The Devils Burdens Relay 2002A record entry of 43 teams contested the Devils Burdens Hill Race Relay from Falkland over the Lomond Hills, Fife this year. Once again the Devils Burdens proved an exciting and enjoyable race with the usual dramas and wild weather. However the times were significantly faster than last year when the mist played a big part in the outcome. In the mens event, the race went right to the wire unfolding on the last leg with Cosmic Hill Bashers having a slender lead over Carnethy. Shettlestons Dermot McGonigle and Desmundo Crow (flying into the wind) held a narrow early lead over Carnethy pairing Adam Ward and Stuart Whitlie on leg 1 into the teeth of the gale. An amazing effort by Dan Whitehead on leg 2 saw Cosmics leap into orbit with a storming run and the Cosmic pair of Tim Griffin and the guesting Paul Sheard, maintained a lead of just 9 seconds over Carnethys Brad Connor and Andy Spenceley going into the last leg. Keith Varney one of the top Scottish veterans was up against the younger blood of Mark Johnston of Carnethy with the rest of the pack two and a half minutes behind. With the wind behind them, they flew along, Keith holding a narrow lead going into the Falkland estate forestry. Unfortunately for Cosmics a wrong turn lost valuable time in the forest, which allowed Mark and several other teams past Cosmics, to rapturous Carnethy delight on the finish line in Falkland. It was a close finish, as Shettleston (second team), were closely followed home by Graham Bee of Fife (third team), who made a valiant effort to retain the trophy for Fife. The womens race saw a fast overall time of 3:03:22 by Carnethy ladies who were 19 minutes ahead of Fife ladies. Tracey Brindley was in fine form setting a new record on leg 2 in 29:52, with Angela Mudge setting a new record on the last leg of 36:35. Will anyone be able to challenge the Carnethy women in the next few years if they keep setting records like these?? Fife has a similar monopoly on the Vets race with another win showing their depth in age. Does everyone retire to Fife? The unfortunate statistic that the average age of the runners is going up does not bode well for running in the future, so where are the new recruits? Should we open the race up to some more junior teams or secondary schools over an easier modified course? The fastest legs (records in bold) are below Leg Men Women 1 D McGonigle/D Crowe 36:08 (34.06) K Powell/J Tait 47:54 (45.54) 2 D Whitehead 25:37 (24.58) T Brindley 29:52 (previous record 34.48) 3 D Anderson/A Davis 45:31(43:00) L Wilson/K Powell 1:00:30 (58:00) 4 G Bee 34:28 (32.51) A Mudge 36:35. (Previous record 38.14) 2002 Overall winners Carnethy 2:27:38 Carnethy 3:03:22 Record Livingston 2.22.27(2000) Carnethy 3.01.18 (2000) A big thanks go to all the marshalls, organisers, cooks and helpers, especially Frank and Margaret McLaren who organised the entries. Also Gary Barker and Dave Bee in the kitchen, Frank Cation for marking leg 4, Joe Holden for leg 1, John Cummings, Laurie Anderson, Tom Ross, Graham Bennison and Dave Francis. The ceilidh also proved a great success with local band Scooroot making it a great days entertainment and a great way to relax after the race. You even missed Frank Cations tabletop rendition of Scottish soldier!! Thanks to Ronnie Mill, Andy Barker, AlistairRobertson on the bar and hope to see you all at the ceilidh next year. Thanks for coming, hope you enjoyed it and see you next year. Adrian Davis
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