Tuesday 30 October 2012

Lauder BXC Update

Please read the update below on the BXC website before Sunday's race at Lauder...if you can download the entry form and have it filled out in-advance, and the exact money for entry, you will speed the registration process.....thanks....
Note also that registration  is now in the park where the race starts (different regitsration venue from previous years)

http://www.bordersxc.com/2012/10/round-1-lauder-4th-november-2012.html

Monday 29 October 2012

Inside the Ultra

I ran in yesterday's ultra marathon. It was a good route, just very hard going across the fields and alongside the Tweed, the climb over the 3 Eildon was actually one of the easiest parts of the course. Route finding was my greatest challenge (I managed to run off course 5 times) the organisers had done a good job marking the route but there were a few junctions that were a little unclear and this coupled with failing brain power in the latter stages cost me dear. I moved into 4th position just after the 3rd of the Eildon summits but then missed the left turning just after Bowden and ended running past Bowden Kirk, after realising my error I retraced my steps and managed to re-take 4th place just after Maxton. Just as 4th place was looking assured I missed the right turning on an estate road just 4 miles outside of Jedburgh and then quickly got lost again turning left rather right through the woods (just for good measure I jumped across a stream and ran around in a big circle in a farmer's field which was no where near the route!). While all this was going on the 4th, 5th and 6th place runners over took me, meaning I ended up finishing 7th in 6hrs 20(something). Definitely an event I'd do again, I just might stick to the conventional route next year.

Cheers James


(Confessions of a mad man ? [Ed])

Sunday 28 October 2012

Jedburgh Festival of Running 2012

Colin at ~1K (photo Bob Marshall)
Tenth anniversary event this year and a record turn out for 10K and Half Marathon, plus a new Ultra Distance event - Moorfoot participation in all three !

10K
OK, the short one, but a lumpy course and the inevitable westerly wind after the half way turn makes for a tough race.

Mike McGovern (39:11) was first Moorfoot home, on his comeback race after a period of injury. Hot on his heels was Kenny (39:21) - pleased with that; well paced and gained a good number of places on the second 5K.

Well done also to Peebles' Corrine McGovern (53:56), Graham Foreman (53:26) and Peebles High School teacher Caroline Wallace (42:19) who took 3rd place in the Ladies race.

Half Marathon
The 'original' Jedburgh Running Festival race - same course as 10K at the start before extending out to Eckford for the turn and the torturous return into the wind.

Darin was first Moorfoot home (1:19:30) and this impressive time was good enough for 2nd Vet40.
Colins was next (1:25:31) in what looked like a good tussle with Innerleithen's Craig Rendle (1:25:14). Andy Cox's hot early pace looked like it 'cooled' too soon, but 1:28:52 was still a very good time. Paul Nichol (1:39:23) showed that his recent Marathon has not slowed him down, and it was good to see Watt Barrie (1:44:12) back in action again...

A mention too for a few of my neighbours - a good turn out from Edderston Road and the nearby streets...

Neil Turner 1:50:53, Sheena Turner 1:54:53, Martin Holt 1:37:20, Iona Minto 2:04:34

Ultra
The big one - 38 miles, including the Three Peaks of the Eildons (yes, you run almost to Melrose and up the hill before heading back to Jedburgh....) ...yikes !!

Results still coming in - winning time was 5:34....Innerleithen's Izzy Knox was first lady in 6:46
Possible Moorfoot time to capture in  here.....

*Update* - James Britton 7th place in 6:26

All results available here....

Club Entry for Virgin London Marathon 2013

The Moorfoot Runners' club have applied for club places at next years (2013) Virgin London Marathon - we have been allocated one entry.

This entry is available to Moorfoot members under the following conditions:

  • Must be paid up Moorfoot Runners member in 2012
  • Priorty will go to those who have applied in the ballot for 2013 places and have had a rejection letter
  • In the case of multiple requests from paid up members with rejection letters, we will draw a name out of a hat
  • In the case of no one having a rejection letter but still multiple interest, we will draw a name out of a hat
  • In the event that the lucky winner then pulls out of the event in advance, they must return the place to the club for reallocation

  • Please inform me (Moorfoot Club Secretary kg.davidsonATbtinternet.com) of your interest in this club place by Friday 9-November - if we have multiple interest, we will draw a name out of a hat at a committee meeting and inform the lucky winner.

    Monday 22 October 2012

    Juniors to the Fore for Team Borders

    A muddy Stirling Uni was the venue for the 1st of 3 East District Cross-Country League races on Saturday and a good representation of Moorfoot juniors helped Team Borders to 4 age-group team wins out 7.

    In the U11 races (1600m), new member (on the day!) Craig Angus from the Leithenburn running school was 8th boy and Beth Hobbs 4th girl, the girls sneaking a 1-point team win over Edinburgh but the boys romping home by 32 points from Aberdeen thanks to 1st and 3rd places from the Gala runners.

    Selkirk based Moorfoot Zaynah Aziz was 2nd in the U13 girls race over 2,800m, backed up by good running from Mairi Wallace in 10th. Kazya Stevens was a bit off form in 34th and Ailsa Innes unfortunately DNF'd with her off/on knee pain but Team Borders still secured 2nd team. The Boys' U13 team comprised lads who were all stepping up from U11 so did well to finish 4th team, helped by Euan Hood's solid run for 17th.

    Recent recruit Charlotte Barber ran a well-paced race over 3,200m for 15th in the combined U15/U17 Girls race (8th U15) but Niamh Shaw was hit with a bad stitch. She did well to battle on bravely for 27th and will improve on that. Their team was 3rd. Kobe "The Cube" Stevens finished strongly for 10th in a hot U15 boys race helping Team Borders to another team win. Ruairidh Britton was also 27th.

    Finally it was a resounding 18-point win for the U17 Men in their 6,000m race courtesy of Selkirk based Moorfoots John McLean and Jack Stanners in 1st and 3rd with Jacob Adkin continuing his good form to come home in 6th.

    With the composite Team Borders only contesting the age-group races, Scout Adkin was the sole Moorfoot in the senior/U20 race in which she ran strongly to finish 2nd junior and 9th overall.

    Thursday 18 October 2012

    Scottish Hill Runners - end of season 'doo'

    SHR is having its prize giving and annual doo on Saturday 3rd November in Aberfoyle (two weeks time!!!). More details at


    http://www.shr.uk.com/NewsItems.aspx?NewsItemID=1313

    The cost is £20 a head for dinner and ceilidh with B&B available in the village.
    Contact Angela for further details - angela.mudge@btinternet.com

    Tuesday 16 October 2012

    New Moorfoot at the Liverpool Marathon

    Liverpool Marathon 2012


    As a new member of Moorfoots I ran the Liverpool marathon on Sunday 14th October. I had run my first marathon just 6 weeks before (the Moray Marathon) and had enjoyed it so much I thought I would try a big city event! Liverpool is my home city and so a visit to my parents combined with a race seemed like to good a chance to miss.

    The weather was glorious and the setting superb – 12 miles on the Wirral side of the Mersey, much of it running along the coast looking across to the skyline of Liverpool, then a run through the Mersey tunnel (a strange experience!) and another 12 miles or so in Liverpool. The crowds were fantastic and their support was especially needed as we climbed for a mile up Upper Parliament Hill on mile 18 towards Toxteth and Sefton Park.

    I came home in 3:39:04 – exactly 5 minutes slower than my debut run 6 weeks previously, but more than happy with 2 sub 3:40 runs in my first 2 marathons. Gave the brand new Moorfoots vest its first outing (see photo) and had several shouts of ‘Go Moorfoots!’ on the way round!

    Look forward to joining in some Moorfoots events in 2013.

    Barry Hughes...

    Moorfoots at the Pentland Skline

    A record field of runners for the Pentland Sykline on Sunday (250). Myself and Julia were the only Moorfoot entries (Michael Reid was wearing a Carnethy vest!).


    A very slow frustrating start (unless you were at the front) with much jostling for position on the initial steep climb above Hill End ski centre. The field gradually spread out as each hill took its toll.

    Conditions underfoot were extremely wet with a couple of runners dissapearing into the bog infront of me, there were some thigh deep river/swamp crossings to negotiate on the return leg which freshened the legs up.

    I managed to stay ahead of Julia until about 3 miles from the finish when I completely died and really struggled to finish. Not sure what happened - tight chest and feeling dizzy. Julia was also not on top form with a cold, she did have the excuse of running the Manor Water Hill race the day before.! So not very impressive times Julia - 3:44, myself 4:06. Mike Reid was up at the sharp end in 8th position with a time of 2:46.



    regards

    Eddie

    Monday 15 October 2012

    Moorfoots at the Kielder Marathon

    A cold but sunny Sunday morning was the Kielder Marathon. It's promoted as Britain's most beautiful sporting event and you can see why.


    I thought that I was the only Moorfoot but met Watt from Yarrow. I said I would give him a name check on the blog.

    The course is all off road except bits of tarmac path and where you cross the dam.

    The bit which gets you if you have never done it before is the surprise climbs and descents which in some cases are very steep. Really takes is out the legs and strategic walking is recommended.

    Managed 1.55 to the turn but waned in the second half and finished in 4.20. I'm told to add 10% on to a normal road race so I am putting that down as a 3.55.

    Would recommend this a team event for next year as this is right up our street but might be too early after the 2 breweries. Will almost certainly do it again next year but will need to spend more time on the hills and in Glentress.

    --

    J. Paul Nichol