It was the final Scottish Hill Runners Championship race in the Borders on Saturday.
At 6.5km 400m it was a short course and the shortest in the series. The race started with a runnable out and back to Venchen Hill summit. There was slight frustration for the leader runners as the initial gate was shut, then opened, several missed the turn and had to double back. Normal order soon resumed with two of Scotland’s top hill runners Finlay Wild and Andrew Douglas leading at the front.
After Venchen it was back through the showground and across the fast-flowing Bowmont Water. Runners then headed up to the summit of the steeper Starough hill. The red carpet was rolled out for this section, not just for Scottish Champions but to protect the wall. It was a rough steep descent back to the showground including another chance to get wet in Bowmont Water.
Winners were Finlay Wild (Lochabar) and Emily Cowper-Coles (unattached). Both breaking the previous course records.
Ali Masson was 3rd and 1st Carnethy. Michael Reid was first vet following a close competitive race with Andrew Davis from Ochils.
Full results, lookup ‘Yetholm Shepherds Show Race’:
https://www.scottishhillrunners.uk/RaceResults.aspx
Final Championship results are still to be published. We do know category winners include Carnethy members: Andrew Fallas v40, Andy Macrae v50 and Stewart Whitlie v55 & v60. Well done.
Thanks to Norham Running Club in a well organised and friendly race. Lots of excellent photo’s posted on Norham Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/339316272842297
Half of the £10 entry fee gets donated to Border Search & Rescue Unit.
Tractor pulling
Following the hill race it was the team 10-metre tractor pull.
Carnethy team was never a favourite but certainly not expected to come 2nd last, which we did. Andy Macrae falling over mid pull, and Ali’s team selection were two possible root causes. Other non-selected members were drafted to Finlay’s Lochaber team which did slightly better.
Exclusive tractor pulling full results:
Position | Team | secs.millsecs |
1 | Big Muzza’s Men | 12.57 |
2 | Bowmont Valley Ladies | 13.98 |
3 | Dan’s Men | 15.09 |
4 | Edinburgh Uni Hare & Hounds | 16.10 |
5 | Brunton Men | 16.23 |
6 | Dun’s Pipe Band | 16.31 |
7 | Shettleston Harriers | 16.56 |
8 | Border Search & Rescue Unit | 16.58 |
9 | Lochaber (incl. Deeside + Carnethy) | 17.10 |
10 | O Team | 17.16 |
11 | Lochfower | 17.21 |
12 | Poppi’s Ladies | 17.28 |
13 | Westies | 17.67 |
14 | Carnethy | 19.79 |
15 | Bowmont Valley Men | 22.43 |
Andy Lamont