Hill Runners - Kit Checks

For those running Tinto (and all hill races), be aware of the enforcement of kit checks - in particular note the Waterproof Jacket requirements

** Waterproof jacket (with taped seams and attached hood) **

Last year, some runners were turned away at the start because they did not have minimum kit; this year, it is already being communicated that refunds will be provided to entrants if they have entered but cannot meet the requirements

Tinto Kit

Jedburgh Half and 10k

Wild conditions also greeed the Moorfoots who made it Jedburgh for the 10k and 1/2 marathon today, but there were some very good performances from Moorfoots. The wind meant the return legs were brutal and any pb aspirations were shot.

There were just over 400 runners in the half with a high quality field and the top 3 running 1.10 -1.12. Top moorfoot performance coming from Rachel Smith who finished as 8th woman in 1.33:56. The top male perforamce came from her other half James Britton finishing 11th in 1.20.57. Colin Williams (me) finished 1.25:00 in 26th.

With 300+ runners in the 10k Darin Dougal ran very strongly with a 7th in 36.27, followed by Mike McGovern 11th in 38.30 and were 1st and 2nd V40 respectively. Alan Elder was 46th in 45.36, 6th V50.
Results here: http://www.jedburghhalfmarathon.org.uk/results%20main.html

Sorry if I've missed anyone!

Run Of The Mill

 A proper hill race !

Wild conditions for this years Run Of the Mill race at Alva -  standing up was a challenge at times on some of the ridges. No visibility for most of the way so was desperately trying to keep the next runner in sight.
Despite the weather I still thoroughly enjoyed the run - I think this must be one of my favourite hill races. The steep grassy descent into Alva at the end is superb - I was in a pack of about 6 runners which made it even more exciting trying not to trip each other up.
Pleased with my time which was almost identical to last year. 1:34 (29th out of 95 runners).

 full results

Been a long season!

This year I tried something different, in the form of the Scottish long classic series. Here are the final standings........http://chris-upson.com/LongClassics/2014/LongClassics2014_r10.xls

Club Hosting of East District XC Relays a Success

Thanks to all who mucked in to make our hosting of this Scottish Athletics Championship event a great success. It was a lot of work but very positive feedback.

Some twitter comments:

Bella Road Runners ‏@bellaroadrunner now THAT'S what I call XC!

Liam McCabe ‏@liamrun  I did warn y'all. Borders is the home of #xtremeXC

Scott- lish Sounds ‏@malc_parry  was a challenging course today. I think I enjoyed it :-S

Fiona Brownlee ‏@sleeplessmum  Lovely family day out in Peebles with Scarlett doing East District x country relays

See Scottish Athletics Facebook for photos. Also some photos from Central AC on flickr here  www.flickr.com/photos/centralac/sets/72157648285459487/

And well done to the Moorfoot Boys' team who finished a very respectable 8th - Craig Angus on the U13 leg handing over to Euan Hood on the U15 leg and then Kobe Stevens on the U17 leg.

Senior men's team next year?

Manor Water Hill Race

Coming off the steep ground about a mile from the finish and Kenny is poised to overtake! Perfect tactics!



Club President looking good on the climb

 

Darin cruising towards his 2nd place

Another day with perfect running weather for this years Manor Water Hill race.
Darin Dougal - 1:16 (2nd position)
Mike McGovern - 1:20 (7th position)
Kenny Davidson - 1:29:11 (20th position)
Eddie Balfour - 1:29:17 (21st position)

Great atmosphere at the end of the race with all sorts of unusual prizes - beers, boxes of eggs and even a black faced sheep if you won 3rd place in the raffle!!

full results

Moorfoots at Chester Marathon

Phil Coutts and I both ran the Chester Marathon on Sunday, a largely flat course which starts and finishes in the historic centre of Chester and crosses the border into Wales for several miles also. A beautiful day meant ideal running conditions; Phil managed a PB of 3:40 and I recorded the elusive negative split in a time of 3:36. Several runners from Gala present also amongst a field of around 3000 or so. A good run to finish the competitive year with!

New Club Training Top

FOR ALL PAID UP CLUB MEMEBERS

A new club training top costing £15 is available for individual order through Preston’s of Peebles at 9 Bridgegate, just down and opposite the Sunflower restaurant. See here for info and sizes http://www.spiroactivewear.com/product.php?prod=S178X  and also the attached photo. The model is wearing a size L.

Unfortunately it is adult sizes only but the XS will hopefully fit a lot of the juniors. Roddy at Preston’s will keep one of each size in stock so if you want to try one for size, just call in there from Friday. He is open 11am to 4pm Mon-Fri.

Roddy will take individual orders using the attached form. Moorfoot Club Training Top Order form

 

The cost of the garment has been kept down through a fairly decent subsidy by the club with Preston’s re-charging the club for the subsidised amount per garment ordered. So you just pay Preston’s £15 per garment or £15.50 if you want the optional extra of two small initials on the front left breast for personalisation. He won’t carry a huge amount of stock and he avoids delivery charges if he waits until he has accumulated a few orders up to a certain value before buying in the garments so please be patient if it takes a few days before your order is ready.

Newcastle to Berlin via South Shields

From Newcastle to Berlin.  2 races each with great outcomes and both in warm weather. If you ever want to do a race and guarantee the weather ask me along as I always seem to be able to get a marathon sun tan and both of these races were no exception. Also in both cases I was able to get close to the front to start and that made all the difference when trying to get through the crowds of runners which had hampered me in previous years. 

The GNR was looking for its millionth finisher which is incredible when you think about it. The start was quite hectic even though I was near the front. It's all the luvvy celebs - none of which I recognised. Even dodging all over the place I managed 6.40 for mile 1 and 6.20 for mile 2 which on the face of it was good but I knew that if I kept it up I'd pay for it later. I was aiming for around 6.50 pace which would get me under 90 minutes. The early miles did have an impact and I ended up with just under 7 min mile pace at 91.37. With 57,000 starters I was pleased to be in the top 2%

Berlin is my 4th out of the 5 majors I want to run. I don't count Tokyo as it was added later and I have no interest in running it. Weather and crowds were great, the course is flat and the sights are amazing. Plan was to try and beat 3.20 with an average of  7.30. Bad start as I got knocked over at the first drink stop. Confidence also took a bit of a hit. Worked towards 7.30 at half way but the miles took their toll and I ended up with 7.36 which translates to 3.22.11. A new pb by 1.5 minutes. Would do it again if the travelling was easier but that's another story. 

The photo is a selfie at the start in front of the Brandenburg Gate which I ran through in the last 400m. Although you can't see it I am sporting my Moorfoots top. 

Anyone for the Jedburgh Half :)