Traprain Law Hill Race 2003
The Traprain Law Race enjoyed the usual perfect summer weather. The grass on the Law was long and nettle-ridden, the sheep preferring to chew the race flags rather than keeping the grass short. The river was almost at drought level with farmers irrigating the fields using diesel pumps on the river bank.
A much-reduced field of 34 runners was probably due to competition from the Edinburgh Marathon, Rosa Horseshoe and Lowe Alpine Marathon. A new and unwelcome feature of the course was a vast tower of formwork for the construction of a giant bridge across the Tyne to carry the new Haddington to Dunbar expressway. From this, we hope, an elegant soaring bridge will emerge swanlike for the next race. But the runners will still have to wade through the river. The next change in the East Lothian landscape will probably be the total replacement of arable farming by golf courses, paintball emporiums, executive housing and lunchtime lapdancing in the pubs.
Al Hart of HBT had to wait until he was off the rough descent of the Law before hauling in Brian Marshall of HELP and coming home to a comfortable win. Most of the usual Carnethy gang were elsewhere, leaving Kate Friend, Graeme Carracher, Bill Gauld, Dean Sewell and Colin Pritchard to represent the host club. Bill, with a perception only available to Bill, found the corner of a garden which could save him 0.45 seconds +/- 1% in a close finish and he will be carrying out accurate surveys in time for next year’s event. Colin was fastest V60 and Bill fastest V70.
Angela Wood, Joanne Anderson and Nick Macdonald combined marshalling with some bike training for the Highland Cross next week. Much thanks to them for their help.
Keith Burns

Results