Eildon Hill Race 2016

A handful of Moorfoots made their way to Gibson Park in Melrose on Saturday 25th June for this 7.2km, 480m climb event.

Being included in the following, 

• Scottish Athletics Championships
• SHR Championships
• Borders Hill Race Series

this race was certain to attract a large and accomplished field. The weather, if not a little humid, stayed mostly kind with runners subjected to an occasional pummeling from passing torrential rain storms.

The initial uphill section is always hard work (to this runner but certainly not the uphill specialist in Cox, Adkin and Cheskin). Once over the first hill, things ease a little and there is good running out to the middle hill and to the bottom of the last uphill section of hill three. Once over the last climb, it is a fantastic downhill thrash all the way to Melrose High Street and into the park for a final dash on the grass.

The first male back was Tom Owens of Shettleston in a new record time of 34:16 (it gives some idea of the quality of the front runners when the first 5 broke the previous course record!)

First lady back, not long after last month's 6th place at the GB Euro Trials, was Moorfoot's own Scout Adkin. Scout charged round in 41:02 - Becoming the new ladies' Scottish Hill Running Champion in the process. Stephanie Provan of Deeside Runners, the next lady, just over 20 seconds behind.

Andy Cox was the first Moorfoot male back in 38.50 with Lucas Cheskin coming home in 39:33 - over 6 minutes less than 2015.

In the slightly more senior category, David Cheskin completed a good run in 49:49 - over 5 minutes quicker than last year. 

Alan Elder made the trip in 53.44 - a minute down on last year's time (which he is blaming on being trapped in the snake of runners that was plodding up the first hill!)

Full results here