While many Carnethies ran either the cross-country in Broxburn or the Feel the Burns race in Selkirk, a mile down the road on the Bowhill Estate two brave Carnethies braved the semi-frozen, snow covered tracks, trails and bogs to complete the medium duathalon of the 3 race series.
Having missed the first race with various whinges and having had a pretty rough Xmas I didn’t have great expectations that my lung capacity was up to much for the effort involved. Nick Williamson made some similar lame comments about illness, but I didn’t believe him at all. Last year he got lost; this year I told him to follow the arrows.
This duathalon is arranged by the Durty Events Team who also do Craggy Island and other things. It is a mountain bike and a run combo. The bike section for the medium race is just under 5 miles and takes in a gruelling climb to start with and plenty of interest to follow. It has a few technical bits and plenty of scope for epic crashes in the semi frozen mud, ruts, puddles and a slippery bridge. The run section also takes in the hills of Bowhill and while a bit icy and muddy, has a lovely finish around the frozen lochs.
I did better that expected, but much worse than last year coming in 41/156. Nick Williamson said he got lost again (somehow) and his ‘illness’ put him in 3rd place – 28 seconds behind the winner Oleg Chepelin.
Results here. Sorry if other Carnethies there were not mentioned!
Mark Hartree