Rollercoaster Report and Results

Fair weather and pleasantly warm temperatures were enjoyed at today's Rollercoaster, but the running was hotter.

The 3k race saw a field of 18 line up including two intrepid Linlithgow vets who had decided to take on both the 3k and the 6k just thirty minutes apart with a 15-minute recovery. Thoughts that they had entered the 3k in the hope of improving their chances of securing the Franco's vouchers and top-notch prosecco on offer to the winners were soon dispelled. Firstly the prosecco was only on offer for the 6k. Secondly, after 100m after the first wee dig uphill, they were towards the back of the field as the U15 and U13 runners sped out of sight!

First home and smashing our own Ethan Elder's record from 2015 by close to a minute, was 2018 Scottish Cross-Country champion Angus Wright of Team East Lothian. Angus was home in 12 mins 06 secs. The conditions, both climatic and ground, were certainly conducive to good times and indeed the first four boys home were all sub-12 and inside Ethan's mark of 13.00.

Angus seems a bit wary of the old geezer presenting his prizes

Fifth home overall and also smashing Nuala MacCheyne's girls' course record by a healthy margin was Fife AC's Isla Hedley in a time of 13.48. Isla was following in the footsteps of big sis Anna who won the 2017 race. Another trip to Franco's beckons for the Hedley family with their Franco's vouchers.

Isla wins the "best shades" prize hands down

Moorfoot finishers were Shaun Pyman, 11th in 14.53, Cammie Carlyle, 14th in 15.56, and Rory Learmond, 16th in 16.13.

The 6k saw a record 52 runners on the start line and HBT's Scott Fraser proved to be quickest home, crossing the line in 26.16. That was just outside the course record of 26.00, but 35 seconds clear of 2nd placed Jack Trainer from Garscube, a Scotland U18 hill running internationalist.

Scott was delighted with his Moorfoot Awards Winners drinks bottle - and the other  bottle.

And another U18 internationalist was first female home, Rhona Mowat of Giffnock North crossing the line in 32.13. Rhona was too young to receive her top-notch prosecco from race sponsor Franco but you can tell from the smile on her mum's face that she was really really pleased to accept it instead.

"I'll take that for you Rhona thank you very much"

Of the Moorfoot boys running Ben Balfour, in his first ever hill race, had a storming run for 6th and 1st U20 in 28.42, David Gaffney just missed the 30-minute barrier by two seconds in finishing 10th, Craig Walling (does he count given his HBT entry?) was 15th in 31.15, and Kenny D was 16th (6th vet) in 31.31. In the female category Amy Alcorn was fifth in 35.32, Beth Hobbs 8th in 37.37, and Katie Walling 10th in 39.41 (even if she too entered as HBT. She also got Craig to wear her number but sharp eyed GN picked this up in the results. Nice try Katie!).

Big TA to everyone who helped - in advance and on the day. And special thanks to Ben McKean for helping to finish off all the leftover jelly babies!

FULL RESULTS are on the Moorfoot Facebook page here