Boxing Day Handicap Fun Run for Juniors and Mums and Dads

Give the turkey a break, and get out and try your new running gear....

"While the seniors slog up to the mast on Boxing Day, all juniors (min. age 8) AND Mums and Dads are invited to take part in a handicap 2km fun run round Whitstone and Kerfield (2 laps).

Given the freezing temperatures this is very likely to be run in the snow but with no more than 2” lying in the park, it is runnable.

However you take part at your own risk. Hats, gloves and full body cover (running tights or trackies) are strongly advised. There will be spot prizes for the most dandy of each. Bring your own snack and drink for afterwards especially if you are waiting for the seniors to get back to The Gytes (which is not open).

Meet at 10am by the cricket pavilion for a group warm-up.
Race starts c. 10.15am.

Handicapper Gregor has the final say.
Race Rule No.1 - no-one is allowed to say “snow”, especially “snow fair” if unhappy with the handicapping!"


Gregor Nicholson

Moorfoot Boxing Day Run

The traditional Moorfoot Boxing day run up to the Mast on Dunslair Heights will take place this year on Sunday 26-December, meeting at the Gytes at 10:00am sharp.

All welcome - a sociable (read 'slow') pace planned - snow and ice guaranteed - full body cover recommended (although remains optional for the more hardy hill runner).

The route goes up Soonhop Valley to Shieldgreen Centre before climbing up behind the cottage; then up the mountain bike track for a bit before changing to a walkers' track before joing the mountain bike track again for the final ascent to the mast.
Route back is pretty much down the fireroad to Buzzards Nest and then down the Jenny Brae Road.

Probably about 90 mins + worth, given the conditions....but some scope to cut short before the main climb, if you don't want to over do it....

See you there.....

Peebles Leg of Border XC (19-Dec) is CANCELLED

See here...

Sorry folks, we tried our best.....

Borders XC - Peebles Leg

After much discussion and numerous 'pitch inspections', we have a course which we believe will be runnable in the current mid-winter conditions.

Registration will be at the Peebles RFC Pavillion in Haylodge Park from 1000 onwards.
To speed up the regitsation process, please download and complete the entry form beforehand and have the exact money fo your entry.

Juniors will run on a modified course within the park - race start 1130

Seniors will run on a modified course on the south side of the river - race start 1200 (after the junior race)
Note that there is a short walk from the park to the start of the senior course (approx 10 mins walk from registration)

Please use the car parking at Haylodge Park (off the Glasgow road near the new Kingsland School)

Marshalls should meet at the Fotheringham Bridge in Haylodge Park at 1100 - make sure you have done any race registration before hand.
It will be extremely cold, so please dress appropriately....

Map of modified Junior course below:

Note to Juniors and Parents/Carers/Guardians:

As things stand a modified junior course in Hay Lodge park (2 laps of just under 1km each) is runnable but entrants should be aware that there is 1 inch of powdery snow on the course and suitable footwear - spikes, studs or trail shoes – is strongly advised. The usual steep hill has been taken out but runners who wear road-style training shoes without a good tread are likely to be disadvantaged, although no more so than in muddy conditions.”

Moorfoot Victory in Italy

News from the Moorfoot Italian chapter....

Moorfoots victorious in Italy !


Its been almost 30 years since I’ve been able to claim victory in a race, but somehow I managed to win a 15k Christmas race here in Northern Italy at my new work. Admittedly most of the better runners were running the half marathon course! It was a pretty hilly course and I managed it round in 1:08:55 so I was happy with that and even made it back to the finishing line before the official timekeeper who was still out directing people on the course. There were several bottles of Prosecco on offer at the finish too – something I will encourage at the Moorfoots handicap races when I return. Most of the runners in the club here are French or Belgian, so conversations during lunchtime runs are usually in French with a smattering of Italian - so I can keep my breath for running. I’m missing the hills around Peebles – but there are some serious hills around my house here – rising to over 1000m. Fortunately you can get a cable car up and just run down, so don’t expect too much on my return.

Have a good Christmas!

Laurence

Sunday Run - 12-December

Lauder XC is postponed so a Sunday run has been rescheduled meeting at the Gytes Peebles at 10:00am - all welcome....sociable pace, should be back around 11:15ish..

See you there....

Peebles Borders XC - Volunteers Required

The rapid thaw this week means that we are still hopeful of the Peebles leg of the Borders XC series going ahead as scheduled on Sunday 19-December.

As host club, we need a number of volunteers to assist with various marshalling duties to make the event run smoothly.

We need volunteers on the Sunday from 1030 through to ~1330 - some course marking out and then course marshalling.

Please can you confirm your availability to Kenny (kg.davidsonATbtinternet.com) and further information on duties and where to meet will be provided.

Remember, if you are planning to run in the race as a Moorfoot, it would be appreciated if you can provide a friend/family member to assist with marshalling duties.

Regards...

Kenny
(Club Captain)

Lauder BXC Postponed

Due to the ongoing wintery conditions and the hard frosts forecast for the next few days, a decision has been made to postpone the Lauder leg of the Borders XC series.

See BordersXC website here....

Some possibility of a thaw starting next week, so no final decisions on the Peebles leg (19-Dec) yet, but will remain under review...