Sunday 29 December 2013

Innerleithen Festive Handicap Results

The weather was kind and there was a good turn out from the Moorfoots and the Innerleithen Runners & Riders and friends for the festive handicap. Some nice views were to be had if you had a moment to look up! Mince pies and blethering after made for an enjoyable morning.

Thank you to Russel for marshalling.

The route was measured at 5.1miles with 330m ascent - the profile is here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/421124002#






















The first home was Mike catching Mandy in the last 100 metres or so - the results are below
Mairi Bell ran the short course unopposed in 29.34. Some photos here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ml523p3xmtzg7jc/74LALuLoUf

Mike in action on the last wee hill

Long route results:


 NameStart timeFinish TimeFinish PositionScratch TimeScratch Position
Mike McGovern21:0056:39135:392
Mandy Rogers00:0056:46256:4611
Barry Keepence10:3057:49347:199
Jane Bryant15:0057:59442:597
Andrew Cox23:0058:34535:341
Geraint Florida James21:0058:40637:403
Kenny Davidson18:3059:10741:405
Jane Sargent06:0059:55853:5510
Fi Williams16:0060:30944:308
Becky Henderson00:0060:571060:5713
Eddie Balfour18:3061:201142:506
Gary Forrest22:0063:351241:354
Kerry McGough05:0063:401358:4012

Friday 27 December 2013

Boxing Day Mast Run 2013

13 at the summit of Dunslair

Good turn out of Moorfoots and guests on Boxing Day this year, for the various festive runs...before regrouping for a hot drink and a blether back at the Glentress Peel cafe.
Weather has very favourable  - a brief weather window of calm and sunshine, between the gales and rain which will bookmark this years Christmas break...

Further festive handicap race on Sunday 29-Dec at Innerleithen....see you there...

http://moorfootrunners.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/moorfoot-festive-handicap-innerleithen.html

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Moorfoot Boxing Day Runs



Three festive offerings this Boxing Day (Thrs 26-Dec)....

Three French Hens - the traditional run to the mast on Dunslair
Meet at the Gytes Sport Centre Peebles at 9:50am for a 10:00am start
Sociable pace up to the Dunslair Radio Mast - there will be stops to regroup, and you are climbing to over 1500' , and it is December....so dress accordingly.

The run will then finish at the Glentress Peel Café around 11:30am - about 90mins ish  and 7 miles ish of hilly running

Two Turtle Burds - a Christmas Handicap run along the cycle path (aka the multi user pathway)
Meet at the Peebles Hydro Stables junction (at the start of the bike path Peebles end) for 10:50am and an 11:00am start
Slowest off first, fastest last - run along bike path to just before the road at the Glentress Hotel - approx. distance 1.5 miles...nice and flat...
Juniors and Seniors welcome....

Meet up at the Glentress Peel Café afterwards, to meet the returning mast runners

Partridge in a Pear Tree - over done it on Christmas Day and just fancy a coffee at the café ?
Meet up at the Glentress Peel Café for 11:30am for a blether with the returning mast and handicap runners

...and if you can't make Boxing Day, there is a further Moorfoot Handicap race on Sun 29-Dec.....




Sunday 15 December 2013

Moorfoot Festive Handicap, Innerleithen - Sunday 29 Dec, 10am

I am organising another Festive Handicap this year. First start at 10am on Sunday 29th Dec, starting near the Cuddy Bridge off Leithen Road here 


The start will be just by the Cuddy Bridge. There will be a choice of routes:
  • A 3miles / 5km suitable for juniors and those who simply fancy a shorter route (or those who had too much Christmas dinner!) - the proposed route is shown below.
 



















  • A longer route will be about 5 miles / 8km with a 300m climb, almost all in the first 2 miles (one of those surely it can't get steeper climb which then does!).

























A fair bit of both routes is on trails which are muddy and uneven in places - you will get wet feet! The other half is on forest track.

Please let me know if you are planning to attend so I can try to work out handicaps - Gregor I will need your help with handicapping for the juniors.

Hope to see you there, but be aware if serious winter conditions occur then we may have to cancel.

Mince pies and refreshments in our conservatory after but it isn't heated so bring a warm coat!

ho, ho, ho

Colin


Burnside, 52 Leithen Road
Innerleithen EH44 6HY

Melrose Christmas Pudding 8mile "Road" Race

Three Moorfoots raced at the inaugural Melrose Christmas Pudding Race today. The 8.1 mile course essentially is a loop of the Eildon hills on the roads but included a two sizeable sections on very muddy farm tracks so by the end the runners looked like they had done a cross country race with all the mud splatters. The route was very hilly with the steepest point coming at 2.5miles but with some very serious undulations throughout.

It was a pretty low key event with 50 runners and no medals but a Christmas pud for those who completed the race.

The race was won by Johnny Lawson of Portobello in 49.11. Mike McGovern led the Moorfoots home with 3rd place in 52.33, and Colin Williams in 5th in 53.08, with Alan MacDonald in 30th in his first race for a year.

Results are here: http://melroseroadraces.com/christmas-pudding-race-provisional-results/

Sunday 8 December 2013

Moorfoot Christmas Night Oot - Sat 14-Dec (The Bridge Inn Peebles)

Moorfoot Christmas Night Oot - Sat 14-Dec (The Bridge Inn Peebles)

Any time after 7:30pm...

Dress Code - casual - no lycra please !

Very informal - meet for a blether and a beer (or whatever your favourite tipple is...)

Bus time table for Peebles to Innerleithen 62/62A below...

http://firstborders.co.uk/peebles/galasat.php


Saturday 7 December 2013

East Golden Girls

Team gold for Moorfoot U13 girls at the East XC Champs today in Dundee with Mairi Wallace 6th, Beth Hobbs 7th and Anna McGorum 8th combining for a cumulative team total of 21 points, well clear of Central AC. Some good runs elsewhere too including 6th for Scout in the senior women. Full results awaited.

L to R: Beth, Anna, old bloke, Mairi



Moorfoot Vest Orders - ready for collection/payment

Ladies and Gentlemen

Yes at last they have arrived.  I have the stock at home and you can email me with details of how you want to pick up the vests.  Alternatively, you can send me a text on my mobile number below.  Each vest is £10, which has been subsidised by the club.  I will also make a visit to catch the start of the Junior training session on Tuesday 10th December, so if you would prefer to pick up then, please remember to bring your money.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Alan MacDonald
2 Edderston Ridge View
PEEBLES
EH45 9NB
07910 915445

Wednesday 4 December 2013

Sarah Out of Euro XC

If you were planning to tune in to watch Sarah McCormack running for Ireland on Sunday in the European Cross Country  Champs, don't! Unfortunately she has had to pull out due to a foot problem which flared up about 10 days ago. She has yet to get back running and you can't go into a championship race on the back of two weeks non-impact cross training. Very frustrating for her as she has put in a really good block of training and was no.2 in the Irish team aiming to defend their team title from 2012. Tough task now with Sarah being the second withdrawal the team has suffered.

Sunday 1 December 2013

Peebles XC Race Report

A very well marked and marshalled course! The warm conditions (relatively speaking) made for a pleasant race today. Due to reseeding of the pitch at Haylodge meant that there the re-routed first lap of the park may have been shorter but it was certainly sharper! The extra detour round the pond before you started the ascent of the Sware meant there was nowhere to take it easy in the 2013 edition.

Again some very good results from Moorfoot Runners on the senior course (I didn't arrive in time to see the Juniors in action).

The race was again won by ex Moorfott Mike Reid in 26.08. Darin Dougal was the first Moorfoot home in 5th in 27.42 (2nd M40) in a real tussle with 'big' Fergus from Gala, Lucas Cheskin was 1st Junior and 9th overall in 28.46, Mike McGovern 13th, 29.21 (4th M40), Colin Williams 14th, 29.30, Carol Moss maintain her excellent performances finishing 5th woman overall and 3rd F40 in 33.22, Ian Munro 12th M50 34.44 and Lucy Husband 17th F40 in 42.09.

Peebles BXC 2013

No snow this year, but the popular mix of riverside trail, mud, hills and good old fashioned XC racing.

Results now available on BXC blogger....

Thank you again to all the runners who supported the race - more than 250 between the junior and senior races - and to the helpers and marshals, both on the day and in the pre-race day preparation.

Another slick Moorfoot production - well done !

Moorfoots who ran in the race - send in your 'race report' and let us know the view from inside the race....

Thursday 28 November 2013

Borders XC - Peebles Leg 2013 Runner Information


Details above of Moorfoot Runners hosted Peebles BXC leg on Sunday 1-December 2013

A familiar course (some changes in the park due to ongoing drainage works) and the usual Peebles ingredients - plenty of mud, the 'heart-attack hill' at the 2.5 mile mark and plenty of cheery marshals dotted around the course - looking forward to welcoming everyone to the race....

Junior Course - slightly modified due to the drainage works  - 2 laps


Car parking - please consider parking in our plentiful town car parks and walking to the park - this may add 10 mins to your day but its a good warm up, and you are close to the cafes for your after race treat  - thanks you for your considerate parking !




Article on Scottish Hill Running Legend Colin Donnelly

Thanks to Coxy for pointing this one out...great wee article...

Interview Colin Donnelly, a Fell Running Great [UKHillwalking.com]

Sunday 24 November 2013

BXC Peebles Leg 2013 - Helpers Required

24/11 - one week to go - still a bit thin on the ground for on the day helpers....
Please can you email me (Kenny Club Secretary) on kg.davidsonATbtinternet.com if you can spare a couple of hours to help out.

The Borders XC series is now underway - well done to the Moorfoots who took part at Lauder, and looking forward to the next race at Gala.

The Peebles leg of the Borders XC Series 2013/14 is on  Sunday 1-December in Haylodge Park.

As the host club, we have a number of duties to perform in the running of the race:

  • course marking
  • marshalling
  • start/finish time keeping
  • tidy up
We need about twelve volunteers on the day for a couple of hours, from approximately 1100 through ~1300

Please can you email me (Kenny Club Secretary) on kg.davidsonATbtinternet.com if you can spare a couple of hours to help out.

If you are planning to run in the race as a Moorfoot member, it would be appreciated if you can provide a substitute helper to assist on the day.

Regards....

Kenny

PS - wrap up warm - the Moorfoot BXC race usually heralds the first snow of the winter !!!

Saturday 23 November 2013

BUPA Great Winter Run 2014

Entries now open for the BUPA Great Winter Run 2014, in Hollyrood Park Edinburgh on Saturday 11-January
More details here..

Tuesday 19 November 2013

Sunday 17 November 2013

Sarah books her selection for Euro Champs

Sarah hasn't been in Peebles much in the last couple of months what with a 3-week altitude training camp with Ireland at Font Romeu in France, a race in Ireland and then two weeks' PhD work at Lancaster Uni from where she travelled to Dublin again for the Irish Inter-Counties Champs today which doubled as their trials for the European XC Champs. Reigning European champ Fionnuala Britton won impressively but Sarah's clear second place guarantees her selection for the race on Sunday 8 December in Belgrade, Serbia where she hopes to help Ireland defend their team title from last year.

Borders XC Round 2 - Galashiels

More good weather and another good turnout at the second round at the Borders Cross Country series. Lots of juniors involved in the first race but I will leave it to Gregor to report on that.

The senior course race was won by ex-Moorfoot Mike Reid for Carnethy in 21.43, with 180 finishers in total. First Moorfoot home again was James Britton in 5th 23.07, closely followed by Darin Dougal (8th in 23.19, 2nd MV40) then Lucas Cheskin (23.35, 10th, 3rd MJ), Mike McGovern (24.28, 15, 5th MV40), Colin Williams (24.43, 18th), Ian Munro (28.04, 65th, 8th MV50),

Some excellent results from the women too with Carol Moss in 28.12 and 4th woman and 2nd FV40 and Sophie Collins 30.00 and 2nd FJ and Lucy Husband 35.23 14th FV40.


Sunday 10 November 2013

Moorfoot Club Place available for Virgin London Marathon 2014

Moorfoot Runners has applied for and been granted a club place for the 2014 Virgin London Marathon, scheduled for 13-April-2014

If any members are interested in taking up the club place, please contact kg.davidsonATbtinternet.com

In the event that we have multiple applications we will review with the commitee - priorty going to those who have not received the club place previously or have been unsuccessful with their offical VLM application earlier in the year - or ultimately a draw...

http://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/

http://moorfootrunners.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/well-done-moorfoot-virgin-london.html








Moorfoots at Tinto 2013

A strange wee light appeared on the car dashboard as I left Peebles - ice warning - and sure enough it was 3C...
Arrived in Symington for registation and just before Tinto disappeared into the sleety shower heading from the west, there was no doubt that there was snow on the summit. Winter is here....


After a few squally interludes and a short delay for some competitor recounting (those who failed the kit inspection withdrew, but had not surrendered their race numbers, so the number of starters had to be recounted....) the cloud cleared a bit and the race started.
Some snow higher up and the top was shrouded in cloud/misty stuff, but nothing too severe....

Moorfoot King of the Hill - Eddie Balfour 42:44
Moorfoot Bottom of the Heap - Kenny 43:41

Good also to catch up briefly with ex Moorfooter Julia Connor and an old pal Chas Steven from Calderglen Harriers.

Full results....

Kit inspection is now being taken very seriously (as it should be) at hill races, so be prepared.
Note especially the 'waterproof jacket with hood' requirement for many races....

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Juniors on track at Lasswade XC

The traditional courses might have been re-routed and the usual tough climb omitted due to the Borders Railway works, but nothing could derail the efforts of a very healthy Moorfoot contingent at the Lasswade Cross Country on Sunday, not even the club gazebo dramatically falling victim to the gusty winds.

With strong opposition from the likes of Giffnock North, Pitreavie, Edinburgh and Airdrie, a fantastic return of four team wins and two thirds was just reward for some tremendous efforts, helped significantly by an excellent team spirit and support.

The U-11 Girls set the tone in the first race of the day over 1 mile with Elena McGorum (6th), Eilidh Mooney (9th) and Megan Hobbs (15th) combining for 3rd place, only 1 point adrift of 2nd placed Airdrie Harriers. There was also a much improved run from Sally Davis who galloped home strongly for 19th of the 54 runners.

U-11 GIrls Eilidh, Sally, Megan and Elena
The U-11 Boys then stormed to a clear 10-point victory over Pitreavie with Corran Carrick-Anderson (2nd) up front all the way and only just losing out on individual victory in the sprint for the line. Ethan Elder closed in rapidly inside the final 200m to vie for 3rd going into the final turn only to take a tumble after a clash, but was immediately back on his feet and courageously only just failed to get up for a podium place. Completing the team was first-timer Murray Aiken who, as one of the youngest in the field, had a hugely encouraging run for 8th of 45.

Double victory followed in the two U-13 races over 2 miles. The girls matched the U-11 boys’ 10-point winning margin over Ayr Seaforth courtesy of Beth Hobbs, Mairi Wallace and Molly Falconer in 5th, 6th and 7th and the U-13 boys secured an even more clear cut victory by 14 points this time over host club Lasswade. Euan Hood led the team home with an individual podium place in 3rd, backed up by Craig Angus in 6th and the improving Finlay Collins in 8th.

U-13 victors Molly, Mairi and Beth
 Zaynah Aziz (6th), Fiona Grant (7th) and Ailsa Innes (23rd) also gained a team podium place in the 2-mile U-15 Girls race before the most exciting finish of the day in the U-17 Boys race over 3.8 miles. Moorfoot, Edinburgh and Pitreavie all finished on 18 points and after an anxious wait, the countback victory came the Moorfoot way courtesy of having the highest placed third runner home. (Note: the results on SAL show us 3rd but this is being changed.) Kobe Stevens (5th), Sam McNeil (6th) and Jack Stanners (7th) were the counters but there was also a fine run for 11th from Ben Hindley having his first outing in the red and blue.


Sophie Collins showed a return to form in the U20/U17 Women’s race over 3 miles with a solid 7th place then the U20 men rounded off an excellent Moorfoot day with first-year junior men Jacob Adkin (5th), John McLean (9th) and Lucas Cheskin (18th) mixing it well with the seniors to finish a close 4th over the 6-mile course, only 3 points shy of host club Lasswade and demonstrating great promise for the future.

Sunday 3 November 2013

Borders XC Round 1 - Lauder

A beautiful clear sunny day albeit very windy and muddy at Lauder today. The race was won by a Junior from Lauder Adam Craig (who also won the Earlston Black Hill race in July) in 26.41.
Some good Moorfoot results  - first Moorfoot home was James Britton in 7th, followed by Darin in 9th (2nd M40), Mike McGovern in 14th (4th M40) and Colin (me) in 21st, Carol Moss 64th, (6th Woman and 2nd F40) and Mike Pearson in 164th (8th M60).

In terms of the male team placing Carnethy were well clear with 4 finishers in the top 10, including ex Moorfoot Mike Reid in 4th. It was very close for 2nd between the Moorfoots and Gala for the men's team, but I think we are slighty ahead after Round 1. It could be an interesting series!
Results here: http://www.bordersxc.com/
Colin

Tuesday 29 October 2013

BXC - Host Club Late Entry..another way to enter the series

Further way to enter the BXC Series if you are a Moorfoot Runner Club senior member and have missed the formal online entry via Entry Central
Note that there will be NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY; Juniors can still enter online via Entry Central

Send following details to Moorfoot Runners Club Secretary (kg.davidsonATbtinternet.com) by email:

Name: FirstName Surname
Club: Moorfoot Runners
Sex: Male/Female
Age: Years
Category: Senior, MV40, MV50, MV60, FV40, FV50, FV60

Entry fee £13 should be sent by cheque (Cheques payable to 'Moorfoot Runners') in the post to:

Moorfoot Runners (BXC Entry)
52 Edderston Road
Peebles
EH45 9DT

These final late entries must be received by email by Friday 1-November in order to be eligible to run at the first event in Lauder on Sunday 3-November; your race numbers will be available to collect at the race on the day

(Cheques should be posted such that they arrive sometime the following week - these will be matched up against email late entries and sent off to the BXC organisers)

Again, please note that there will be NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY

The following Moorfoots have entered late by earlier non online processes and should get a cheque in the post as above as soon as possible please:

Jacob Adkin 432

Cameron Grant 429 (age/category needed)

Mike McGovern 428

Carol Moss 427

Ian Munro 426

 Please note that there will be NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY

Monday 28 October 2013

Moorfoots at Jedburgh Running Festival 2013

With the weather forecasters keeping a close eye on 'Hurricane Jude" as it tracked towards southern Britain, this was always going to be a windy one - well actually, from my memory, the Jedburgh event is always a windy one. So with no PBs threatening, it was case of getting on with it and toughing it out....

10K
Darin and Kenny
Good to see Darin back after some injury niggles and an extended layoff - not that it showed in a strong 36:51
Kenny 41:18 - disappointed initially to be above 40 mins, but ended up better placed than 2012 (24th) and paced it well, gaining one place and not being overtaken on the last 6K (into the wind !)

10K Results

Half Marathon
Paul Nichol
Paul in a rich vein of form this year, and another strong performance (1:33:37) in less than ideal conditions.

HM Results

Ultra
Walter 'Wattie' Barry
Results pending ....

Ultra Results

Other Peebles People
Lots of other Peebles people running

Scott Noble 10K 46:59
Fiona Watt HM 2:00:02
Alison Watts HM 2:00:06
Iona Minto HM 2:06:57
Neil Turner HM 1:51:50

Moorfoots at Run of the Mill Hill Race 2013

Run Of the Mill Race at Alva (14.5km, 850m)
 

First time I have done this race and would thoroughly recommend it for those who like a medium length,  fast and furious style hill race.

Starts in Alva with a series of steps out of the glen leading to a fast traverse on forest tracks towards Tillicoultry. Things then get a bit tougher with a steep and relentless climb up Andrew Gannel hill, followed by some great running on the Ochil tops over Ben Cleuch and Ben Ever. What then follows is one of the best descents I can remember on grassy slopes back into the Alva glen, a bit precarious coming down the wet steps with tried legs but a great finish.

Weather was wild and visibility was zero for most of the hill work.  Big turnout (180runners), I found the start pace too much but gradually worked my way back and finished 71st (1hr 34mins), Ex Moorfoot Mike Reid finished 3rd in 1hr 15mis.

 cheers

Eddie

Taking Orders for Moorfoot Club Vests

Former Moorfoot 'pin up boy' modeling the vest
Orders are being collected for Moorfoot running vests, the traditional red and blue diagonal harlequin design, with MOORFOOT in white lettering on the front.

These will be available in Childrens, Mens and Ladies sizes and will be £10 per vest
(this is a subsidized charge to Club Members)

Sizing is based on chest size, but please consider if you like it 'loose and baggy' or 'super streamlined'; do you usually wear it over another top, or do you run with bare flesh exposed; for children, will they grow out of a small size in a few months etc etc.

There are x15 sizes covering Children, Ladies and Men to choose from.....

There will be very little stock held, so if you do not order in this round, you may need to wait until a future order, the time or date of which will depend on demand (we have a minimum order size and we are a very small club !!!)

Please input your orders to the Doodle Poll below by Sunday 3-November, such that the order can be consolidated and placed with our supplier:

http://www.doodle.com/9tqxxwsh8igm9mdk

Money will be collected when vests are collected, following delivery from our supplier.

Please pass the word round to fellow Moorfoot runners, although you will be informed by email also through the week.

Note again that we need to capture all orders by Sunday 3-November - delivery from supplier expected late January 2014 - further updates in January once we get updates on our batch fulfillment.


Friday 25 October 2013

Adventure Racing Event - Innerleithen Sun 3-Nov (Haglof's Open5 Series)

Adventure Racing Event - Innerleithen Sun 3-Nov (Haglof's Open5 Series)

Trailquest type mountain bike/running adventure race at Innerleithen on Sunday 3-Nov - entries close 31-Oct so don't delay !!

Feel the Burns Hill Race

Back again for 2014 - it was a cracker last year - 13 miles in the snow and then hot soup and haggis back at the Selkirk Rugby Club pavillion afterwards.
Same format again...although the snow is not guaranteed !

Entry form (note pre-entry only) and full details at this link...