Sunday morning, saw a glorious day in Melrose, for this year’s
Eildon 10 Miler.
A sharp blast up Eildon North, to Mid, to Easter – then down
to Bowden and on to St Cuthbert’s way – cutting though Newtown St Boswells and north
along the banks of the Tweed, crossing the A68 and back along the old railway
line to the Rhymer’s Stone and a fast blast down to the original start point –
opposite Priorswalk.
Simple….
Well - not quite…
A band of 118 set off on the initial climb up past Oakendean
House, where, a short distance ahead, a right hand turn is taken at the first
treeline to take runners up onto Eildon North.
However, the front half of the pack ran past this, seemingly
unmarshalled turn, and headed out on what would be the route for ‘The Melrose
Christmas Pudding Race’.
I am confused at this point – we are 300 meters past the
turn, heading over the top of the hill. I know it is wrong but follow the pack.
I begin to imagine that they have altered the course and perhaps I had been in
the loo when some major change had been announced. I am the only one who didn’t
get the message? I panic - thinking I have signed up for a different race or
somehow I have missed the last 10 months. I panic again. Not because it is a
different race but because I haven't yet bought any Christmas presents!
A marshal then shouts from lower down the hill. The front end
turns back and we all head down hill – hard work. Even harder for the group
that were leading.
There is then some very difficult bottlenecking due to all
the ‘faster’ runners now trying to pass - as the runners who were taking things
at a more leisurely pace - are now at the front. (They got the message to
divert up the first treeline) Those who
were in the lead are still passing others, half way up the first Eildon.
It’s a slippery slog
to the top but a good blast down to Eildon two and then a ride down the scree and
up to hill three. Not feeling too bad at this point and have a good run down to
Bowden – picking off 10 or so runners.
I pass my mate Luis from Lauderdale Limpers as he stops for a
drink at Bowden. He calls me something like ’a squeaky custard’ but, the wind
was blowing and perhaps I misheard him? He then gives chase.
 |
| Me and the Mr Molero (Pic courtesy of Rachel M) |
The St Cuthbert’s Way section is a good chance to stretch
out a bit and I manage to pass another couple of runners by St Boswells. I
reccied the course the week before and found a few ‘drier’ lines along the waterside - which prove beneficial
and I manage to make up another two places.
A tough final slog from the golf course over the A68 and up to the Rhymer’s Stone. I know I am close to my previous time and thrash down the final road
section passing another 3 runners – checking my watch as I go.
I don’t get a good look at my watch as cross the line as my
body has other priorities – I thought I had dipped under by 3 or 4 seconds but
the time given shows me 7 seconds over last years’ time.
And – 33rd – same as last year!
However, with the ‘additional section’ – this probably equates
to a 3 minute or more PB!
A good day out!
Results here https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=128554
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