Thursday 31 August 2017

Borders Cross Country Winter Series - Dates for 2017 – 2018 Season :

The dates for this winter's Borders Cross Country Series have now been set:

5 November : Lauderdale Limpers (number collection)
26 November : Dunbar Running Club
10 December: Tweed Striders @ Berwick
14 January : Norham Running Club @ Paxton
4 February : Moorfoot Runners @ Peebles
18 February : Gala Harriers
4 March : Chirnside Chasers (presentation leg)

Online entry for the Borders XC Series is likely to go live on entrycentral.com around 1st October. If you wish to enter this very popular event I recommend you get ready to enter ASAP once it goes live as it fills in a day or so.
Price: £15 for all 7 races or as many as you want to do (absolute bargain)

To get a series placing the runner must have completed FOUR rounds.  If more than four rounds are completed, then the best four will count.  Final placings are found by adding your four best finishing positions within your category.

The Borders XC website with info from previous years is found here: http://bordersxc.blogspot.co.uk/ and will be updated in due course
Dunbar XC at Whitesands


Cademuir Orienteering Event - Sun 17th Sept

I have received an email from the Edinburgh Southern Orienteering Club promoting an event at Cademuir on Sunday 17th (the day after the Junior Hill International) -

Just wondering if any of your members would like to try orienteering?
There is an event at Peebles (Cademuir) on 17th Sept with courses for all ages and with varying navigational difficulty – see the link below
It’s better to enter online in advance if possible.

https://www.esoc.org.uk/events/cademuir-sep-17-2017

Cademuir - South of Scotland Orienteering League (SoSOL)
Directions
Parking and Assembly will be at Peebles High School, Springwood Road, Peebles EH45 9HB.  
There will be a £1.00 parking fee per car.

Registration & Start Times

REGISTRATION: 10.30 - 12noon
START TIMES: 11.00 - 13.00
COURSE CLOSURE: 15.00
Note that there is likely to be a walk to the start of 1k and the finish is likely to be fairly close to the start.

Course Information
Usual SoSOL courses - white, yellow, orange, light green, short green, green, blue and brown.  
Explanation of colour courses, Show

Entry Details
Advance entry via Fabian4 closes on Sunday 10th September 2017.   Entry on the day (EOD) will be subject to map availability and a surcharge of £2.00 Seniors/£1.00 Juniors added to the entry fees shown below.
Seniors £10.00; Juniors £5.00 - White, Yellow, Orange courses (only)  Seniors £4.00

Monday 28 August 2017

Glencoe Ultra


As with many last minute decisions, planning tends to go awry or something small, but important, gets overlooked. In my case, a simple midge head net (and possibly some lack of preparation - logistically and physically) led to a rather painful first attempt at an 'ultra'

Thursday night, half an hour before cut off, I decided to take part in the Glencoe Ultra. Seemed easy enough....44.42 miles/71 km with 7372 feet/2247 m of climb.









I drove up on the Friday night - hoping for a camping space. Arriving around 8.00, I was told that all pitches (tiny camping area) were taken and all cabins were booked out. Rough camping was offered (with use of facilities) so rough camping it was...and it was...

Amid the clouds of chomping midges, I manage to pitch my tent. Minus a midge net, I was being eaten by the hordes - so cooking outdoors was NOT on the cards. I then headed in to the cafe for some serious carb loading. 'We only have cakes', I was informed - bummer! Not going well so far!

I have some cake. I head for my tent. I am feasted on again (thousands dine on me - and I get rice-krispie cake!)

It soon becomes apparent that the burn to my left is too loud for me to sleep. I up my tent - ingesting midge vapour - and head for the back seat of the car. I have several hundred guests.

Start - Checkpoint 1 (approx 5 miles) 

Having had a good 3 hours sleep, it's time to register (6.30 am onwards)  and have breakfast. This is minimal - in calorific terms, equivalent to a muffin and a coffee. This could be a long day! I pour a litre of coconut water into my running bladder and am soon heading, with 27 other, along the West Highland Way for the first checkpoint ( approx 5 miles) at Altnafeadh. The food at the checkpoints is disappointing. Skinny biscuits, undernourished Jelly Babies  (not the proper dusty Bassett ones) - not a banana, cake or giant pretzel in sight.



Top of Coire Na Tulaich - All pain from here on!
Checkpoint 1 - Checkpoint 2 (approx 7 miles) 

The route follows the path , on the bottom right of pic below , that leads up through Coire Na Tulaich, skirting Stob Na Doire and then a takes a steep drop down through Coire Altruim to the valley floor.


Coire (curved hollow) Na Tulaich to the right of centre
Drop into the valley is off the far hill - right of centre

The route marking at the turn is non-existent and a group of 6 runners manage to figure which route should be taken.

The ascent to around 900 m is hard work (and I feel that I have used up my carb reserve already and my stomach takes on a queasy tone) The descent is tricky and by the valley floor, I have adopted a conservative jog.

There is some uphill to be covered but a fantastic - though very treacherous - run down through Lairig Gartain to Dalness. I run some of the way with Jeff and Drew and we manage to get to checkpoint 2 without face-planting the hillside.


Dropping down to Dalness with Loch Etive in the distance.

Checkpoint 2 - Checkpoint 3. (approx 4 miles)

The other lads head on, as I change my shoes. There are around 4 miles of road to cover before the CP 3. I run the downs and flats and walk the uphills. I meet Martyn from Holland who is having similar stomach issues - we speculate that it is the murky, peaty water on offer at the checkpoints - all straight off the hill from the Glencoe Ski Centre. We run to CP 3 and Martyn decides to sit and think of his next move.

Checkpoint 3 - Checkpoint 4 (15 miles)

This is a 15 mile run (though many found it impossible) along the eastern shore of Loch Etive.The initial 8 miles were utterly dreadful (polite description) - possibly the worst terrain I have ever encountered! Almost nothing runnable - a sodden. boggy, peaty. puddle-strewn track that frequently (over 40 times) involved a water crossing. When you weren't worrying about trench-foot, you were hacking your way through head-height bracken forests with NO clues as to where to enter or exit. In the 8 miles I came across a single red and white tape marker and one sign at the very end of the stretch.
This was an incredibly difficult section both physically and mentally. 

Once the hellish mush was past, the road from Armaddy through Glen Kinglass was firmer - but checkpoint 4 was still a long way away. For 14 miles, I saw no one. I didn't realise at that point that there were 10 of the 27 runners behind me - with 16 in front. Lesley from Carnegie Harriers came up behind me and her two-word comment on the race lifted my spirits. I picked up my pace - though not enough to stay with her. I am hungry and feel like I am fading. I contemplate giving up at CP 4 but I realise that I would have to wait on all runners coming through (no idea how many at this point) before I could get a lift back to the ski centre. 

Checkpoint 4 - Checkpoint 5 (approx 7 miles)

I chat to the marshal, grab some biscuits and lordy...a banana - a lifesaver - some proper carbs.

I am off again and my feet are really complaining as is my stomach. I eat the banana in small sections as I walk. It's only 14 miles I tell myself - It's like walking 'Feel the Burns' - I imagine it in my head and plod on counting off what I think are mile markers. Strange how exhaustion clouds your judgment of distance.

It's now a brutal slog past Loch Dochard and I am dreaming of a cold drink - the stuff in my run bladder is unpalatable - I contemplate dropping into one of the streams - hoping I could absorb the fluid. This section is where my spirits were lowest. A mile before CP 5 (Forest Lodge) , I was deluded enough to think I could go on. Imagine my relief, when the marshal at CP 5 said I had missed the cut off. 38 miles and 12 hours I hope not to repeat!

Jeff and Drew made it back - with their own challenges en route. Martyn retired at CP 3.

Minor consolation that I was the first of the two 'non-finishers' who made it to CP 5. Eight other runners retired before CP5.

I pick up my expensive participant's T-Shirt and am off on the 3-hour drive home.

Good news...Cheese and wine for supper!

(I need it...Bathroom scales say I weigh in 4-5 lbs lighter than when I left - not a dieting method I would recommend!)

Matt Williamson made it round in a superb 8h 50mins - he was 1h 45mins in front of the second runner!

8 of the 17 finishers took over 12 hours to complete...brutal stuff!

Results here

Hawick 10km report

On Sunday Colin Williams and Darin Dougal took part in the Hawick 10km organised by Teviotdale Harriers. The 10km course is two laps of the 5km - it's advertised as a course with PB potential and is along flat paths either side of the river Teviot, except one cheeky short sharp climb which I'm sure gets steeper on the second time. The race attracted a decent field and was won in the super fast time of 31:40 by Ian Harding of Morpeth Harriers. Colin was first Moorfoot in 37:23, in 9th place (3rd MV40) with Darin 13th close behind in 38:08 (1st MV45). Full results here: http://teviotdaleharriers.org.uk/?p=4194. Other locals also racing were Roger Crippin from Peebles, who recorded a very credible time of 42:20 and Brenda Dougal of Innerleithen running well to finish in 56:49.

There was also a 2 mile fun run with some budding future Moorfoots in action but most notable was the 8 year Kate McKean who won the prize for 1st girl and 4th overall and beat many much older.

A very well organised and friendly event with selection of cakes and bakes available afterwards that I whole heartedly recommend - many thanks to Teviotdale Harriers for such a good event. It is also next the new £3.5m renovated playpark and coincided with the show of massed silver and brass bands from all over the Borders so what else could you ask for!

Lucy at the Glencoe trail half marathon

Lucy Colquhoun, along with her dog Otto, took part in the Glencoe Trail 'Half Marathon' on Saturday part of the inaugural Glencoe Trail Running Challenge that included a 10km, half, marathon and ultra. It is a testing course  - 24.4 KM / 15.16 Miles - Elevation Gained 620 Metres / 2034 Feet. The website says
"This is a great half marathon route on the West Highland Way and sections of the Old Military Road."



Lucy was 1st F40 - 9th overall (186 starters) in a time of 2:35:06. Many congratulations on a fabulous result. Full results

Lucy comments:
"Otto's first ever race today at the Glencoe half marathon and he came first! (I only came second). Muddy, tough course but good fun. Sausages and beer are being enjoyed as our respective rewards."

The event was won by Kris Jones in 1hr 49mins with second place was almost half an hour behind! I recognise the name as he usually runs on the road and the track, and is the Scottish 10,000m and 5km champion & 2nd behind Callum Hawkins at National Cross Country!


 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday 27 August 2017

Brave 4th for Charlotte at U17 Champs

Charlotte Clare returned to form with a two-second personal best in the 800m at the U17 Scottish Champs today at Grangemouth finishing just outside the medals in 4th in a time of 2.17.44. Three rounds of 800m in two days was a first for all the young athletes, but Charlotte belied the fact that she is a young first-year U17 and qualified like a veteran from her heat and semi-final on the Saturday to give herself every opportunity of a good run in the final. Seventh ranked going into the event she had her usual sensible steady start in Sunday’s final, not getting dragged into the enthusiastic fast early pace. She went through the bell in last place and ten metres off the leaders but was bang on schedule for her own PB pace. Into the back straight she had moved through to fourth and set her sights on the front three. But as Charlotte pushed the pace so had the leaders and off the final bend the gap to the medal positions was still a good five metres. However the leaders were starting to suffer from their early pace and Charlotte’s determined strong finish saw her finishing fastest of all and closing the gap to the medals all the way to the line. But the third placed runner managed to muster a final effort to hold on, denying Charlotte a medal but being rewarded with her two-second PB.


Great effort CC the train!

Monday 21 August 2017

Abbotsford House Trail Race summary from Sunday

Gala Harriers organised a new trail race at Abbotsford House near Melrose on Sunday. 5 miles for seniors and 2 miles for juniors. There was a strong showing by lots of juniors (results here http://galaharriers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Gala-Harriers-Abbotsford-House-Junior-Trail-Race-Results-20th-August-17.pdf) and seniors with Ruth McKean 1st F40, a few seconds off 1st Female, with Darin Dougal 2nd M40, 5th overall and close behind Mike McGovern 3rd M40, 6th overall - senior results http://galaharriers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Abbotsford-Senior-Trail-Race-full-results-2017.pdf
Photos from Abbotsford House Trail Races here courtesy of Neil Renton:
https://www.facebook.com/neil.renton.18/media_set?set=a.1648198511858357.1073741927.100000046728872&type=3&pnref=story


Sierre Zinal Race - Pete Hall reports as he tackles the classic Swiss Alpine race

Race – Sierre Zinal, La course des Cinq 4000, Switzerland - http://www.sierre-zinal.com/
Length – 31km, 2200m climbing, 1100 decent
So it all started with a book for Christmas from my good wife Jill, as these things often do.  ‘Beyond Running’ by Ian Corless - a book you must check out if you haven’t already done so – and start planning the next few years holidays – ‘One a year from the book’ as someone recently said to me.
Honestly, the Sierre Zinal was chosen as not only did it look great but is one of the shortest in the book, so I was being sensible…ish
The 44th edition of the race took place on Sunday 13th August so the Hall family headed off for a weekend in the land of the Toblerone, Alpline Horns and cow bells.  We stayed in the finish village of Zinal for a few days along with several dozens of other runners from all around the world – Mexico, Eritrea, USA, …. You name it, they were all there, including a lot from all around the UK, even as far afield as Lochaber and Sheffield !
The undoubted favourite for this years race was Kilian Jornet of Spain in the mens, going for a record 5th win, and Lucy Wambui from Kenya in the ladies, looking to repeat last years victory.  Also running was last years mens winner Petro Mamu from Eritrea and Rob Simpson from the UK, plus Michelle Maier (Germany) in the ladys race.
1277 runners started in Sierre at an altitude of around 650m at the foot of the valley, the course being a climb for 24km to an altitude of 2425m followed by the descent into Zinal, with a finish altitude of 1650m.  The days weather turned out to be good for running, with sun and mid twenties temperatures, this coming after a couple of days snow and rain.

So the race, well, what a cracker ! Never having run a half marathon uphill followed by an 7km sprint, I was really looking forward to it. Add to this some stunning scenery, some great company, great feeding stations, what was there not to enjoy? The initial 1km was a blast up the main Sierre ZInal road, rather like starting a race by running half-way up Newlands Pass, before a hard left up somewhat of a ‘rude’ hill onto the trail proper. The first 5km saw us climb over 1000m (that’s three miles and 3000 feet), so in my head, similar to the Ben Nevis race, with the gradient then easing out until the 24 Km point. So far, so good – I was enjoying the running, the chat with other runners either in English, broken French or broken Dutch. We were entertained by bands in the woods – surreal – by spectators and by the scenery as we came out of the tree line. Feed stations were well stocked and organised as we all took advantage of them.  
Initial Part of the Trail
My pace and enjoyment remained pretty good until roughly the 10km/6500ft altitude mark, at which point I was beginning to wonder if I had eaten something I shouldn’t have. However, cracking on at a slightly reduced pace due to the lack of oxygen (17% less oxygen at 6000ft), the ground and the stunning views of the 5 4000m peaks, including the Matterhorn, were soaked up.
…and the wheels came off my wagon at the 16km mark  (2,180m/7,150ft)
Out of the trees, the views opened up
It was like running into a wall – a complete bonk, and everything that was in my stomach was no longer in my stomach – you get the drift here. The altitude had got to me, no doubt about that.


Told you there were alpen horns !
Pushing on again and trying to drink and eat, things improved for the next couple of miles, but the effects of dehydration, lack of food and altitude started to tell.
The remainder of the climb was a tough one with me falling away from somewhere near middle of the field to the last third of the field. Feed stations were well used and upon reaching the final ‘major’ part of the climb to the Hotel Weisshorn, I was a happy man. Now 7km of rough, rocky, grassy descent.
On any normal day this would have been perfect for someone used to running in The Lakes or Scotland, and would have been covered in 20-30-40 mins, but the legs were ‘a little heavy’ hence it was a gentle run or a ‘barely controlled fall’ down to the finish in Zinal.
By the time I got the to finish, my wife Jill was a little worried as she was monitoring my progress using Strava Becon (note to self – don’t use that again  ) and saw my early good progress drop off. I was never so happy to see the finish line in a race though – I clocked 5:04:29 against a prediction of 4:15 or so, hence was a little disappointed, with a position 936 (94th Over 50).
Up front, Kilian Jouret took the race win in 2:33:05, with Robbie Simpson 14 seconds behind him.
Kilian Jornet approaching the finish
Lucy Wambui took the ladies title in 2:58:39.
Lucy Wambui in the final 400m
 
 
They are, without doubt, the worlds best mountain/trail runners at the moment, and it was a real privilege to be in the same race as them – just a shame I couldn’t have given Kilian a bit more of a race for his money 
….. and me, some way behind, wishing I was like Kilian Jouret but really just wanting a cold beer
Pete in his Cumbria Fell Runner vest which he is also a member of.
And after several rehydrating beers and a crack with the other runners in town, all was good with the world again…
So Jill….next year….where we going ???

Brilliant Bronze for Patrick on a weekend of mixed fortunes

Patrick Cannon performed well above his ranking to take an excellent bronze medal in the U13 Boys 800m at the Scottish Championships at Scotstoun on Saturday. 

Having only raced twice this summer due to injury and illness, there was certainly scope for Patrick to improve on his pre-race ranking of twelfth. With U13 athletes not permitted to race more than one 800m in one day, this meant seeded heats being drawn and the final placings and medals being awarded based on times across all four “timed finals”. Patrick’s pre-race ranking saw him drawn in the B race, however he gave himself the best possible chance of a high placing by ensuring a decent pace and storming down the home straight to win his heat in a time of 2.28.19. That was a one-second PB on a very windy day when the norm proved to be around six seconds slower than their best. The front two finishers in the following A heat were clearly quicker, but anxious looks at the stadium clock and  approximate hand-times as the third runner crossed the line meant Patrick was in the mix to be third fastest overall. After what seemed an age, the announcement came requesting Patrick’s presence for the medal ceremony and a well deserved bronze medal.



James Clare was drawn in the C race and took it on at a good consistent pace, eventually finishing second in 2.37.20. Esme Minto ran in Girls' C race but found the strong wind really tough down the back. However she picked up again to finish strongly for 2.54.39.

On the Sunday, much improved conditions were more conducive to good times and after taking silver in the Scottish Schools U15 Boys 1500m in June after a hampered preparation, a fully fit Ethan Elder was a strong medal contender. He qualified very comfortably for the final, doing no more than necessary for the fourth automatic qualifying spot but come the final he was just not himself, dropping off a pace he would normally be comfortable with and finishing 13th of fourteen. Having last Sunday run a 2.07 800m off a too-fast first lap of 59/60 seconds, he had shown he was on good form and coach, athlete and dad were all equally bamboozled by his flat run. Maybe he'd have been better doing the 800m which was won in 2.08 off a 63 second first lap. Back to the drawing board.

Charlotte Morrison ran in the U15G 1500m but got dragged into racing too fast early on, her first lap being a full five seconds ahead of PB pace, and she subsequently tired.

Moorfoot trained Ailsa Innes, running in the Lasswade vest, ran well to qualify as the fastest loser for the U20 Women’s 800m in 2.19.16 but a back problem caused her to withdraw from the final.

So a weekend of mixed fortunes, but lifted by Patrick's brilliant bronze.



Wednesday 16 August 2017

Junior Awards for 16-17


The annual junior awards were announced at the club BBQ on Sunday and celebrated again at training on Tuesday evening when those recipients who missed the BBQ got their much-prized Moorfoot Runners Award Winners sports bottle.

There are four categories of award for girls and boys looking back on the 2016-17 winter season and the summer season thus far. After careful deliberation the winners were:

Most Promising Newcomer (recognising promise in both training and competition) - Jess Colledge and Thomas Hilton
Best Trainer (recognising good listening, learning, attendance and effort at training) - Ailsa Innes and Danny Lancaster
Most Improved Performer (recognising training improvement as well as competition) - Charlotte Morrison and Patrick Cannon

Best Performance (best single performance, not overall performer) - Ailsa Innes (SSAA Champs Group A 800m 4th missing bronze by the narrowest of margins and running a 2 second PB) and Ethan Elder (SSAA Champs Group C 1500m silver, bouncing back from illness and injury.)

Well done all.

Tuesday 15 August 2017

Cademuir Rollercoaster 'on the ropes'

Alan Elder's report:

I ran the diluted version of the 'now with added lumps' rollercoaster last year  - but this year -  the rolliness of the coaster has been amplified with the painful initial climb up along Cademuir Plantation. This certainly took a few bites out of my calves. 

At the top of the first climb, there is a good run off from the Red Well Spring, down around the Whaum to the midpoint of the hellish hill. Ascending the slope to the hill fort, time one and time two - in full grunting-knee-pumping mode, I become aware of a major downfall with a local race. When you know the marshals - there is nowhere to hide - Iona M at the bottom and Brian H at the top - stopping would be a scoffable offence.

This 'inconvenience' takes its toll by lap two and the level of huffing is significant. I manage to draw back some air for the Cademuir step and even manage to pass a runner on the last climb.

A few sharp intakes of breath and I am reeling down the final slope before the traverse and final dash to the line. It has been a busy week - so though a little slower than I would have hoped - not unexpected!

Looking forward to the next one!

Cademuir Rollercoaster - "inside the ropes"


Kenny's report -
The new 8km course  was always going to be a 'toughie', and it only got tougher once I found out about the correct outward routing (doh!) on the Friday night.

Plan was therefore to start 'sensibly' on the first long climb - easier said than done - keep it 'very sensible' on the two ascents of Cademuir Hill at the far end of the course - and then see what was left for the final ascent of the 'Cademuir Step' on the way back before the long fast descent to the finish line....

The start saw two distinct packs form before the first gate - U20 and Vet+. A bit of reshuffling up the first climb and along the top section, but I was down to basically a Carnethy on my tail and a Gala Harrier as a target man.
The two ascents of Cademuir (Gregor's Half Hell Rep) were brutal, the descents also tough when you are racing - you don't really get a full recovery. No changes of position from earlier at this point...

Up the final climb (the Cademuir Step) and Gala Harrier was still reachable, and Carnethy was out of ear shot behind. Made my move on the final contouring section and got past Gala Harrier and finished strongly...

Strava stuff here....

Perversely, actually enjoyed this version of the course better than I expected....one of my better race plan executions too (there are not many of them !)
Well done to all Moorfoots who managed, supported and ran on the day....a great wee event !


Monday 14 August 2017

Rollercoaster Report

The 8K "Women's" prize-giving!
A total of sixty-nine runners finished the three races which incorporated the Scotland Trial races for hill running’s Junior Home International, with the first two finishers in each age category being certain of being offered selection for Scotland. The International will be held on the same courses on Saturday 16 September with two additional athletes selected to make up each Scotland team of four for U17 Women, U17 Men, U20 Women and U20 Men.

Race 1 was over 3.8km with a climb of 176m and incorporated the U17W Scotland trial race. Seventh overall and first home in that age-group was regular Scotland internationalist Lynn McKenna (Giffnock North) in a time of 18.10. But hats off to Scottish U13 Cross-Country Champion, now first-year U15, Anna Hedley (Fife AC) who stunned everyone by romping home to be first female in 16.54. Anna put the cat amongst the pigeons for the selectors by finishing third overall in the race, just twelve seconds off the winner and was only narrowly beaten home by two U15 boys. James Connelly (Garscube) gained two places on the final descent, including passing Anna, to take the win in 16.42, and Ben Cameron, who had made the long journey south from Forres, was second in 16.46. Our own Beth Hobbs had a strong run to finish twelfth overall and fifth in the U17 trial race in 20.00, a few seconds ahead of Scotland internationalist Zoe Nicholson (no relation). With one of the U17W who finished ahead of Beth twisting an ankle on the home run, Beth will have at least put herself in the minds of the selectors. In any case, she has another year in that age-group. Eilidh Mooney won her own "race within the race" to finish 16th overall and fifth U15G.

Race 2 was over 5.8k/321m race and incorporated both the U20W and U17M Scotland trial races. First overall and U17M trial winner was Robert Sparks (Fife AC) in 27.58. Elliot Duff (Garscube) took second in 28.18 with Yousuf Khursheed (Gala) third in 28.54. Next to finish in this race in fourth overall in 29.24 was the U20W trial winner Lauren Dickson (Lasswade) in what was just her second ever hill race. You couldn’t get any more local than veteran Sue Ridley (EAC) - well not until that McKean woman gets herself entered - "next year", so she promised. Sue was racing just over her back wall, and she showed she is still in good form by finishing eighth overall, second female and first female veteran in 32.19.  Moorfoot and Scotland Internationalist Mairi Wallace made a late call to race having only just returned to full training after injury and finished in good shape in twelfth overall and third U20 in 35.33. With a couple of the top U20W missing the trial it remains to be seen whether Mairi might sneak selection for the JHI. She has another two years in the U20 age-group.

The final race of the day incorporated the U20M trial and took in the steep climb to the Cademuir summit twice for 8k/433m. This, as well as the start-line explanation that this year's route went straight on over the first hill, elicited a few groans at the start. This start line explanation was also to make sure that Kenny Davidson knew where he was going, having not done his homework on the change of route before leading others astray on his pre-race recce! 

Gavin Bryson (EAC) showed a return to form to run out a convincing winner in 36.07 and seal his Scotland selection. Clubmate Freddie Carcas chased him home for the other guaranteed international selection in 37.09. Fourth overall and third home in the U20M category was Faisal Khursheed (Gala) in 39.23. He was preceded by the evergreen fifty-something and Hawick resident Colin Donnelly (Cambuslang). Unusually, this race turned out to be an all male affair so with the Race 2 female winner being under-age, the women’s 8k prize of a Franco’s meal voucher and bottle of top-notch prosecco was gratefully received by "Mrs" Donnelly.

Kenny found his way round to come home 12th overall and third vet in 44.45 with Alan Elder 22nd and 12th vet in 53.52. (Both invited to blog from the runner's point of view.)

The final word goes to the final finisher in the 8k, Frank Birch from Teviotdale Harriers who was applauded home in 71.18, a shade less than double the winner’s time. “Thanks for such a brilliant race. It was a comprehensively organised, marshalled and signposted event. It was tough going on occasions, but I enjoyed the challenge!”


Under-age Lauren, so no prosecco sorry




Cademuir Rollercoaster Results and Photos

Report to follow but here's the info from this years Cademuir Rollercoaster

Race 1 - 3.8km results and photos https://www.flickr.com/photos/16140176@N03/sets/72157687547892755

Race 2 - 5.8km results and photos
https://www.flickr.com/photos/16140176@N03/sets/72157685032091203

Race 3 - 8km results and photos
https://www.flickr.com/photos/16140176@N03/sets/72157685032340233

More photos from Keith Renton on Facebook here

A selection of photos of Moorfoots in action








Friday 11 August 2017

Caerketton Hill Race 2017


If a weekend race isn't enough and you are looking to give your legs a sound midweek thrashing - I would recommend looking out for a Wednesday night race (should you decide to take leave of your common sense!).

Caerketton is on my way home from work so I thought I would join in. Probably not the best idea after running Philiphaugh on Sunday - a 6 mile 'recovery run' around Cademuir on Monday and a Tuesday night beasting (courtesy of Colin and Ruth) at training.

But hey..it was only 3 quid to enter!

As I arrive , the junior race is just coming to an end and I spot some junior Moorfoot vests speeding down the final stretch to the finish line.

Angus Carlyle dashes down in a fantastic 2nd place - soon followed by brother, Cameron in a very creditable 5th and  Danny Lancaster puts in a great effort for 8th. Good show from the juniors - 3 in the top 10!

The adult race is soon underway and it feels like a vertical kilometer to reach the top - in fact it probably is?  It's a hot night and a tough climb to get around the second cairn. 

The middle section on the way up (courtesy Carnethy dot com)


My legs are suffering from the past three day's activity but once around the top cairn, I know it is all down hill. Time to enjoy....

From rounding the cairn, I managed to make up 12 places before the finish line. Some Moorfoot support from the Carlyle's on the final corner probably accounted for half of the places!

I had an outside time of 28 minutes in mind - so not too disappointed with 27.20.

A new record of 17.51 was set by Jonathan Crickmore of Dark Peak and Charlotte Morgan of Carnethy set a new female record of 20.23 - beating her previous by 28 seconds.

108 entered - the highest number in the last 12 years!


Results Here

Philiphaugh & Caerketton reports

Philiphaugh Hill Races were held on Sunday 6 August consisting of a 4mile and 7 mile race.
71 ran on the 4 mile course. Esme Minto was first female (and first Junior Female), with a great 4th position overall in 32.41. Well done. Results here

The 7 mile race was won by Colin Donnelly (Cambuslang) in 48:17 with the following Moorfoots:
Darin Dougal 5th, 1st M40 49:55
Mike McGovern 6th and 2nd M40 51:56
Alan Elder 35th and 7th M50 1:03:13
Full results http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceResults.aspx?RaceID=RA-0272&Year=2017

You cannot be serious!! the ball was out
The races helped the organisers raise £1113.65 for the Selkirk play park project

Caerketton
Alan Elder and Dave Gaffney completed Caerketton Hill Race on a spectacular Wednesday evening. Results here
 

Some very scenic pics from the top thanks to Steven Fallon https://www.flickr.com/photos/32508164@N07/sets/72157687400422385


Sunday 6 August 2017

FINAL CALL - SUMMER BBQ

A reminder for all those just back from Summer Holiday that the MOORFOOT RUNNERS SUMMER BBQ is this SUNDAY 13th AUGUST.
I need to confirm numbers to the PEEL CAFÉ by Wed evening so could everyone who wishes to attend please sign up to the doodle poll link below ASAP:-


Gregor will be presenting prizes for the Junior Club members – and has assured me that we should have all formal parts of the social event over well before 7pm so everyone interested in the Athletics won’t miss anything. Laura Muir is apparently not on until 7:30pm ish.

We have booked the covered seating area at the end of the Peel Café from 5pm on SUN 13th AUG.  (aiming to start from 5:30pm onwards)
We would encourage everyone to attend and bring along family – it is a great venue, a good chance to catch up with other club members and great value!!

The Peel Café will provide the catering which will include a BBQ  & drink within the price. The club will be subsidising the event to try and encourage as many members (and family) to attend.

Adults - £5 per head , Children - £2 per head. This subsidised price is available to all Club members and immediate family. GREAT VALUE!!

If there are any special dietary requirements then please email me (e.balfour@jamesjones.co.uk) and I can try and make arrangements at the Peel.

Hope to see you there!

Eddie Balfour

Club Treasurer