Yesterday saw our return to the Congrie Conga, a fun run and warm-up opportunity before the grown-ups’ Chapelgill race. The strong wind and drizzle were even less inviting than last year’s deep snow, but there were five brave junior runners nonetheless. Carnethies made up 60% of the field! Martin Hyman gave us our race briefing. There were two options: the Half Conga (500m with 50m climb) for the more diminutive runners, and the Full Conga (1200m with 150m climb) for the more hardy adventurers.
A sprint start quickly gave way to a hand-on-knees slog up Congrie Hill. The route had been curtailed to a lower level in 2013 due to the deep snow, so this was the first time we’d experienced Congrie’s tough ascent. The field formed a fairly close group up to the Half Conga turning point, at which point Solly, Ronnie and non-Carnethy Alexander hurtled back down to the start. Ronnie’s time was 6 minutes 0 seconds, and Solly came in at 6 minutes 15 seconds.
Rosie and one other runner continued right up to the top where we were cheered on by a chilly marshal. Heading back down, the people at the start/finish looked very small. Rosie experimented with doonhilling techniques to mixed success. Rolling was surprisingly unsuccessful, given the steepness of the hill, and didn’t even result in any of the prized muddy patches.
Rosie and the other boy came in with a photo-finish – both managing a time of 16 minutes and 16 seconds, which I think was excellent. Everyone was given a KitKat, Smarties, juice and a certificate, and there were smiles all round. I would thoroughly recommend this fun run to other Carnethy Juniors next year!
Blog report: http://athousandwindsthatblow.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/congrie-conga-and-impromptu-chapelgill.html
Mary