2018 was an interesting year for me as it was the first time I had ‘bad’ weather to contend with. In the end, the strong wind stayed away, and the rain wasn’t too bad other than everything getting wet, which left me feeling somewhat disorganised as I kept putting things down in places to stray dry and then I couldn’t find them again! But thanks to all the helpers, the day passed without major issue. We had a couple of juniors turn back sooner than they needed to, but I put that down to my pre-race explanation of the route which I realised had got far too complicated for them to follow! So it made for a ‘sprint’ junior race which caught us all out at the finish line as we wre relaxing into the post start ‘lull’.
Many trhanks go out to all helpers without who, as usual, the race just wouldn’t go ahead. A special mention to the ‘car park’ marshals who this year had to be a bit more ‘hands-on’ than usual as cars struggled in the muddy field. I think you have all earned yourselves a ‘desk job’ next year!
See you all again in 2019!
Chris Henty
Exceptionally difficult to photograph the race in the poor light whilst running. Storm someone or other arrived and dumped a lot of Water on the Manor, and everywhere else too. But there was no wind and it was quite warm. The forecast was terrible but the rain more or less stopped for the race, leaving lovely views of mist wreathed hills. The going was maybe better than last year as the overall season’s been so dry, but it was still pretty gloopy. The parking field was a challenge in spite of portable metal tracks. Still, plenty of tractors around if needed.
Carnethy ladies stood out. Rachel Normand 1st lady with Nicola Duncan in 2nd and Hilary Spenceley 1st FV60. John Hammond was 3rd man, Graham Nash 2nd MV40, Joanne Anderson 2nd FV40, Joanne Thin 2nd FV50, Gordon Cameron 1st V60.
The traditional bottle of beer for every finisher continues (hurrah!) in spite of brewery sponsorship stopping. The upside is a wider range of beer (hurrah!). The tea tent was missing (boo!), but this was because the previous day’s gales prevented the marquee being erected, so instead there were multiple agricultural trailers deployed (hurrah!), with alarmingly steep ramps for tired runners.
Joel was trialling barcoded numbers with tear off strips, to be used in tomorrow’s Skyline race. Every runner had the strip torn off and stapled to a ribbon (and tearing them off was not always simple depending on how the number was attached, folded, impeded by bumbag etc). The fluttering strips adding a decorative touch to the finish line. It will be a sight to behold with the numbers running the Skyline. So good luck with that!
The weather could have put people off but the turnout was good. The river was surprisingly warm for a post race wash. Well done all! Results here.
Digby