Kobe Stevens can hit the sales big-time to celebrate his 18th birthday last week after a rewarding win in the 1600m handicap at the New Year Sprint meeting held on the Meadowmill track near Prestonpans on Wednesday.
The switch to the polymeric surface probably suited Kobe rather than the rough soft conditions which would have prevailed at the traditional venue of Musselburgh Racecourse, but brutal conditions had to be overcome as well as the opposition.
Running off a handicap mark of 150m he knew he had a chance of doing well so opted to skip the 800m given there was only one hour between the races. Third at the bell he moved into the lead and gradually opened a gap down the back straight and managed to hold on into the near gale-force wind up the home straight for a winning margin of over 10m from circuit regulars Willie Bates (195m) and Owen Miller (120m). His winning time of 4.18.44 converts to 4.27 for 1500m which is 11 seconds off his personal best, so an excellent effort given the tough conditions and the time of year with limited speedwork in the bank.
Thursday, 31 December 2015
Saturday, 26 December 2015
Moorfoots at the Mast 2015
A surprise White Christmas through the night quickly turned to a slush-fest, but a hardy band of nine Moorfoots did the annual Boxing Day run to the mast at Dunslair Heights.
Wet feet before we had crossed Whitestone Park, followed by rivers of slush in Soonhope, but some proper snow higher up...then a fast descent down to the Peel cafe for a well earned coffee.
Wet feet before we had crossed Whitestone Park, followed by rivers of slush in Soonhope, but some proper snow higher up...then a fast descent down to the Peel cafe for a well earned coffee.
 |
| Eddie's legs were so cold they turned purple.... |
 |
| At the foot of the Tower Trail |
 |
| Phoning ahead for an avalanche report.... |
Boxing Day Belter from Younger Elder
The old guy with the white beard and belly had given the thumbs up on the Boxing Day handicap course after an early morning recce of the Peebles to Glentress path which he deemed safe to negotiate without the need for reindeer and a sleigh after the overnight snow.
A great turnout of 15 runners (16 if you include one accompanying mum) despite the pretty miserable weather. The incentive of hot chocolate and cake in the Peel cafe afterwards probably helped. Well done all for turning out.
Ethan "New Shoes" Elder, after a big write-up from Knoxy in the Peebs News, lived up to his "much improved" tag to storm home first and collect the "made for sharing" first prize. Euan Hood wasn't too far behind in second and was most disappointed that the runners-up prize from last year of a can of hot dog chipolatas was not on offer this year. (Blame the Nicholsons for all having eyes bigger than their stomachs when preparing their Xmas lunch!).
The Collins duo of Finlay and Madeline, again displaying top form on this their most important race day of the year, battled it out for third on the run to the line with big bro just edging out wee sis.
Kobe Stevens, running from the back, had the fastest scratch time of 11.40 with Mairi Wallace, resplendent in new everything, fastest girl in 13.33.
With Kobe still classed as a junior for the final year, Sophie Collins opting out for being given an insulting "too good" handicap, Bobby Mooney and Iona Minto nursing injuries, Jane Hobbs having to nurse an ill Holly, and Pete Collins having no excuse at all,there was just the one adult, Brian "New Socks" Hood who collected the senior prize of a bottle of Franco's chilli oil (which might double as a good muscle rub!)
Finally, a big well done to eight year-old Olivia McKean who had her first Moorfoot outing accompanied by mum Ruth and comfortably completed the course with a smile in a very respectable time.
Results:
A great turnout of 15 runners (16 if you include one accompanying mum) despite the pretty miserable weather. The incentive of hot chocolate and cake in the Peel cafe afterwards probably helped. Well done all for turning out.
Ethan "New Shoes" Elder, after a big write-up from Knoxy in the Peebs News, lived up to his "much improved" tag to storm home first and collect the "made for sharing" first prize. Euan Hood wasn't too far behind in second and was most disappointed that the runners-up prize from last year of a can of hot dog chipolatas was not on offer this year. (Blame the Nicholsons for all having eyes bigger than their stomachs when preparing their Xmas lunch!).
The Collins duo of Finlay and Madeline, again displaying top form on this their most important race day of the year, battled it out for third on the run to the line with big bro just edging out wee sis.
Kobe Stevens, running from the back, had the fastest scratch time of 11.40 with Mairi Wallace, resplendent in new everything, fastest girl in 13.33.
With Kobe still classed as a junior for the final year, Sophie Collins opting out for being given an insulting "too good" handicap, Bobby Mooney and Iona Minto nursing injuries, Jane Hobbs having to nurse an ill Holly, and Pete Collins having no excuse at all,there was just the one adult, Brian "New Socks" Hood who collected the senior prize of a bottle of Franco's chilli oil (which might double as a good muscle rub!)
Finally, a big well done to eight year-old Olivia McKean who had her first Moorfoot outing accompanied by mum Ruth and comfortably completed the course with a smile in a very respectable time.
Results:
|
|
NAME
|
TIME
|
H’CAP
|
SCRATCH TIME
|
SCRATCH PLACE
|
|
1
|
Ethan Elder
|
15.50
|
3.35
|
12.15
|
2
|
|
2
|
Euan Hood
|
16.08
|
3.45
|
12.23
|
3
|
|
3
|
Finlay Collins
|
16.16
|
3.15
|
13.01
|
4
|
|
4
|
Madeline Collins
|
16.17
|
1.30
|
14.47
|
8
|
|
5
|
Angus Carlyle
|
16.25
|
1.30
|
14.55
|
9
|
|
6
|
Mairi Wallace
|
16.28
|
2.55
|
13.33
|
5
|
|
7
|
Eilidh Mooney
|
16.33
|
1.50
|
14.43
|
6
|
|
8
|
Kobe Stevens
|
16.35
|
4.55
|
11.40
|
1
|
|
9
|
Esme Minto
|
16.55
|
1.30
|
15.25
|
10
|
|
10
|
Beth Hobbs
|
17.20
|
2.35
|
14.45
|
7
|
|
11
|
Olivia/Ruth McKean
|
18.30
|
0.00
|
18.30
|
13
|
|
12
|
Brian Hood
|
18.49
|
2.40
|
16.09
|
11
|
|
13
|
Innes Minto
|
20.39
|
2.35
|
18.04
|
12
|
|
14=
|
Megan Hobbs
|
22.35
|
1.40
|
19.55
|
14=
|
|
14=
|
Kerry Minto
|
22.35
|
1.40
|
19.55
|
14=
|
Sunday, 20 December 2015
Melrose Christmas Pudding Race Dec 13 - Darin 1st and Scott 3rd
The podium was very well represented at last weekend's Melrose Christmas Pudding Race. Darin Dougal won outright over three minutes ahead of Second place and took a tumble en route to the win.
Scott Macdonald almost clinched second place but missed out by 1 second so a great run there too.
The results are here: http://melroseraces.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Christmas-Pudding-Results-2015.xlsx
Scott Macdonald almost clinched second place but missed out by 1 second so a great run there too.
The results are here: http://melroseraces.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Christmas-Pudding-Results-2015.xlsx
Inners Festive Handicap report
The festive handicap was well enjoyed today. It was mild for the time of year but wet at times and very blustery too so big thanks to Fiona Williams for timekeeping, to Andy Cox and Phil MacDonald who marshalled and put out and brought in tape and markers and Eilidh for minding the kids so Fiona could actually keep time!
Mince pies and mulled wine followed with everyone looking and sounding like they had a good time
Details of the course are here
Robbie and David Jackson battled it out over the 3.5km short course with handicap working well and 7 year Robbie holding off 9 year David by 30 secs at the finish.
On the longer course 7 Moorfoots were in action with 3 local friends. Louise Cummings was first home to clinch the handicap by a second, with finishers coming thick and fast. Darin Dougal was first Moorfoot home with the fastest scratch time had a storming run (he came flying passed me-Colin having eaten up my 45sec headstart about only a third of the course and before the main climb). Benjamin Hindley was next home with second scratch time having a strong run managing to keep Darin close once he was caught at the top of the climb. Eddie had a good run too and was caught late on having used his strength on the climb to hold off Alan, Kenny and Magnus.
Results:
Mince pies and mulled wine followed with everyone looking and sounding like they had a good time
Details of the course are here
Robbie and David Jackson battled it out over the 3.5km short course with handicap working well and 7 year Robbie holding off 9 year David by 30 secs at the finish.
On the longer course 7 Moorfoots were in action with 3 local friends. Louise Cummings was first home to clinch the handicap by a second, with finishers coming thick and fast. Darin Dougal was first Moorfoot home with the fastest scratch time had a storming run (he came flying passed me-Colin having eaten up my 45sec headstart about only a third of the course and before the main climb). Benjamin Hindley was next home with second scratch time having a strong run managing to keep Darin close once he was caught at the top of the climb. Eddie had a good run too and was caught late on having used his strength on the climb to hold off Alan, Kenny and Magnus.
 |
| A tired looking Santa congratulates the first elf home.. |
|
Name
|
Start Time | Finish Time | Finish Position | Scratch Time | Scratch Position |
| Louise Cummings | 5.00 | 58.19 | 1 | 53.19 | 8 |
| Ewan Sanderson | 5.00 | 58.20 | 2 | 53.20 | 9 |
| Darin Dougal | 23.45 | 59.37 | 3 | 35.52 | 1 |
| Benjamin Hindley | 22.30 | 59.59 | 4 | 37.29 | 2 |
| Eddie Balfour | 18.00 | 60.31 | 5 | 42.31 | 4 |
| Colin Williams | 23.00 | 60.54 | 6 | 37.54 | 3 |
| Magnus Skea | 18.30 | 62.14 | 7 | 43.44 | 6 |
| Kenny Davidson | 19.00 | 62.27 | 8 | 43.27 | 5 |
| Alan Elder | 18.00 | 63.57 | 9 | 45.57 | 7 |
| Emily Cruikshanks | 0.00 | 70.25 | 10 | 70.25 | 10 |
Saturday, 19 December 2015
Boxing Day Runs
The annual Moorfoot Boxing Day Runs (add jokes about dodgy Christmas Day digestive problems here...) are upon us....
Our three course Menu offers....
Run to the Mast
Seven and a bit-ish hill run up to Dunslair Heights at a sociable pace (90mins-ish) - regular stops to regroup - and back to the Glentress Peel Café for coffee/cake/a blether
Meet at Gytes Leisure Centre Peebles 9:45am for a sharp 1000 start.
Dress accordingly for a slowish run with stops - it is often snowing on the tops - December in the hills - you have been warned...
Should be back down at the Peel café for 1130ish...
Handicap Fun Run
While the seniors slog up to the mast on Boxing Day, all juniors (under 9s accompanied), plus Mums and Dads looking to run off some over-indulgence, or anyone too late/not up for the mast run, are all invited to take part in a c.2mile handicap fun run on the foot/cycle/horse path Peebles to Glentress where we will meet up with the seniors in the Peel café for coffee/juice and cake(s) at about 11.30am.
Meet at the entrance to the old Hydro stables at the foot of Janet’s Brae ready for an 11am start, setting off at intervals, slowest first, fastest last. The finish is just before the main road opposite Glentress (with a couple of adults there to help with crossing the road.) The route can be found here http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6766898
Rule No.1 - Handicapper Gregor has the final say. Rule No.2 - Handicapper Gregor has the final say. Rule No.3 - don’t forget to turn left for the finishing stretch towards Glentress, otherwise you will end up in Cardrona. Rule No.4 - Organise your lift back (or you may be running back on your own). Rule No.5 - Handicapper Gregor has the final say.
Much sought after prizes on offer! Spare clothing etc can be left in Gregor’s car to be transported to the finish and he will have 2-3 spare seats for a lift back after he has had several servings of coffee and cake. Can anyone not called Collins win this year!
Pure Banter
For those who don't fancy the 'run' bit, just meet up at the Peel café for 1130 and join in the blethering bit...all welcome...
Thursday, 17 December 2015
Moorfoot Festive Handicap, Innerleithen - Sunday 20 Dec, 10am
I am organising a Festive Handicap which will also be a
counter for the winter club champs, but the aim is to be a bit of
fun. First start at 10.15am on Sunday 20th Dec, starting near the
Cuddy Bridge off Leithen Road here
The start will be just by the Cuddy Bridge. There will be a choice of routes:
A 2 ¼ miles / 3 ½ km suitable
for juniors and those who simply fancy a shorter route (or
those who had too much at the Christmas party) - the proposed
route is shown below.
There is route is a mix of trail and forest road but it will be muddy and
uneven in places - you will get wet feet!
Please let me know if you are planning to attend so I can try to
work out handicaps. Also I could do with a marshal or two if you are not up for
a run, but can get by without as long as you don't follow Mike McGovern.
Hope to see you there, but be aware if serious
winter conditions occur then we may have to cancel.
Mince pies and refreshments in our conservatory after but it isn't heated so bring a warm coat!
ho, ho, ho
Colin
email - colin.m.williams@talk21.com
Burnside, 52 Leithen Road
Innerleithen EH44 6HY
Saturday, 12 December 2015
We bring you Gold from the East
 |
| Happy Lassies L to R Molly, Charlotte, Beth and Mairi |
No donkeys, just four stars shining brightly to deliver gold in the U15 girls race at the East District XC Champs at Livingston today. Mairi Wallace led the team home with an excellent 4th place in 15mins 34secs for the tough undulating 3.9k course. Charlotte Clare put in her best ever XC performance to come 7th in 15.48 with Beth Hobbs solid as ever in 9th in 15.59. That gave the team a total of 20 points, two points ahead of Edinburgh AC whose counters were 1st, 10th and 11th. But hats off too to Molly Falconer who provided strong support for the team with her 15th place in 16.29. Had any of the others had an off day or been ill, that would still have been good enough for team silver. Charlotte, Beth and Molly are all still eligible in the U15 age-group next season too.
Ethan Elder put himself in the race for a medal, and rightly so, in the U13 boys race over 3.2km but he struggled mid race with his breathing and was unable to hold on in the fight for bronze against opposition he has already beaten this season, eventually finishing 5th; still a highly respectable result.
Unfortunately it was just him, with Michael Girdler and Corran Carrick-Anderson both committed to rugby and cycling respectively, otherwise another Moorfoot team medal was surely in the offing.
It was a similar story in the girls equivalent with a depleted duo of Eilidh Mooney and Charlotte Morrison battling to 30th and 38th in a field of 65.
Craig Angus was the sole rep in the U15 Boys race, finishing a solid 32nd, just inside the top half and Fiona Grant was 17th of 29 in the U17 Women's race.
Finally in the U20 men's race over 8km, Kobe Stevens had a fine run for 13th with Lucas Cheskin having a decent run for 17th of the 29 runners.
Monday, 7 December 2015
Pentlands 7 Reservoirs Multi Terrain Half Marathon Report
Mike McGovern, Andy Cox and I (Colin) headed to Balerno on Sunday morning for the Pentlands 7 Reservoirs Multi Terrain Half Marathon. Following a discussion earlier in the week I suggested we did the race with the intention of doing a 'hard' training run. It's a well organised race and you get a goodie bag including Tunnock's wafer, pot of instant porridge, a Pentlands calendar, a packet of pearl barley and lentils to make Scotch Broth and a completion certificate just for turning up at registration!It's a scenic route and does what it says on the tin as you visit 7 reservoirs in the eastern Pentlands.
The weather was a chilly but bright with a cutting wind but a total contrast after the storms of Friday and Saturday. The ground was completely sodden and surface water everywhere.
The start of the race is on hard tracks and tarmac so the pace was pretty quick to begin with and we found ourselves running in a chasing group fairly soon. It wasn't long before the field started to stretch out and the leaders were away. Mike and I were running a similar pace with Mike starting to build a lead. Sections of the route were on paths poorly disguised as rivers and you spent a lot of time concentrating on where your feet were going. The steep descent down to Bonaly at mile 8 allowed me to catch and pass Mike and two other runners and then we regrouped for the last few miles. We managed to keep to pace ticking along and drop the other two and were running side by side until the last half mile where I managed to up the pace a bit and a gap formed. Thinking I had it in the bag I was cruising in the last 200m until I heard a foot splash in the puddle just behind as Mike had closed right up and sprinted for home.
The course was exactly 13.1 miles but with 380m of climb https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/976676618
I finished 5th in 1.31.57, Mike 5 secs behind in 6th with us 1st & 2nd M40s. Andy was 11th in 1.35.11 which has was content with having just come off a few weeks of non-stop Christmas tree cutting which is good for the guns but does nothing for the running. Full results here
The weather was a chilly but bright with a cutting wind but a total contrast after the storms of Friday and Saturday. The ground was completely sodden and surface water everywhere.
The start of the race is on hard tracks and tarmac so the pace was pretty quick to begin with and we found ourselves running in a chasing group fairly soon. It wasn't long before the field started to stretch out and the leaders were away. Mike and I were running a similar pace with Mike starting to build a lead. Sections of the route were on paths poorly disguised as rivers and you spent a lot of time concentrating on where your feet were going. The steep descent down to Bonaly at mile 8 allowed me to catch and pass Mike and two other runners and then we regrouped for the last few miles. We managed to keep to pace ticking along and drop the other two and were running side by side until the last half mile where I managed to up the pace a bit and a gap formed. Thinking I had it in the bag I was cruising in the last 200m until I heard a foot splash in the puddle just behind as Mike had closed right up and sprinted for home.
The course was exactly 13.1 miles but with 380m of climb https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/976676618
I finished 5th in 1.31.57, Mike 5 secs behind in 6th with us 1st & 2nd M40s. Andy was 11th in 1.35.11 which has was content with having just come off a few weeks of non-stop Christmas tree cutting which is good for the guns but does nothing for the running. Full results here
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