SUMMER BBQ - SUN 13th AUGUST - GLENTRESS PEEL CAFE

MOORFOOT RUNNERS SUMMER BBQ – SUN 13^th AUG  GLENTRESS PEEL CAFÉ  - 5:00/5:30pm

By popular request we are going back to the GLENTRESS PEEL CAFÉ for this years summer BBQ.

Sunday 13^th August at the Glentress Peel café – in the covered area at the end of the café  (so weather proofed!!)

This is a social event where family members are all invited. It is a rare opportunity for members of the club to meet and catch up on the summers activities. 

There will be the usual round of awards for Junior Club members.

Full details will follow shortly.

Eddie Balfour

Club Treasurer

Role Reversal Secures Sponsorship Renewal

Some role reversal has seen popular Peebles Italian restaurant Franco’s renew its sponsorship of the Cademuir Rollercoaster hill races which are scheduled for the grassy slopes of Cademuir Hill on the south side of the town on Saturday 12 August.

Race organiser Gregor donned his chef’s outfit for a gnocchi making lesson from Franco’s co-proprietor Francesco de Martino in Franco’s kitchen, then put Francesco through his paces with a training session on Tweed Green.

“Regular patrons needn’t be alarmed”, he said. “None of my efforts were for public consumption and I will definitely not be a permanent feature in the kitchen.” And in a similar vein, Francesco added “I don’t think any of the runners will be worrying too much about having to race me”.

Franco’s sponsorship deal includes vouchers as prizes and the lucky male and female winners of the senior race will also receive a bottle of prosecco, courtesy of Franco’s partner Bacco Wines in Edinburgh, a step up from the usual bottled beer on offer at other hill races.

Gregor added, “Cademuir Hill provides excellent running terrain, much of it on the paths of The John Buchan Way, with some fantastic views of Peebles and the surrounding countryside. Like most hill races, you don’t have to be a super-fit club athlete to enter. Usually a third of the runners are non-club runners. There is a real community feel to this type of hill race whether you are racing near the front, trying to beat your own time from last year, running with friends, or just enjoying some healthy exercise in a beautiful environment, all for the princely sum of £2.”

Franco’s co-proprietor Marisa de Martino said “We are delighted to continue to sponsor this community race which we have done since it was first held in 2014. Good luck to all the local runners but especially those who enjoy Franco’s for their pre-race or post-race meal.”

In a slight change to previous years, there is a three course menu for this year’s Rollercoaster races  – short (3.8km), medium (5.8km) and long (8km). Further information, including race times, course maps and age eligibility, can be found on the Moorfoot Runners website www.moorfootrunners.co.uk 

Darin 5th at Kelso 10k, Andrew Dancer 3rd in Dundee Marathon, Jacob 4th in German Alpine race

More results from the weekend with some excellent performances.
Darin Dougal was 5th at Kelso 10k in 38:09 (3rd M40). Results here
Andrew Dancer was 3rd in the Dundee Running Adventure Marathon in 3:02:42 - full results here
Jacob Adkin was in German Alps racing as part of 'Team Scotland' with Robbie Simpson at the Karwendel mountain run . Robbie Simpson won it in 59:09, (apparently he has had to withdraw from the GB marathon team at the at the World Athletics Champs starting in 10 days in London after being selected earlier in the year). Jacob came 4th in 1:03:30 and Team Scotland won the team prize! Full Results

This is what the website says:
With a length of 11 km and an altitude difference of 1,462 meters, the Karwendel mountain range is the most spectacular mountain run in Germany and was the venue for the 2008 German Mountain Race Championships.  The route leads from the pedestrian zone Mittenwald (912m) over the Dammkar ski run up to the northern Linderspitze at 2,374m above sea level. 
At the top station of the Karwendelbahn the runners not only expect a world-wide unique building, which has been designed in the form of a giant telescope, but also fascinating views of the Karwendel Alps.
The absolute highlight for every participant is the crossing of the 430 m long dam tunnel at 2,200 m above sea level.

Robbie Simpson & Jacob at the Start

Andy Cox races at Snowdon

Andy Cox's tour of classic British hill races continues, having already raced at the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Race and Skiddaw this season the latest mission saw him racing at Snowdon (9.4 miles & 3,300 feet of ascent) having tried it in 2015 for the first time. This is what Andy said about it:

Weather was poor, mist all the way, I was 56th out of 563 overall and 21st in the open race. 1:22:36, 2017 splits half way  (24.51), top (53.22), 2015 half way (28.02), top (55.47) 1:25:45 so happy with a pb, as I still didn't feel that good from Skiddaw two weeks ago. Davide Magnini from Italy won 1:06:43, first women Anne Conway Salomon UK and Ambleside, 1:20:16. Scotland's womens team won team prize and James Espie, Deeside from the Scotland team was highest place Scot in 5th 1:09:56.

Full results here. Cracking race by Andy to get in the top 10% of such a high class field.


Too easy - not even sweaty! (Actually this is the before picture)

Afterwards there was a book signing for Running Hard by Steve Chilton, highly recommended book. The story of the rivalry between Kenny Stuart and John wild in the 1983 championship year where it went down to the last race....... Photo with the legend himself king of the fells Kenny Stuart.

St Ronans Border Games 2017 including Lee Pen Hill Race

There was a good Moorfoot turnout at the Innerleithen's St Ronans Border Games.
In the track events the junior section had many good performances. Craig Angus won the youth 800m, and then followed it up with 3rd in 1600m later. In the Senior events Kobe Stevens won the Open 800m overtaking the whole field as he was back marker and he was also awarded the trophy for best performance of the day. As the Borders Athletics facebook page says: Fantastic run Kobe.

Euan Hood who trains with the Moorfoots had a great day too winning the Open 1600m and third in 800m behind Kobe earlier in the day.
The track results are here and if anyone wants to elaborate then go for it.

The games always start with the Lee Pen Hill Race which had a total of 30 entries this year.
It's 3 miles straight up with 1,200 feet of climb and then foot burning descent.
The stand out performance was Charlotte Morgan, Carnethy's Scottish and GB Hill International, broke the woman's record setting a new mark at 28:26, finishing sixth overall. The race was won outright by the fast time of 25:43 by Peter Hodkinson of Hunters Bog Trotters, with two veteran ex-champion hill runners in the mix with Colin Donnelly 2nd (British Champ 87-89) and 3rd Brian Marshall (Scottish Champ 2005 + 07).

Two Moorfoots were in action Dave Gaffney and Colin Williams vying for the prize for first local. As the race unfolded Dave and Colin were climbing together up the steep side of the Lee Pen ridge, however as they crested Dave got a gap and then continued to climb strongly on the rocky section up to the summit where the gap was about 20 seconds which was pretty much maintained to the finish on the rather damp descent. Well done Dave who picked up the first locals prize finishing 8th in 29:33 with Colin 9th in 29:55. Full results here.

Many thanks to the Moorfoots who helped setting the course and help marshalling, Mike McGovern, Craig Rendle, Benjamin Hindley, and Fiona Williams, along with the Games organisers and helpers.

Some great photos here courtesy of Lauren Corbs

 

Jacob wins at Ben Ledi

Congratulations to Jacob Adkin for the win at Ben Ledi on Saturday 1st July, who broke the course record too which was only set last year by Graham Gristwood (Senior GB Team for World Mountain Running Champs 2016 & 2017) ! Superb performance

Jacob's comments:
"Very well organised race on what could/should be a classic hill race that will hopefully become much more popular in the years to come. I started steady at the front, then started pushing on ahead before turning onto the main path to the summit. Reached the summit with a good gap and just made sure I kept it on the technical descent. Really fun race with great support from marshals and lots of the other people on the hill which was nice! Felt really good to be back racing after 4 months out of it!"
This event is a hill race involving 750m of ascent in a circular route over “Callander’s Mountain” – Ben Ledi (879m). Details here and full results here.

Moffat Gala Run 15km report

Three Moorfoots made it to Moffat for their annual 15km Gala Run - Scott McDonald, Colin Williams and Lucas Cheskin.

Setting off

It is a very challenging course - the first 3.75 miles undulates with a subtle but gradual rise of 350 feet.  This is followed by the most challenging part of the route, just under one mile of steep, rutted & stony farm track rising 550 feet. On reaching the top, there is a spectacular 4.6 mile downhill descent back into Moffat town centre on the A701.

The race started with Lucas setting off a blistering pace in a lead group of 3. Scott also set off very swiftly chasing the lead with another runner, while I (Colin) settled into the 'pack'. Scott maintained a very competitive pace throughout the run and finished in 4th overall in a new course PB of 57.27 and won the V50 prize (keeping the unbeaten V50 streak going!). A fantastic display and this race seems to really suit Scott. 

The closest I got to Scott!

Scott floating along

Lucas unfortunately struggled and pulled up on the steep climb. I was running in a group of the 5th - 12th placed runners and had the feeling of them all slowly passing me and pulling away - the steep climb shook if up again and I gained several places but it all came to nothing as the I simply couldn't maintain the 5:30 minute mile pace on the 4 mile downhill section as they all seemed to overtake me again. I recognised one runner as she passed me - Joasia Zakrzewski who has represented GB at 50km and 100km on the road and the Trail World Championships, and Scotland in the marathon at the Commonwealth Games (2.39 PB) - and exchanged a few words:

me: "this must just be a training run for you"
JZ: "yes - I was helping with the 24 hour Munro record over the weekend, and ran 12 Munros" !!

She had helped Jim Mann in his 24 hour Munro record with 30 tops in 22hr 18min . She then dropped me on the descent and I came in in 11th place in 59.08 (5th Vet - 2nd MV40). Full results here

Junior Races were held beforehand either 1 mile or 2.5 miles depending on the age and Alice came 3rd in the 7/8yr old girls and was very chuffed!

All in all a very well organised event on a lovely evening and highly recommended

Earlston Black Hill Race Report

Robert Wilson, Alan Elder and Colin Williams took part on in the Black Hill Race on Tuesday night as part of the Earlston Civic Week on a rather damp and misty evening.

The one advantage of the low cloud was that you were fooled into thinking that the steep Black Hill climb wasn't as long as it is as you couldn't see the top!
This year there were 88 runners and the event was won in a scorching time of 33:25 by Adam Craig. Apparently Adam is originally from Lauder by is on athletics scholarship at University in the US and can run 10,000m in 29:39 so he is seriously fast, although Gavin Bryson from Lauder gave him a good race.
The Moorfoots were more measured in our performances finishing in the following times and placing.

Place	Name	Time
9	Colin Williams	38:59
41	Alan Elder	44:59
55	Robert Wilson	50:05

Full results: http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceResults.aspx?RaceID=RA-0229&Year=2017

Robert finishing

Alan running passed a sweet shop very quickly - never thought I'd see it!

It's a great value race if you ever think of doing - £8, including a technical t-shirt, finishers medal, and mars bar and bottle of water!

Inaugural 'Scurry to the Sea' Hillend > Musselburgh 12 mile mixed terrain race. Sunday 23rd of July

I have been asked to circulate details for the following new event:
Edinburgh Racing is looking forward to launching the inaugural 'Scurry to the Sea' on Sunday the 23rd of July.

The distance is just under 12 miles and is a mixed terrain running race. After a short hilly start at Hillend its downhill all the way to the sea - a chance to take in some of Edinburgh’s finest views.

It you enjoy the 7 hills races and a bit of urban orienteering or you like the idea of a run from the Pentland skyline all the way to the sea then this is the run for you. We will transport you to the start line and you can then make your way passing a couple of check points downhill to the sea.
Registration is at the finishline by the Musselburgh Fisherrow harbour beach and buses will transport competitors to the startline at Hillend, Midlothian ski centre.

Over 16's only.
Entries have just opened through entry central:
Scurry to the Sea https://www.entrycentral.com/event/107066
The Edinburgh Racing team will look forward to welcoming you to the first 'Scurry to the Sea' event on Sunday the 23rd of July 2017!
Best Regards
Peter
Race Director
C/o The Edinburgh Racing Team

Andy heads south to Skiddaw Fell Race

Andy Cox completed the Skiddaw Fell Race on Sunday. The route is out and back from Keswick climbing the summit of Skiddaw which is the fourth highest mountain in England (how quaint!) and covers 15.4km with 961.6m ascent (9.6miles/3154ft).

The route was changed this year which includes the zig-zags  it’s now a “stick to the path” race route to reduce erosion so a new set of records was started this year. Andy was very competitive and finished in a time of 1:19:14, 16th out of field of 136 - well done.

Andy commented: "Felt a bit sluggish going up, and my feet on fire on the way down, great race tho, every one complaining about hot feet, think I may have 2 huge water blisters on the balls of the feet tomorrow oooch"

The race was won by Sam Stead of Keswick AC in 1:10:18. Full results here: http://keswickac.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/skiddaw2017.pdf

Scott goes continental!

Congratulations to Scott McDonald who won the M50 prize at Schienerberglauf, a 20km trail race with 450m ascent on the Swiss - German border, running strongly and finishing 5th overall in the fast time of 1:23:07. Scott's 100% record continues since becoming a Vet 50 with 3 out of 3!

He was rewarded with a basket of fish, cheese, eggs, bread, jam, carrots, peppers, courgette, an apple, cherries, gooseberries, noodles, and a cucumber!

 

Full results here

Calderglen Trail Races report

Kenny & Mhairi Davidson and Colin Williams took part on the Calderglen Trail Races on Friday night. It's Kenny's old club from before he moved back to Peebles. Mhairi was off first in the 5km and Colin and Kenny did the 10km. The race takes place in Calderglen Country Park on the edge of East Kilbride and is very picturesque and technically very challenging in places with lots of short steep descents and digs, and natural obstacles - roots, trees, puddles and rocks along with a big dose of steps thrown in.

Mhairi did very well completing the 5km in 24:29 as the 6th Female (and 1st and only Junior Female)

In the 10km Colin finished in 40:58 in 14th overall and 7th MVet, while Kenny clocked 43:41 and was 4th M50 (27th overall). Good sandwich and biscuit spread afterwards too! It was my (Colin's) first race in 3 months so felt good to give it a go.

Photos courtesy of Kenny Phillips



Hopefully Colgate will want to sponsor me now