National XC Champs Report

 

Decent conditions greeted the fourteen Moorfoots who took on the National Cross-Country Championships at Callendar Park, Falkirk on Saturday with dry, breezy conditions and not too much of the pre-publicised glaur. And at the end of the day, five of the fourteen returned home with a medal. That’s a 36% medal success rate!

I say home although of course Scout Adkin is now based in the Lake District and is now coached by Scottish Hill Running’s HRH Angela Mudge. But her blood still runs red and blue and it’s the Moorfoot vest she dons when racing in Scotland. Having shown good form in several cross-country races over the winter, as well as on her more usual terrain in the hills, Scout was confident enough to set off from the gun mixing it with the Senior Women’s race favourite GB Internationalist and defending champion Mhairi Maclennan of Inverness Harriers, past winner Morag Millar of Central, and up-and-coming Holly Page of Edinburgh University. These four soon broke away on the first of three laps over the 10km course, establishing an early gap on the chasing pack of 264 other runners which included a second Moorfoot in Jennifer Misak.

 As they set off on lap 2, Maclennan started to pile on the pressure from the front and only Scout (now minus her discarded headband which was superbly caught left-handed by a watching specator!) could live with the pace as Millar and Page dropped back. But approaching half-way the leader’s relentless tempo had begun to tell, a 5-second gap opening up between her and Scout who held the same time advantage over Page and Millar. Throughout the third and final lap, Maclennan drew further and further clear as she headed for her third Nationals title, but Scout was maintaining a good grasp on 2^nd place, the gap back to third and fourth extending to 13 seconds with half a lap to go.

Over the closing stages, the experienced Millar got the better of the student Page and was in hot pursuit of the Moorfoot vest ahead, but the gap was too big and come the finish line, Scout took the silver medal with a comfortable 12-second cushion to spare, casually stopping her watch at 37.27 as if finishing a training run rather than her first ever National Cross-Country medal!

Jennifer Misak finished in 89^th place in a time of 46.49, comfortably inside the top 100 and only marginally over 10 minutes behind the winner. Solid stuff indeed.

Earlier in the day, Kieran Fulton ran a well-controlled race to take the bronze medal in the Under-15 Boys race. With all his training having been geared to racing over 800m indoors since his East District XC title success in early December, the 4.3km distance was expected to be a bit of a shock to the system, but Kieran paced his race well, sitting top ten early on, then moving into 6^th approaching half-way. The front two runners were out of sight but the gap to 3^rd was less than ten seconds as they climbed the last hill through the village of club tents with about 1500m to go and Kieran was working hard to reel in the bronze medal contenders. As they hit the far turn he was into 5^th and the gap was down to just 15 meters with his favoured distance of 800m remaining. From there he proved too strong for the others over the closing stages, taking the bronze medal in a time of 14.51 with four seconds to spare over 4^th place.

 Thomas Hilton, having missed several weeks of training with a broken wrist and damaged hip after falling off his bicycle early in January, ran superbly to finish 9^th in 15.16. And with Shaun Pyman and Luke Grieve placing well up the field of 138 runners in 44^th (16.42) and 57^th (17.03) respectively, that gave the Moorfoot team 113 points for the team bronze, a fantastic achievement for such a wee club.  Hats off too to our fifth runner James Moore who seemed to run with a permanent smile for 85^th in 17.47.

 First to race in the Moorfoot vest on the day was Nina McDowell in the Under-13 Girls race over 3.2km. Nina was having only her second cross-country race and she will still be in the same age-group next year.

The adrenaline must have been really pumping on the start line as she was right up there at the front of the cavalry charge in 2^nd place at the top of the first rise after 300m, with another 138 runners in her wake! Thereafter she settled into a good rhythm and crossed the line in 37^th place in a time of 14.25, all the better for the experience.

 Ruaridh Pearson was our sole representative in the U13 Boys race and he had a very solid run for 48^th out of 124 in a time of 13.25. And in the Under-15 Girls race over 4.3km, Elena Lee conquered some breathing issues to finish 42^nd in a field of 112 runners with a time of 18.51 and Ava Mooney dug in well for 60^th in 19.47. Our third runner Sabine Jefcoate had an issue with her timing chip but while she doesn’t appear in the provisional results, photographic evidence shows her to have finished 57^th in an estimated time of 19.33.

 

The Senior men’s race over the same three laps as the Senior women saw a mammoth field of 624 finishers. Just the two Moorfoots were in action. Milan Misak was 187^th in a time of 40.15 and Colin Williams 234th in 41.46. I’m afraid I don’t know the story of their runs ‘cos I was long gone by then!

But you can watch extended highlights of each race and play spot the Moorfoot vest on Vinco Sport at this link:

https://www.vincosport.com/videos/146505/

You will need to register with the site but doing so is free.

Chirnside Chasers Leg – Borders XC 2022

 

Pictured – L to R - Martin, Alan, Pete, Mike, Dean (in triumphant mood), Gillian, Freddie, Milan, Jen and Rosie. (Thanks to Mark for the pic)

This year’s Chirnside Chaser’s leg of the Borders XC series was replanted in the ground of the magnificent Duns Castle – more info - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duns_Castle

The course was an interesting one, with a mix of mud (sticky/slidey/clarty - all available on the day), potholes, puddles, tree vaulting and an interesting equestrian segment – complete with log jump and water feature. A little more testing than usual at 4.9 miles.

There was a good turnout of Senior Moorfoots, on what was a ‘blustery’ morning, who produced some excellent individual results. Jen was first lady back, followed by Carol and Rosie 30 seconds later.

First gent, recorded on finishing marshal’s iPhone, was Milan, coming in in 7^th and Nigel and Andy battling it out for 12^th and 13^th.

Team results-wise, the males are placed in 3^rd on the team scoreboard and the female team 2^nd on the day. It will be interesting to se how it all falls in to place after the final leg in Gala on 6^th March.

Well done to Chirnside – a well organised event with a bit of everything and buckets of encouragement from the marshals. Results here https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=268714

The post-run café search lead to ‘The Potting Shed’ in Duns - #refuelling

Gillian managed to ignore a delicious quiche to take the pic

Scottish Hill Running Calendar

 

Hi All

After a club meeting on Sat 5th Feb, I thought I'd post the 'calendar' from the Scottish Hill Runners Website. It may give you some ideas of runs you could take part in and start to generate some ideas for away days/weekend.

Hopefully of interest and, no doubt, some discussion will follow!

Scottish Hill Racing Calendar 2022

 

Fri, 11 Feb Potarch Night Race Potarch Inn, across the bridge over the River Dee from the A93 just east of Kincardine O’Neil. 8.0 200   Sat, 19 Feb Devils Burdens Relay Falkland, Fife 34.0 1250   Sun, 20 Feb Fetteresso Forest Marathon Fetteresso Forest, Aberdeenshire       Sat, 05 Mar Snow Running Glenshee Glenshee 12.0     Sun, 06 Mar Bishop Hill Portmoak Village Hall, Scotlandwell, Fife 4.0 300   Sat, 26 Mar Birnam Hill Classic Birnam, Dunkeld 6.5 335   Sun, 27 Mar Deuchary Hill Canter Birnam, Dunkeld 18.0 800   Sat, 02 Apr Screel Hill Race Palnackie, nr Castle Douglas 6.4 400   Sat, 09 Apr Clachnaben Hill Race Strachan, nr Banchory, South Deeside 14.0 750   Sat, 09 Apr British Championship - N Ireland Counter 2022 - Seven Sevens       Wed, 20 Apr Kaim Hill Race Fairlie, North Ayrshire 5.7 380   Wed, 20 Apr Newtyle Hill Race Registration at the field, up Brae Street 7.8 300   Thu, 21 Apr Scolty Hill Race Scolty Forest car park, nr. Banchory 7.2 400   Sat, 23 Apr Hunters Bog Trot Holyrood Park, Edinburgh 6.4 240   Sat, 23 Apr Two Mamores Hill Race Lower Falls, Glen Nevis. 13.0 1300   Sat, 23 Apr The Cobbler Hill Race Ardgartan, Arrochar G83 7AR 6.0 730   Wed, 27 Apr Beinn Dubh Luss 6.5 620   Sat, 30 Apr Stuc a`Chroin Strathyre, nr Callander 22.0 1500   Sun, 01 May Lomonds of Fife Junior Race Purin Hill, near Falkland       Wed, 04 May Whangie Whizz Queen`s View, nr Carbeth 6.8 240   Sat, 07 May Ben Lomond Rowardennan, Loch Lomond 12.0 970   Sat, 07 May Inter-Counties Fell Running Championship Llanberis, Wales       Sat, 07 May Cornalees Junior Hill Race Greenock Glenpark Harriers Clubhouse, Orangefield, Greenock PA15 1YX       Wed, 11 May Dumyat Hill Race Sports Centre, Stirling University 8.0 380   Sat, 14 May Normans Law Hill Race Luthrie Village Hall, Fife 8.0 210   Fri, 20 May Scottish Island Peaks Race Yacht Club, Oban 96.0 3660   Sat, 21 May Goatfell Brodick, Arran 13.0 880   Sun, 22 May Senior Home International         Wed, 25 May Kilpatricks Hill Race Old Kilpatrick, Sports Ground 10.0 430   Sat, 28 May Isle of Jura Craighouse, Jura 28.0 2370   Sat, 28 May Queensberry Hill Race Mitchelslacks Farm DG3 5 EN 13.0 732   Sat, 04 Jun Glas Tulaichean (uphill) Dalmunzie Hotel, Spittal of Glenshee 7.0 670   Sat, 04 Jun Trotternish Ridge Flodigarry 28.0 2000   Sun, 05 Jun Dunnydeer Hill Race Insch, Aberdeenshire 7.0 275   Sun, 05 Jun Saughhill Race Victory Park, Girvan, Ayrshire 4.5 270   Sun, 05 Jun Yetholm Hill Race Halterburn, nr Kirk Yetholm, Roxburghshire 12.8 760   Wed, 08 Jun Red Moss Kips Race Red Moss Car Park, near Balerno (NT 166639) 10.5 350   Sat, 11 Jun Traprain Law Race Memorial Park, School Road, East Linton 9.7 190   Wed, 15 Jun Turnhouse Hill Race Flotterstone car park, (A702). NT 234631 5.0 350   Sat, 18 Jun Falkland Hill Trail Race Falkland, Fife 6.5 360   Sat, 18 Jun British Championship - English Counter 2022 Buckden Pike       Sun, 19 Jun Seven Hills of Edinburgh Race Calton Hill, Edinburgh 22.4 670   Fri, 24 Jun White Tops Hill Race Kirkton of Auchterhouse Village Hall, Angus 10.4 364   Sat, 25 Jun Eagle Crag Hill Race Blarmachfoldach, Fort William 8.6 760   Sat, 25 Jun Drumtochty Games (Finella Hill Race) Drumtochty Castle, Auchenblae 8.0 300 BS Sat, 25 Jun Eildon 3 Hills Nearest postcode to start Melrose TD6 9HA 7.2 510   Sun, 26 Jun Lairig Ghru Race Braemar to Aviemore 43.0 640   Sun, 26 Jun International Youth Cup Sakuzzo, Italy       Wed, 29 Jun The Law Breaker Tillicoultry Glen Car Park 5.4 630   Fri, 01 Jul European Championship 2022 - La Palma, Spain       Sat, 02 Jul Clashmach Hill Race, Huntly Race start/finish: Huntly Auction Mart AB54 4QU 6.0 375 AS Sat, 02 Jul Durisdeer Hill Race Durisdeer, nr Thornhill, Dumfriesshire 16.0 1200   Sat, 02 Jul Meall an t-Suidhe - Graham Brooks Memorial New Town Park, Fort William 5.6 460   Sun, 03 Jul Half Nevis Race New Town Park, Fort William 10.0 670 AM Mon, 04 Jul Cow Hill Parade, Fort William 3.2 275   Wed, 06 Jul Maddy Moss Hill Race Car Park, Tillicoultry Glen 10.0 760 AM Sat, 09 Jul Alva Games Hill Race Johnston Park, Alva 1.6 400   Sat, 09 Jul David Shepherd Memorial Glamaig Hill Race Sligachan Hotel, Skye 7.0 760   Sun, 10 Jul Dollar Hill Race Dollar Academy 15.0 960   Wed, 13 Jul Cairn Table Run Cairn Table Car Park, Muirkirk, Ayrshire 8.0 360   Sat, 16 Jul Lee Pen Hill Race Victoria Park, Hall Street, Innerleithen, EH44 6QT 4.8 350   Sat, 16 Jul Tom na Bat Hill Race Public Park, Tomintoul 5.6 340 AS Sat, 16 Jul Snowdon International Race Llanberis, Wales 16.0 990   Sat, 16 Jul Meall a'Ghiuthais Kinlochewe   945 AS Sun, 17 Jul An Teallach Hill Race Dundonnell 10.6 1062   Thu, 21 Jul Mither Tap Bennachie Visitor Centre 6.4 365   Sun, 24 Jul Hartfell Horseshoe Race Moffat       Sat, 30 Jul Ben Rinnes Hill Race Highland Games showground, Dufftown 22.4 1500   Sat, 06 Aug Creag Dhubh Hill Race The Eilan, Newtonmore 7.0 370   Sun, 07 Aug Philiphaugh Hill Race Selkirk Rugby Club 11.0 400   Wed, 10 Aug Caerketton Hill Race Hillend Ski Slope, Edinburgh 3.5 300   Sat, 13 Aug Great Wilderness Challenge Poolewe 38.0 920 CL Sat, 13 Aug Cademuir Rollercoaster Peebles High School 6.0 274   Sat, 13 Aug Luss Lollipop   11.0 1100   Tue, 16 Aug The Stag To Hind Hill Race Stag Hotel, Moffat       Sat, 20 Aug Oldhamstocks Flower Show Race Oldhamstocks, East Lothian 6.5 200   Sat, 20 Aug Tap O`Noth Hill Race Rhynie, Aberdeenshire 7.6 370   Sun, 21 Aug Lomonds of Fife Hill Race Strathmiglo Village Hall 16.0 750   Sat, 27 Aug Ochil 2000s Gannochy Sports Centre, Stirling University 32.7 1650 AL Sat, 27 Aug Kong Mountain Marathon - The Scottish Mountain Marathon Arran       Sun, 28 Aug Baddinsgill Round Baddinsgill Farm, West Linton 16.4 650   Sat, 03 Sep Junior Home International 2022 - Ambleside       Sat, 03 Sep Devils Beef Tub Corehead Farm, nr Moffat 3.2 230   Sat, 03 Sep Ben Nevis Race New Town Park, Fort William 14.0 1340   Wed, 07 Sep Pentlands Downhill (The Doonhiller) Various locations in the Pentlands..... 2.0 -300   Sat, 10 Sep Suidhe Hill Race Kincraig village green, nr. Aviemore 5.0 250   Sun, 11 Sep Tom’s Cairn Trail Race Finzean, South Deeside 10.1 239   Sun, 11 Sep Merrick Hill Race Bruce`s Stone, Glentrool, nr Newton Stewart 13.6 1000   Sun, 11 Sep Creag Bheag Ardvonie Park, Kingussie 5.0 250   Sat, 17 Sep Cairn William Hill Race Monymusk, Inverurie 11.0 430   Sat, 17 Sep British Championship - Welsh Counter 2022 - Black Mountains       Sat, 24 Sep Two Breweries Hill Race Traquair House, Traquair 29.0 1500 AL Sun, 25 Sep Bennachie Hill Race Back O` Bennachie, Oyne, nr Inverurie 12.8 550 AM Sat, 01 Oct Yetholm Shepherds Show Race The Haugh, Yetholm 6.5 360   Sat, 01 Oct Morven Hill Race Near Dinnet, Aboyne 8.0 640   Sat, 08 Oct Manor Water Hill Race Croftlea, Kirkton Manor, near Peebles 16.0 700   Sat, 08 Oct Bennachie Hill Ultra Marathon Bennachie Visitors Centre 50.0 1525   Sun, 09 Oct Pentland Skyline Hill Race Near Midlothian Ski Centre, Hillend, Edinburgh 26.0 1890 AL Sat, 15 Oct British Fell Relay Championships 2022 - Broughton (Carnethy) TBC       Sat, 22 Oct Meall a`Bhuachaille Badaguish Outdoor Centre, Glenmore 13.0 720   Sun, 23 Oct Craig O Barns Polney Loch, Dunkeld 5.0 340   Sat, 05 Nov Tinto Hill Race Damn Delicious, Thankerton Camp Farm, Thankerton, Biggar, ML12 6PD 7.0 460   Sat, 17 Dec Cairnsmore Hill Race Muirfad farm,Palnure,Newton Stewart DG8 7BA 12.5 700   Mon, 26 Dec Cruim Leacainn Hill Race Tomacharich, Torlundy, Fort William 10.0 250 BM

Download a summary version of the 2020 Scottish Hill Runners Calendar