The
Pentland Skyline 2007
Stewart Whitlie on West
Kip (Photo courtesy
of Alan Young)
The Classic Pentland Skyline Hill Race had never seen such fine weather in years. The race in its 22nd year, attracted a field of 131 runners. The youngest competitor (and finisher) was Hector Haines of Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds, aged 18, and the oldest competitor (and finisher) was John Littlewood of Carnethy, aged 68. The field of fired runners set off up towards the skyline to start an epic journey of the capital’s solitude. The 16 mile circuit starts at the Midlothian Snowsports Centre and incorporates fourteen peaks of the Pentland Hills. The clear day and the helpful marshals on most hilltops made navigation easier along the unmarked race route, with more that 50% of the race route being along path. While the volunteers were busy processing entries and getting the finish set up, reports started to roll in from marshals at the halfway point. Andy Symonds of Carnegie was leading the race and Sula Young of HBT was the leading lady. Previous World Masters champion Bill Gauld stood at the finish squinting through his binoculars trying to identify the number of the first runner alighting from the skyline. It was Andy Symonds, who later finished in a time of 2:31:38. Record holder Andy Kitchin of Lothian (who also ran this year) still maintains his 1994 record of 2:22:40. The first lady was Sula Young of HBT who finished in 3:01:05. Marshals’ water supplies started to deplete and even the outside water tap at the Snowsports Centre also ran dry as the finish officials tried their best to provide for the finishing runners while they basked in the warm afternoon as they waited for the prize giving. Beer and Wine always puts a smile on prizewinners’ faces after 6200 feet of climbing. The Pentland Skyline Hill Race always requires a mammoth team of volunteers to make the event safe and enjoyable for all. This year’s event involved 35 volunteers spread on and off the hills. The landowners always provide great support for the race and they should be acknowledged for their cooperation. Well done to all and we hope to see you all again for next years race which is scheduled for Sunday 12th October 2008. Shane Bouchier |
Photos compliments of Gordon Cameron, Charlie Ramsay and more.
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| Male | |||
| MS | 1 | Andy Symonds | Carnegie |
| 2 | Alasdair Anthony | Ochils | |
| 3 | Grant Stewart | EAC | |
| MV40 | 1 | Colin Donnelly | Lochaber AC |
| 2 | Stewart Whitlie | Carnethy HRC | |
| 3 | Chris Upson | Westerlands | |
| MV50 | 1 | John Blair-Fish | Carnethy HRC |
| 2 | Gordon McCaffrey | Clydesdale | |
| MV60 | 1 | Tom Bowie | Fife AC |
| 2 | Charlie Love | Dundee Hawkhill | |
| M TEAM | 1 | Simon Peachey | Carnethy HRC |
| Stewart Whitlie | Carnethy HRC | ||
| Steven Fallon | Carnethy HRC | ||
| Female | |||
| FS | 1 | Sula Young | HBT |
| 2 | Ellen Homewood | Westerlands | |
| 3 | Emma O'Shea | U/A | |
| FV40 | 1 | Joanna Schreiber | Pudsey & Bramley |
| 2 | Mary Hunter | Portobello | |
| 3 | Deborah MacDonald | HBT | |
| FV50 | 1 | <none awarded> | |
| 2 | <none awarded> | ||
| FV60 | 1 | <none awarded> | |
| 2 | <none awarded> | ||
| F TEAM | 1 | <none awarded> | |