with full bottles going to James Waldie 1st, Paul Faulkner 3rd, and Stewart Whitlie 5th (and 1st V50) along with good money prizes. Charlotte Morgan finished 2nd to lead the ladies team home as well. Obstacle course consisting of a lap of the packed arena followed by barrier leap, rough field dodging cars, fences, river crossing, steep bank climb to road crossing and then track to the hill with flagged short cuts on the ascent which were not marked for the descent! Return was the same route. Great day in dry conditions and the was whisky flowing - £2 for an engraved glass with 3 nips !! - unfortunately Bob had to drive! Results   Gordon Cameron |
| 8th August
2012 - organiser Stewart Whitlie Caerketton Hill race Fine evening for first outing on new extended Caerketton race route this year. Paul Faulkner (Carnethy) had an excellent run to win ahead of the HBT duo, Dan Gay & Don Naylor. Paul had a great climb and was well clear at the top and did enough to stay ahead of a fast finishing Dan. Paul’s winning time was approx. 5mins slower than typical winning times on previous course. Charlotte Morgan had another great run to make it double for Carnethy and had a comfortable winning margin over Eilis McKechanie (HBT) and Neah Evans (Shettleston). Old git male prizes went to Carnethy members: Steve Fallon (next V40, 5th place), Stewart Whitlie (1st V50, 4th place) and Bob Waterhouse (1st V60, 38th place). Carnethy ladies picked up 1st V40 (Nicolla Dunn) and 1st V50 (Cali Ingham) with Shiela Strain picking up first lady over 60 prize. Results Junior race was won by Iain Innes ahead of Fergus Campbell who I’m sure will be giving his dad a run for his money in a few years time. Iain had a great run and this was on the back of 2 ½ hours ski training earlier in the afternoon. 1st girl home was Katie Ross (in 3rd place overall) just ahead of her sister Jessica. Good turnout in both races with 75 runners taking part in the senior race and 10 in the junior race. Thanks to all for coming along and to those who helped out with marshalling, time keeping activities. Junior Results Stewart Whitlie Some photos of both races here |
| 8th September
2012 - organiser Willie Gibson The Devil's Beeftub Hill Race      As we left a sunny Edinburgh and drove down towards the race we saw a few cars with full headlights on coming our way! Would the mist be down? As we crossed the col of the Beeftub the swirls of mist looked like steam billowing out of the Devil's Cauldron, and then it was clear. The mist had lifted from the summits by the time we got to Corehead, and a couple of cars were already waiting. Soon a steady stream of cars were arriving and with a couple of runners running off the Hill from the Beeftub Road we ended up with 36 starters. The weather was warm and still in the bowl of the Beeftub as the 36 headed round the route. We were spotting runners on the skyline and seeing a few red vests at the front. As the leaders descended Paul Faulkner was in the lead by about 30 metres from Alan Cherry (Ayr Seaforth) but Alan took the more direct line through the bracken and caught Paul. About the same time Paul heard a crunch in his knee and he limped home in second place with Stewart Whitlie in 3rd (1st M50). Mike Robinson (Dark Peak) was 4th (1st V40) and Bob Waterhouse was 1st V60 in 12th place. The Ladies were led home by Neah Evans in 11th place, Shirley Singh (Hardrock Hoodlums) 2nd (1st F40), and Julia Conner (Moorfoots) 3rd. Jean Robson (Annan) was 1st FV50. Thanks to Nick Macdonald for marshalling the last hill (and providing most of the race kit), and Cail Ingham for registration and especially the Saddleworth Supporters for helping with the finish timing (letting Cali run the race) and all the Carnethy bods that carrried the kit to and from the start. More photos here, including some taken by Peter Hutchison (Chairman Dumfries Running Club) Results Willie Gibson |
| 12th September
2012 - organiser Mark Johnston Caerketton Downhill     Over 50 runners turned out once again for the 11th Caerketton Doonhiller. Conditions were favourably bright & cool, with a following wind. Run of the night went to Charlotte Morgan (Carnethy) who broke her own women’s course record, running a storming 5.45. She was followed home by Neah Evan (Shettleton) and previous course record holder Eilidh Warlaw (HBT), who jump ahead of Jasmin Paris in to 2nd and 3rd on the all-time list. The only other record breaker on the night was Bob Waterhouse (Carnethy) who reduced his own vet 60 record to an impressive 6.38. Coll Williamson (Edinburgh Uni H&H) took 24 seconds off his time from last year, posting 5.22, the quickest time of the night. Mark Harris was close behind in 5.24, missing out on a new MV40 record by one second! The other category winners were Iain Gilmore (Carnethy) MJ, Senga Plain (Carnethy) FV40, Jean Bowman (Lomond) FV50, Robin Orr (Bellahouston Road Runners) MV50 and Bill Gauld (Carnethy) MV70. Before any of the seniors arrived, the junior race was run down the bottom half of the course. They apparently took a new interesting winding route through the gorse but eventually popped out with smiles on their faces, led home by seven year old Ellie Dunn. The night was rounded off by the lucky draw prize giving, Best matched prize went to John Denovan, recently 2nd in the tough man ‘Spartan Race’, who won the Marigold washing up gloves to go with his Westies vest. Many thanks must go to the race helpers Ian, Anne, Bob, Nicola, Sandy, Cali, Gordon, Bruce, Alex and Simon who helped the race go relatively smoothly. It was the first year I haven’t taken part in the race due to injury so Scott Cameron (Carnethy) is now the only runner to have competed in all eleven events. And he’s still a junior! (U20). Hopefully I’ll be back next year to start with you all atop the summit cairn. Mark Johnston 55 runners in this years race on a breezy fine evening. Bruce held on to his MV40 record by 1 second and won a magnificent melon from the characteristically eclectic range of prizes, awarded by lucky dip. Charlotte won 1st lady in 5:45, knocking 14 seconds off her own course record and still the only female to get under 6 mins. Her efforts were rewarded with a splendid bag of crisps. With the works going on up the hill the incontinent dog owners club have evidently relocated to this location, and it is not certain that Bob W was to be allowed back into the car after stepping up and in to collect his prize for an incredibly speedy win in the MV60 category. As is traditional Fraser pipped Willy to the finish. Babysitting the main event Mary ran the race on her own afterwards as the first leg of the Alternative Carnethy 5, and got lost, which is remarkable though not unheard of on the knoll. But plenty of time to have another go! Thanks to Mark Johnston for a successful and fun event, and to all the helpers. More photos here. Alan's photoset here. Results Digby |
| 13th October
2012 Carnethy Win at Manor Water     Andy Fallas won today's Manor water race and Jasmin Paris was first lady with Jill Mykura 2nd and Helen Bonsor 3rd. There were 66 finishers. Results and Summary |
| 14th October
2012 - organiser Shane Bouchier Record field for Pentland Skyline race     The race was framed this year by moving tributes to the fallen runner in the Ian Hodgson mountain relay. JBF called for a minute's silence and Jasmin, who was personally involved, described the care by fellow runners which sadly was ultimately unsuccesful; and expressed the hope that fell running would always take place in a spirit of companionship and generosity. There is an article here in the Westmoreland Gazette. There was a very large number (267) starting the race as it was a Scottish Championship counter as well as a Carnethy Championship race. Hector Haines of HBT pulled steadily pulled away to win in a fast 2:27 for the conditions with Andy Fallas 2nd, a superb run considering he had won Manor Water the previous day. Jasmin Paris went one better as she won the Skyline having also won the day before. The numbers caused a bit of a crisis at the drinks stations as the water ran out for the last runners, and a numbers of cyclists generously donated theirs at the third station - thanks guys! The mist wreathing the hill cleared to warm sunshine, though it wasn't too long before a sleety shower rolled in, which saw many layers being added. 250 completed the gruelling course, including 46 Carnethies, as the sunshine returned - easily a record number, the previous being 186 last year. More photos. Results here, and list of prize-winners here. MAN(or) Mouse 21 runners completed the tough MANor MOUSE challenge this year, i.e. the Manor Water/Pentlands Skyline double. The MAN was Andy Fallas in a new record of 3:42:11 with Mark Harris of Fife next in a fast 3:53:49. The next 3 runners were all Carnethy women: Jasmin Paris, Jill Mykyura and Helen Bonsor . The Mouse was John Telfer of Northumberland in 5:51:59. Results |
| 10th November
2012 - organiser Cameron Scott The "Run and Become" Tinto Hill Race     
A massive field of 259 finished this year's race held in very heavy underfoot conditions, i.e. plenty of mud! Andy Fallas was first to the top, but Shettleston's Matt Sulllivan had a great descent to take the win with Andy coming in 2nd. Angela Mudge was first woman in an amazing 7th place; she was also the first Over 40 runner to finish from either sex! There were Carnethy club vests in abundance as it was the last of the Carnethy Championship races for this year. Charlotte Morgan, by finishing 2nd woman (and more importantly first senior woman), just took the championship. There was also a very large number of Lomond Hill Runners as they were celebrating their 25th anniversary at this race. The results are a bit compromised this year due to actions of some runners. At least 2 and possibly 3 ran the route unofficially and a few left the finish funnel by stepping over the tape rather than wait in line to have their number properly recorded. Not only does this cause errors in the results, it is potentially dangerous as it causes problems with the race safety system. Also please note that next year the pre-entry and waiting list system will be strictly adhered to! With the heavy conditions, there was no change to the All Time List but Andy Fallas's run was 8th on the Carnethy all time list and Angela's 9th on the Female all time list (and not even a female vet's record!). A big thanks to Adrian at Run and Become, all the marshals and helpers (from Carnethy and elsewhere) and the staff at Symington for helping to make this another enjoyable event. Results. A few more photos here and Kevin Ramage's Flickr album here. |