Moorfoot Festive Handicap, Innerleithen - Sunday 20th Dec, 9.30am

The 2nd in the winter club runs series will be at Innerleithen on Sunday 20 December, starts from 9.30am. Again the aim is a bit of fun and to make some space for Christmas indulgence!

Start will be about 300m up the forest track from the Innerleithen Golf Course, which is about 1 mile north of the town on Leithen Road / the B709, postcode EH44 6HZ

This start location is a change to the festive handicaps organised by me (Colin) in other years as I’ve tried to avoid the some of the busier and narrower paths next to the town, however the senior handicap route will be very similar route.

The Innerleithen Golf Club has very kindly agreed to allow us to use part its carpark as shown at the link  https://goo.gl/maps/5BVHrwQuVYkS2T9Z7 The exact number of cars that can park there will be confirmed as it depends on use by the club, but going by the popularity of the Cardrona event we will easily exceed the number of spaces that we can use in the carpark. Therefore use of the golf club car park is initially reserved for those bringing Juniors, and those who have young family in tow.

If driving Seniors are expected park away and use the last bit as a warm up on foot. There is space for about 8 cars at the cauld (weir) about 500m south of the golf club although this is often well used by MTBers, and there is space for about 10 cars in the layby in an old quarry about 1km north of the golf club about 200m passed the cattle grid and round the bend, as well as other places in the town.

Of course the Tweed valley bike path is an excellent link for those cycling and minimising their carbon footprint!

The great news is that the ‘Sweet spot’ café in Golf Club house, which is a run by Moorfoot Debby Strain, will be open and serving. Hot drinks and breakfast roles will be on sale from 9.00am. The Moorfoot club has arranged to cover the cost of runners basic refreshments afterwards, a tray bake each and juice for juniors and tea/coffee for seniors. Of course there is more available but you will need to cover the cost if you want more. If you have the scroll through this feed there are some pretty tempting cakes! https://www.facebook.com/171022216254822/posts/due-to-popular-demand-the-sweet-spot-cafe-at-innerleithen-golf-club-will-now-be-/3627320333958309/ Toilets are also available in the club house.   If using the golf clubhouse, whether for toilets or refreshments, you will need a mask and one from each family group will also need to sign in the track and trace register in the foyer. Usual COVID protocols for a cafe apply. There are some outdoor seats too.

Please let me know if you are thinking of attending colin.m.williams@talk21.com. Also I could do with a marshal or two if you are not up for a run, but can get by without as I will mark the route.

Be aware if serious winter conditions occur then we may have to cancel but I will communicate that via email/facebook although the long range forecast suggests it will be OK.

Report from last year can be found here: https://moorfootrunners.blogspot.com/2019/12/innerleithen-festive-handicap-report.html

Event details

Please also be aware of current COVID restrictions https://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/clubs/club-support/coronavirus/ 'Bubbles' will be formed for those while doing the run but please adhere to COVID-19 restrictions and follow social distance guidance before and after.

Senior Handicap Run

The handicap is runners aged 16 +

Over half the course is on the hard forest tracks, but there are sections of soft, muddy and uneven paths so shoes with proper grip are essential. Be prepared for getting wet feet.

The course is 4.5 mile / 7.3km with 1000ft / 300m climb, almost all in the first 2 miles (one of those ‘surely it can't get steeper’ climbs which then does!) shown here: https://www.strava.com/activities/4424773132

The course will be marked with tape and/or arrowed.

The first runner will be off on or around 9:30am, and last off before 10am depending on the handicapping, which will be based on runners current 10km ‘race pace’. I will use the results from the Cardrona event to set the handicaps for those coming bag for more, but if you didn’t do the first one please let me know your current 10km time

If you plan to attend, or even thinking about it please email me at the address above. Also let me know if you have a preference for tea or coffee.

Junior trail run

All the juniors will start together at 9.30am so think about arriving from 9am

Both the Under 12 (approx. 1 mile/1.6km, 100 feet/ 30m ascent) and Under 16 (approx. 2 mile/ 3.2km, 200 feet/ 60m ascent) runs will be a straight forward out and back trail run on hard forest tracks, shown on the route map below.  Both these routes will have marshals on them so no one will get lost (we hope).

Anyone interested please let Gregor Nicholson and me know on the email above.

Ages are as at 31.8.20 (consistent with the XC season). Minimum age 9 on the day. 16+ run with the seniors.

Junior Route

Senior Route

Senior Route Profile

Senior start list and times

Name	Estimated   Time (minutes)	Start Time
Ali Burrell	00:55:00	09:35:00
Becky Henderson	00:55:00	09:35:00
Kerry Law	00:51:24	09:38:30
Ali Hilton	00:49:30	09:40:30
Chris Hilton	00:49:30	09:40:30
Tim Warner	00:49:18	09:40:30
Pete Caddick	00:49:30	09:40:30
Mike Goddard	00:46:35	09:43:30
Vicky Morrison	00:46:04	09:44:00
Kyle Mccolm	00:45:05	09:45:00
Scott Robson	00:45:00	09:45:00
Pete Hall	00:45:00	09:45:00
Katie Grieve	00:45:00	09:45:00
Ross Grieve	00:45:00	09:45:00
Rosie Shankley	00:43:17	09:46:30
Alan Elder	00:43:13	09:46:30
Philip Morrison	00:43:08	09:47:00
Gillian Carr	00:42:21	09:47:30
Magda Janus	00:42:42	09:47:30
Alex Campbell	00:41:48	09:48:00
Brian Smith	00:40:37	09:49:30
Darin Dougal	00:38:16	09:52:00
Dean Carr	00:38:12	09:52:00
Craig Henrys	00:37:54	09:52:00
Robbie Devlin	00:37:28	09:52:30
Wull Hynd	00:37:00	09:53:00
Mike McGovern	00:36:47	09:53:00
Danny Lavin	00:36:10	09:54:00
Colin Williams	00:35:29	09:54:30
Marty Davidson	00:33:56	09:56:00
Andrew Dancer	00:33:18	09:56:30
Scott McDonald	00:33:18	09:56:30