The final long race in the trio series of Duathlons took place on the Bowhill Estate near Selkirk with 4 Carnethies ready for the mud, puddles, tree roots, more mud, fallen trees and a lolly pop and Easter egg prize for everyone. This race started with a mountain bike course up, down and around Pernassie Hill of about 10km and 350m climbing. After transition, an out and back undulating running course up said hill of 10km and 300m ascent ensued. Both routes had some techie sections in between the quagmire sections to add to the fun and games both on bike and on foot.
The BBC Adventure Show was there to film the action so there was a lot of clean gear on show and maybe the odd bit of make-up? No, it can’t be, I should have shaved. Based on their presence at the skyline, this will be shown in about 6 months time probably! 149 set off. Adam Anderson was up for a prize, Mike Lynch was chomping at the bit for a podium place if a few V40s didn’t turn up. He made sure he was interviewed by the telly folk wearing an advert for Seona Burnett and then worried he’d made her top too muddy that the advert wouldn’t show! Steve Best turned up for a try at biking and running. We’d need a slow bike from him for any chance… I had no chance of a podium place, but hoped to do better this year for only having only done 18 miles of the Circo Edinburgh run the day before with Sparky (unlike last year when I did it all and found the race was a tad tiring).
The weather pleasured us with 2 degrees C, rain, snow, low cloud and a wee breeze, and did I mention the mud? Yep, there was a bit of that, but no ice this time. The race winner was Rory Downie from Edinburgh RC in a time to make everyone else seem decidedly average – finishing 6.5 mins ahead of second place. Rosemary Byde was first lady beating me for the second race in a row by <15 seconds despite changing places 8 times. 4th place was a relay team making the following results for Carnethy bods.
Adam Anderson 10th (9th individual), (PB by >3 mins)
Mike Lynch 13th (12th), (PB by >13 mins)
Mark Hartree 17th (16th) (PB by>11 mins, 5.5 min improvement in last years run time on fresher legs)
Steve Best 26th (25th) (Yes everyone, get this, Mark and Mike beat Steve in a race… amazing).
The overall Series results placed Adam Anderson in 3rd, Mike Lynch 4th and me 6th MV40 out of 24 who completed the whole series. Next year, we should encourage a team prize as I think Carnethy would win that…
Thanks to the organisers and the poor marshals out in the cold, wet and mud for so long. Nice place Bowhill though and good wee café if you are in the area.
Full long race results here. Standings after series here.
Mark Hartree