Robert Wilson
Tuesday, 28 February 2017
Bamburgh coastal half marathon
On Saturday a small group ( Robert Wilson, Barry Hughes: half marathon - Moorfoots and Martin Holt: marathon) took part in the Endurancelife Northumberland Coastal trail run based around Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland. After a night catching up over a drink and a meal, Saturday morning dawned in Seahouses blowing a gale and the thought of just heading back to Peebles sounded very appealing. Anyway, being true to the Moorfoots code of running we made our way to the registration at Bamburgh Castle and boarded the bus to the start further along the coast by Craster. The journey was very warm and pleasant but suddenly we realised that the longer the bus journey the further we had to run back to the finish! Off we went and thankfully the wind was more for us than against us, the terrain was mixed with long stretches of coastal path and beach and the closer we got to the finish it became a race against the incoming tide. All in all it was a great test of endurance and a good indicator of how well the winter training has gone, the scenery was stunning and the race was well organised. Definitely not a race for any personal bests but here's a link to the results;
Monday, 27 February 2017
Lilliesleaf 10K
The Lilliesleaf 10k is a low-key, community sports events with a strong focus on supporting local causes. The bulk of this event's takings supporting a local lad on his way to a Borders Exploration Group trip to Bolivia.
Conditions contained all the key ingredients needed to produce a pair of glaury, trauchled legs. Howling wind , driving rain and plethora of muddied hillsides polkadotted with sheep shank impressions - making it challenging to move forward with any urgency.
The route is a change from the last one I ran two years ago with this version seeming to contain much more in the way of climb. Initially, up to the top of the golf course, followed by a good downhill blast and then further slogging across a number of sheep-filled fields - almost all of an uphill nature.
A turn at the higher end is followed by a good charge on multi-puddled, firm farm roads which leads to an enjoyable downhill thrash. Feeling good with the end in sight, I am disappointingly directed headlong into the prevailing wind and rain with 1.5K to go! Slow motion running takes over until the wind is on my back and I feel I can pick up the pace - not so - as I am soon traversing more fields perforated by ovine toes. On a dry day, the runner in front would have been reachable - but not in this quagmire.
I ran round in 53.18 - A whole 11 seconds faster than my Friday night Glentress 10K!
Route Here
Top marshals and even topper soups and breads!
Jacob to the Rescue
Not only did Jacob Adkin have an excellent run in the Nationals on Saturday but on arrival at Callendar Park, as he made his way in from the western reaches of the course, he came to the aid of an Under-17 runner who had just collapsed and conked out
face down in the mud right in front of him. While all the other runners streamed past ignoring their fallen competitor, Jacob got the nearest marshal to radio for assistance, took off his jacket to keep the lad warm and stayed with him until the first aid guys arrived and took over. Seems the lad was ok in the end. However the same can't be said of Jacob's jacket which the first aiders got the lad to lie on in the mud while they treated him! Gold star for Jacob. Dry cleaners for his jacket.
Moorfoots out in mass at Glentress Trail Races
While the juniors
were excelling at Falkirk for the National Cross Country there were four separate
trail races at Glentress over the weekend with Moorfoots featuring in all
races.
Loads of photos here: http://www.granddayoutphotography.co.uk/
There was the
perfect start
to the weekends racing on Friday with Mike McGovern registering the overall win
at Glentress night 10k (and 1st vet). We’ll also claim the first
women with Rosie Watson
winning too (Rosie trained with the Moorfoots for the 4 months until
Christmas as was on placemtn in Peebles although is now back in
Cumbria).
Alan Elder was 2nd Vet 50 and
newcomer to Innerleithen and Tuesday night trainer David Gaffney from Carnethy
was 5th overall so great results all round. Results here
Ruth McKean continued the streak on Saturday by not only
winning the Women’s Vet category and winning the Women’s category outright, and
secured second place overall 10k in 45:43, only 90 seconds off the win. All
this achieved on only two sessions a week – an outstanding performance. Also running was Iain Roberts finishing in 15th place in 51:54
in his ‘comeback’ race it's been 7 years since Iain pinned a number on acquitting
himself admirably.
 |
| Rosie & Mike - 1st Woman and 1st Man in Glentress Night 10k |
In the half marathon where the runners were exposed to long
muddy and sodden sections of un-made ‘natural trail’ at the top of the forest,
as well as 750m of climb.
The Moorfoots acquitted themselves well with Pete Hall was 5th
Vet 50, (02:09:02); Alex
Nisbet, 11th Senior Female, (2:15:26); Fiona Williams, 7th F40 (2:17:45 –
and her first race for 2 ½ years after struggling for a long period with post
viral fatigue); Lucy Husband 15th
F40 (2:42:02).
In the biggy, which consisted of two full laps of the half
marathon course, Andrew Dancer running for the Moorfoots for the first time since
moving to Peebles last had a brilliant and well judged run, and made it on to
the podium to finish in 3rd place. He looked remarkably relaxed and
fresh when I saw him at the end of lap 1, but he was a long way off the podium
at this point. His ultra running stamina obviously came to the fore and I’m
guessing Andrew must have overtaken about 10 runners to record a negative split
second lap and get on the podium in a time of 3:49:33. Who knows but if it had
been three laps he probably would have come first!
Results for all three Saturday races here: https://www.highterrainevents.co.uk/glentress-trail-race |
| Ruth |
 |
| Iain |
 |
| Pete |
 |
| Alex |
 |
| Fi |
 |
| Fi sprinting |
 |
| Andrew Dancer taking it easy apparently! |
Loads of photos here: http://www.granddayoutphotography.co.uk/
Saturday, 25 February 2017
Juniors Endure Muddy Waters at Callendar Park (but better that than a Cold Play day)
Word is it was touch and go early doors whether or not the National XC would go ahead because of the torrential rain during the preceding 24 hours leaving parts of the course flooded, and if not, then slippy slidy slop. A few late course adjustments were made to avoid the runners having to plough their way through 6-inch deep lakes.
With the gazebo secured to a 6-foot fence corner on the sheltered side of Callendar House, the worst of the weather was avoided and the gazebo survived the early 40mph gusts.
James Clare was the sole Moorfoot in the U13 Boys 3.2km race and had a solid run, comfortably in the top half with his 66th of 164 finishers in 12.51. James is very young in his year group and is still a U13 next year.
Same course for the U13 Girls in which Emily Carrick-Anderson had an excellent run for 29th of 140 in a time of 13.14, with Esme Minto hot on her heels, just failing to catch her and being given the same time for 30th, a much improved run. Megan Hobbs stuck in well for 67th in 13.59 and Christina McGorum was only 2 seconds behind in 70th, so top half, just. That placed the girls 8th of the 16 clubs who fielded a team of four or more for the team race. Emily, Esme and Christina are all first-year in the two-year age-group as is Madeline Collins who had to miss the race having not recovered sufficiently from her recent horse kick.
The U15 Girls team went one place better for 7th of 13 complete teams. Beth Hobbs had her best run for a while for 22nd of 118 finishers over the 4.2km course in a time of 15.48. As in the U13 race, the second Moorfoot home, Charlotte Clare, was closing fast towards the end, crossing the line just two places and a fast diminishing two seconds behind Beth. The "Moorfoot Limpets", Eilidh Mooney and Charlotte Morrison, who are both year-1 U15s, stuck together until the final hill with about 600m to go when Eilidh just edged ahead, finishing 67th in 17.20. Charlotte was seven seconds behind in 71st.
Ethan Elder, U13 silver medallist last year, started fast in the U15 Boys race also over 4.2km, maybe a tad too fast, but kept on well for 26th of 150 in 14.24. Craig Angus had another good run for 39th in 14.37.
The U17 Women's race distance had been upped this year to 5.9km and proved even more of a slog in the increasingly churned up course. Mairi Wallace was the best Moorfoot finisher of the day setting a good tempo from the off and staying on well for 14th in 27.06. She is another year-1 in her age-group. Ailsa Innes, in the Lasswade vest, was 23rd of the 48 finishers in 29.16 and Fiona Grant 38th 31.59.
Euan Hood, for Lasswade, looked to be finding the muddy conditions not too much to his liking in the U17 Men's race but as yet another first year, he still had a decent enough finish in 56th in 25.14.
And so to the senior men's race and the much anticipated outing for Alan Elder, fresh from his Friday night warm up in the headtorch Glentress 10k. "Change of plan" says he. "I dinnae fancy it. Saving myself for Lilliesleaf tomorrow." Obviously he's going soft, wimping out of three races in three days!
But Jacob Adkin and Lucas Cheskin both ran very well for Edinburgh Uni and Shettleston respectively. Jacob was 23rd in 37.18 and Lucas 87th of a mammoth field of 647 finishers in 40.17.
Sight of the day as I made my way back to the Moorfoot base camp by the side of Callendar House, was the sight of a handful of daft lassies paddling around almost knee deep in the huge lake that had formed on the "lawn" in front of the house. "Look at these nutters" I thought to myself, only to realise as I got closer that it was the Moorfoot U13 girls accompanied by Hobbs the minor who at least, having been too young to race, had wellies on.
Some photos on the Moorfoot FB here
With the gazebo secured to a 6-foot fence corner on the sheltered side of Callendar House, the worst of the weather was avoided and the gazebo survived the early 40mph gusts.
James Clare was the sole Moorfoot in the U13 Boys 3.2km race and had a solid run, comfortably in the top half with his 66th of 164 finishers in 12.51. James is very young in his year group and is still a U13 next year.
Same course for the U13 Girls in which Emily Carrick-Anderson had an excellent run for 29th of 140 in a time of 13.14, with Esme Minto hot on her heels, just failing to catch her and being given the same time for 30th, a much improved run. Megan Hobbs stuck in well for 67th in 13.59 and Christina McGorum was only 2 seconds behind in 70th, so top half, just. That placed the girls 8th of the 16 clubs who fielded a team of four or more for the team race. Emily, Esme and Christina are all first-year in the two-year age-group as is Madeline Collins who had to miss the race having not recovered sufficiently from her recent horse kick.
The U15 Girls team went one place better for 7th of 13 complete teams. Beth Hobbs had her best run for a while for 22nd of 118 finishers over the 4.2km course in a time of 15.48. As in the U13 race, the second Moorfoot home, Charlotte Clare, was closing fast towards the end, crossing the line just two places and a fast diminishing two seconds behind Beth. The "Moorfoot Limpets", Eilidh Mooney and Charlotte Morrison, who are both year-1 U15s, stuck together until the final hill with about 600m to go when Eilidh just edged ahead, finishing 67th in 17.20. Charlotte was seven seconds behind in 71st.
Ethan Elder, U13 silver medallist last year, started fast in the U15 Boys race also over 4.2km, maybe a tad too fast, but kept on well for 26th of 150 in 14.24. Craig Angus had another good run for 39th in 14.37.
The U17 Women's race distance had been upped this year to 5.9km and proved even more of a slog in the increasingly churned up course. Mairi Wallace was the best Moorfoot finisher of the day setting a good tempo from the off and staying on well for 14th in 27.06. She is another year-1 in her age-group. Ailsa Innes, in the Lasswade vest, was 23rd of the 48 finishers in 29.16 and Fiona Grant 38th 31.59.
Euan Hood, for Lasswade, looked to be finding the muddy conditions not too much to his liking in the U17 Men's race but as yet another first year, he still had a decent enough finish in 56th in 25.14.
And so to the senior men's race and the much anticipated outing for Alan Elder, fresh from his Friday night warm up in the headtorch Glentress 10k. "Change of plan" says he. "I dinnae fancy it. Saving myself for Lilliesleaf tomorrow." Obviously he's going soft, wimping out of three races in three days!
But Jacob Adkin and Lucas Cheskin both ran very well for Edinburgh Uni and Shettleston respectively. Jacob was 23rd in 37.18 and Lucas 87th of a mammoth field of 647 finishers in 40.17.
Sight of the day as I made my way back to the Moorfoot base camp by the side of Callendar House, was the sight of a handful of daft lassies paddling around almost knee deep in the huge lake that had formed on the "lawn" in front of the house. "Look at these nutters" I thought to myself, only to realise as I got closer that it was the Moorfoot U13 girls accompanied by Hobbs the minor who at least, having been too young to race, had wellies on.
Some photos on the Moorfoot FB here
Thursday, 23 February 2017
Borders Cross Country Final Round in Dunbar and Overall 2016/17 Series Placings
The final round of the Borders Cross Country series took part on Sunday 19 Feb which allowed for the overall series placings to be finalised, with the best 4 results counting out the possible 7 rounds to allow an overall placing.
25 Juniors and 5 Seniors took part in at least one race in the series and well done for the 8 juniors and 4 seniors completing a series placing.
In particular congratulations go to Esme Minto, Thomas Glasgow, Cameron Munro who all secured 3rd places in their respective series categories and Carol Moss and Mike Pearson for their 2nd places.
Juniors Series results (placings in orange indicate that less than 4 races completed):
Seniors course Results (placings in orange indicate that less than 4 races completed):
Full results here: http://bordersxc.blogspot.co.uk/
Photos of Dunbar Senior race here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/125100284@N03/albums/72157678948072830
Photos of Junior race here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/125100284@N03/albums/72157676954317084
25 Juniors and 5 Seniors took part in at least one race in the series and well done for the 8 juniors and 4 seniors completing a series placing.
In particular congratulations go to Esme Minto, Thomas Glasgow, Cameron Munro who all secured 3rd places in their respective series categories and Carol Moss and Mike Pearson for their 2nd places.
Juniors Series results (placings in orange indicate that less than 4 races completed):
|
Forename
|
Surname
|
Age
|
Gender
|
Cat
|
Placing
|
|
Esme
|
Minto
|
11
|
F
|
F10-11
|
3
|
|
Holly
|
Hobbs
|
11
|
F
|
F10-11
|
18
|
|
Kate
|
Harvie
|
11
|
F
|
F10-11
|
19
|
|
Trinity
|
Dimmock
|
11
|
F
|
F10-11
|
23
|
|
Hannah
|
Sorrell
|
10
|
F
|
F10-11
|
26
|
|
Eilidh
|
Mooney
|
13
|
F
|
F12-13
|
15
|
|
Charlotte
|
Morrison
|
13
|
F
|
F12-13
|
16
|
|
Megan
|
Hobbs
|
13
|
F
|
F12-13
|
17
|
|
Madeline
|
Collins
|
12
|
F
|
F12-13
|
18
|
|
Beth
|
Hobbs
|
14
|
F
|
F14-15
|
8
|
|
thomas
|
glasgow
|
9
|
M
|
M8-9
|
3
|
|
Cameron
|
Carlyle
|
9
|
M
|
M8-9
|
5
|
|
Ben
|
Allan
|
10
|
M
|
M10-11
|
6
|
|
Angus
|
Carlyle
|
10
|
M
|
M10-11
|
7
|
|
Danny
|
Lancaster
|
10
|
M
|
M10-11
|
13
|
|
Thomas
|
Hilton
|
10
|
M
|
M10-11
|
15
|
|
Jake
|
Lockyer
|
10
|
M
|
M10-11
|
28
|
|
Alec
|
Sellar
|
11
|
M
|
M10-11
|
34
|
|
Innes
|
Cormack
|
10
|
M
|
M10-11
|
36
|
|
Cameron
|
Munro
|
13
|
M
|
M12-13
|
3
|
|
Ethan
|
Elder
|
14
|
M
|
M14-15
|
17
|
|
Craig
|
Angus
|
14
|
M
|
M14-15
|
18
|
|
Forename
|
Surname
|
Gender
|
Cat
|
Placing
|
|
Carol
|
Moss
|
F
|
F50+
|
2
|
|
Mairi
|
Wallace
|
F
|
FJ
|
5
|
|
Russell
|
Anderson
|
M
|
M50+
|
9
|
|
Ian
|
Munro
|
M
|
M50+
|
20
|
|
Alan
|
Elder
|
M
|
M50+
|
50
|
|
Michael
|
Pearson
|
M
|
M70+
|
2
|
|
Kobe
|
Stevens
|
M
|
MJ
|
10
|
Photos of Junior race here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/125100284@N03/albums/72157676954317084
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
