Sunday 28 February 2010

Moorfoots at Peebles XC

A top day's Winter running in Haylodge Park !

The runners were out in force, the conditions were classic winter XC (cold, muddy, threatening to snow !) and a fantastic turn out of supporters.

On top of that, we had some great individual results from Moorfoot runners, both on the Peebles course and over the full series.

The park was actually ominously quiet around elevel o'clock, and it looked as if the recent weather was perhaps going to take its toll - but as the Junior race start time approached, people started appearing (from the warmth of their cars ?) and by 11:30, the start line was jumping.

Some great Moorfoot Junior performances in the two lap junior race - the 'slalom poles' borrowed from the local football club, adding a professional looking touch to the proceedings and colourful addition to the park; the Costorphine AC 'cow bell' also adding to the atmosphere.

The senior race set off with a few sleaty flakes trying to fall on the proceedings, but never really came to anything. The river side path was muddy, the new climb up to the Saw Mill was testing, the now infamous climb up the Sware Hill field reducing most runners to a shuffle as they breached the 'snow line', before entering the woods and the fast descent through the fields and then the final blast through the woods and along the railway line in even more mud - great stuff !

Moorfoot highlights:

Mike Reid 24:41 (4th)
Tom Hobbs 25:27 (7th)
Mike McGovern 25:57 (11th)
Wull Hynd 26:39 (15th)
Steve Martin 27:00 (20th)
Russell Anderson 27:56 (28th)
Scout Adkin 28:21 (1st Lady, 1st FJ)
Carol Moss 28:42 (2nd Lady, 1st FV45)
Clive Adkin 29:26 (50th)
Julia Connor 29:51 (4th Lady, 1st FV35)
Eddie Balfour 30:31 (59th)
Alex Campbell 30:31 (7th Lady, 2nd FJ)
Alison Caw 34:03 (4th FV40)


Full results here



The series prize giving at the Gytes was also hosted by the Moorfoots this year - hot soup and food from Kingsmeadows Catering was appreciated by all. A big thank you to all who supported the prize giving.


And finally, a very big thank you to all the Moorfoots and friends and families who supported and helped at todays event - there were a lot of very complimentary comments from the runners of other clubs.....well done everyone !

Saturday 27 February 2010

Border XC - Peebles 28-Feb

A quick update...

Some snow overnight into Saturday but all but gone down in the valley, and a light coating up in the hills still. Course is suitably muddy for XC running....
Forecast is for light rain overnight on Sunday but above freezing and cold and sleety for Sunday.

Marshals briefing at 10:45am (Fotheringham Bridge in Haylodge Park)
Junior race starts at 11:30 am in Haylodge Park;
Senior race starts at 12:00 noon in Haylodge Park;
Prize Giving at Gytes Leisure Centre at ~2:00pm - as much support from Moorfoot members as possible please...

Sunday 14 February 2010

Moorfoots at Carnethy5

Pic - Johnny on Carnethy
Nine Moorfoots at this years Carnethy5.

Full results here..

Photos here... and here...

If any of the Moorfoots who took part want to send in a wee report, I'll post it to the Blogger.
Johnny's Carnethy report:
I had a decent race at Carnethy, on a great day with good weather and firm underfoot conditions (if a bit slippy in places). Hadn't been feeling great all week because of a bad cough but I've been training hard. The start had changed a bit, so runners had to run further up the hill past the Charlie's Loup gate and then run up a steeper section at the bottom of Scald Law. I was determined to get a good position towards the front of the race before going through the gate and then up Scald Law, so I stuck to Tom Hobbs on the mad dash over the bog at the beginning. This put me further up the field but I was in oxygen debt from the bottom of the climb.
Russell came past halfway up Scald Law but I didn't have the legs to stay with him, so I stuck to Gregor Heron of Carnethy, who I know is a strong climber and a weak(er) descender. The two of us finished 6 seconds apart at the end - he'd get away from me on the climbs and I'd go past on the descents.
Claire Gordon came past me on the Kips and again, I tried to stay with her, passing her on the way down and then losing position on the way up. Halfway up the gully on the climb of Carnethy, I could see Russell maybe a minute or two ahead but I wasn't getting any closer. I weakened a bit on the last climb but I didn't lose too much position.
The last descent of Carnethy was hard but a lot of fun ripping down snow fields and scree slopes. Unfortunately, the sole of my left shoe ripped half off and my heel started to hang out the bottom, which made the run in a bit tough. A couple of folks passed me again on the final section but there was nothing I could do to go faster with a broken shoe (and dead legs!). At the time I didn't care too much but I was taught a lesson when I found I'd finished 101st. My pre-race target was the top 100 (I was 191st last year).
So, I had a decent race but I was hoping for a bit better. A few enforced days off now, to try to rid my lungs of this cough.
Tom Hobbs had a great race, finishing under the hour in 28th position, Russell finished 62nd in about 62 minutes, I was 101st in 65 minutes, Julia was 22th lady in about 77 minutes and Laurence, Paul, Richard, Andy and Christine (carrying an injury) all got round in fine times.
Cheers.
Johnny

Friday 12 February 2010

Borders XC - Peebles Leg - Club Helpers Required

As most of you know, the Borders XC Series comes to a climax on Sunday 28-Feb in the sixth and final leg at Peebles, hosted by the Moorfoot Runners.

As host club, we have to provide the race infrastructure and resouces - and additionally this year, we are hosting the Prize Giving at The Gytes Leisure centre after the race, where the Series silverware and prizes will be presented.

We need a number of volunteers (club members, friends and family) to make this a successful event....

The 'Early Shift'
This is the pre-race activity - marking out the course, on the day registrations etc.
Meet at Haylodge Park (Fotheringham Bridge) at 9:30am - ideal for those also running the race who can help before they start their pre-race warm ups etc.

The 'Race'
Time keeper helpers, on course marshalls, results processing etc.
Need you from 10:45am (junior race starts at 11:30am) through to the end of the race and for the after race tidyup.

The 'Prize Giving'
Assuming the last runners are home by ~1:00pm (senior race starts at 12:00) and allowing for a quick tidyup and time to get down to the Gytes, the prize giving will start ~2:00pm.
Therefore we need a number of helpers to serve tea and coffee etc. and assist with the catering.
Need you from 1:00pm at the Gytes.

Please can you confirm your ability to help to me kg.davidsonATbtinternet.com and any time restrictions you may have, as soon as possible.

Usual rule for Running Clubs applies, no different at the Moorfoots - if you are running in a race hosted by your club, ensure that you have confirmed your help pre/post race or provide a substitute.

Regards...

Kenny

Wednesday 10 February 2010

Moorfoot Runners 2010 Membership Renewal

Renewal of membership of the Moorfoot Runners is now due.
Still a bargain at £15 for Seniors, £20 for couples, £10 for Juniors.

Family membership is still available, at the changed rate of £20 for couple plus £5 for each child who races. This ensures that the Moorfoot Runners can cover the Scottish Athletics club levies for each named runner in the club.

To continue racing and representing the club in Moorfoot colours, please ensure that you are a paid-up 2010 member.

Download a form here...

Fill in the form - write a cheque (payable to 'Moorfoot Runners')

Post it or deliver it to:

Kirsty Davidson (Moorfoot Secretary/Treasurer)
52 Edderston Road
Peebles
EH45 9DT

PCC Glentress Trailquest - May2010

Here's a local event which might appeal to a few of you with mountain bikes..!!

PCC Glentress Trailquest 2010.
This unique event is being held on Sunday 2nd May 2010 in Glentress Forrest.

It would be good to see you taking part, so please get you entries in as soon as possible by clicking on this link:

https://www.entrycentral.com/index.php?raceID=100531

More information on the event can be found here:

http://www.trailquest-scotland.com/?cat=35

We can guarantee that you will visit parts of Glentress you never knew existed!

Sunday 7 February 2010

2010 Beltane 10K Race Meeting

Minutes of meeting held Friday 29-Jan at link here...

In summary, at the meeting, it was decided to make this year's Beltane 10K a 'trail race' - planning and preparation now underway.

Date of race will be Sunday 20th June (get this date in your diary !!) which is the first Sunday of Beltane week.

Moorfoots at Gala XC

Pic - Hurry up Scout !
A changed course this year - longer, hillier (a few folk commented they had done easier hill races !) and tougher - but what a cracker; a great days racing ! Lots of mud, but generally good underfoot conditions as we circumnavigated sheep fields, and the ups and downs of good Border countryside.

Some excellent course-side cheering from Moorfoot friends, families and from our Juniors (who all completed strongly in the earlier race) - a few comments from our senior runners on how great it was to hear the 'Moorfoots' being cheered on...

New Moorfoot Mike Reid led the charge with a fantasic third place (31:56), taking a number of significant scalps from other clubs. Mike McGovern (we'll soon be able to field a team of 'Mikes') continued his good form with another top10 finish (8th 33:08) with Tom Hobbs again not far behind (10th 33:17), and Wull Hynd also in the mix (14th 33:52).

Further down the ranks, Russell (28th 35:49) used his downhill speed to pull away from his following pack and reverse last weeks result over Innerleithen runner Robert Patterson (29th).

Scout returned to the XC series after a few weeks of exams, to take first lady position (36:28) - Kenny not far behind in 33rd place (36:39).

Carol Moss took another FV45 1st (37:53), just holding off Clive Adkin (38:10).

Julia (40:00 59th) held off fellow Moorfoot Alex Campbell (40:21), making a guest appearance while home for mid term from Uni , with Wattie sanpping at their heels not far back (65th 40:44). President Mike Pearson rounded off the day, in 60:07.

Full results here...
More pictures here, courtesy of Ian Nimmo...

Team results after five rounds still to be calculated, but Corstorphine still in the lead allowing for a discard I think.

Final round at Peebles on 28-Feb - lot's of help required from club members for marshalling and pre race preparations and post race activities (we are hosting the series prize giving in the Gytes Sports Centre). A good turn out of volunteers will be really appreciated - an opportunity to 'put a little back' into your club....