Cauldstane Slap 27th November 2016 (5.3miles 400ft)
This was the 42nd running of the event, organised by Jim Cooney of the Lothian Cycle Club, who unfortunately was unable to attend this year.
A small but elite band of runners assembled in the cold but dry morning. The usual haggling took place over handicaps, but Eddie MacDonald’s word was final. Numbers were up this year to 24 owing to the lack of competing events.
Conditions underfoot were quite icy in parts up on the Drove road, so some care was needed this year after Baddingsgill Reservoir.
I was off 0 handicap, meaning I was expected to do 50 mins . I was set off with Debbie Macdonald and Ewan and Holly Burns but managed to escape at the top of the first climb. I passed Robin Thomas by the farm gate. After that it was a bit lonely but I had to keep an eye on the track to avoid the worst of the ice. I passed Eddie MacDonald just before the turn where the track becomes very rough, but thankfully no ice.
A quick wave to Keith Weston marshalling at the top and then a blistering descent again having to negotiate ice fields.
I looked back, and saw the red vest of Paul Burns some distance behind. I made a spirited attempt to increase the pace, but out of the blue Ray Ward stormed past me at the final gate with only 500 odd yards to go, followed by Don Naylor and Al Hart. Paul also passed and did well to catch Al Hart.
I finished 5th , less than 1 minute behind Ray and pretty close to my predicted time.
Thanks to Lothian Cycle Club and Ferranti AAC, who assisted with handicapping and timekeeping.
Brian Howie
Results and more reports below
A contingent of 7 Carnethies turned up for the final fixture in the Diamond League, which seems to have passed Farah and Bolt by! We joined another 17 hardy souls who made the trip up to Baddinsgill Farm for this lovely, low-key race. It’s handicapped – based purely on how fast you say you are (practice your limps and honest faces to try and get a good handicap!). It’s an out-and back up to the col between East and West Cairn hill, in the Western reaches of the Pentlands. The route is along the old drove road to Livingston, today, because of the recent cold weather, the track was very icy, which made getting into a rhythm difficult, although the guys who raced past me didn’t seem to be having too many traction problems. The prize giving was magnificent – I think everyone got to choose something off the wheelie bins – this is what hill running is about!
Many thanks to the organisers – fantastic race enjoyed by all.
Paul Burns
“The Magnificent Seven”
Battling through Sunday morning lie-in’s, 7 Carnethy members duelled it out West (Linton) with the HBT’s up the icey paths from Baddinsgill Farm to the Cauldstane Slap and back – Paul Burns, shot his way to 3rd…
Richard, Hilary, Brian, Paul, Andy, Holly and Euan
Richard Chandler
Position | Name | Finish Time | Handicap (mins) | Actual Time | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ray Ward | 49:37 | -14 | 35:37 | |
2 | Don Naylor | 50:10 | -17 | 33:10 | Fastest |
3 | Paul Burns | 50:14 | -5 | 45:14 | |
4 | Al Hart | 50:20 | -13 | 37:20 | |
5 | Brian Howie | 50:33 | 0 | 50:33 | |
6 | Neil Pendrich | 50:46 | -9 | 41:46 | |
7 | Andy Spenceley | 51:33 | -10 | 41:33 | |
8 | Michael Barton | 52:00 | -8 | 44:00 | |
9 | Phylis O'Brian | 52:16 | -5 | 47:16 | |
10 | Kate Kitchin | 52:26 | -5 | 47:26 | |
11 | Dave Steele | 52:28 | -6 | 46:28 | |
12 | Malcolm Parry | 53:20 | -10 | 43:20 | |
13 | Julia Locherbach | 53:26 | -5 | 48:36 | |
14 | Ewan Burns | 54:11 | 0 | 54:11 | |
15 | Richard Chandler | 54:57 | -2 | 52:57 | |
16 | Claire Ward | 55:37 | -10 | 45:37 | Fastest Female |
17 | Holly Burns | 57:26 | 0 | 57:26 | |
18 | Eddie Mcdonald | 59:22 | +10 | 69:22 | |
19 | Debbie MacDonald | 59:22 | 0 | 59:22 | |
20 | Ian Campbell | 62:32 | -5 | 57:32 | |
21 | Alex McEwan | 64:51 | -5 | 59:51 | |
22 | Andy Kitchin | 64:51 | -9 | 55:51 | |
23 | Hilary Spenceley | 68:15 | -5 | 63:15 | |
24 | Robin Thomas | 74:15 | +2 | 76:15 |