A good Moorfoot's contingent made the short trip up to Penicuik on Saturday for the 37th staging of the Penicuik Harriers 10k road race.
Driving up the road from Peebles we passed the 6, 7 & 8K markers reminding us of the lovely downhill section - blocking out memories of the VERY hilly first few KMs & undulating course!
Arriving at the playing fields (a change of location from previous years at the High School) we were greeted with a smile by an army of Penicuik Harriers volunteers ready to tell you everything you needed to know - how to pick up your number or register on the day, where the toilets were, the race route, and importantly where the post-race cakes & coffee were!
The race started at 11am in glorious sunshine, along the same route as previous years, leaving the playing fields, and a gentle 1st KM through the streets - lulling you in to a false sense of security. Turning off the main road, you're then faced with the ascent of Pomathorn Road! It's one of those hills you can't quite see the top of as the road bends. Best just to put the head down & get in a nice pace for the KM slog up to the top. You are then rewarded with a nice downhill section into & around the houses of Howgate.
The stretch between the old Howgate Inn & the main road is lovely and quiet, on a nice flat road, shaded through the trees. You are rewarded with stunning views of the Pentland Hills in the distance and a water station marking the halfway point.
It's all downhill after that (or so you think!) - approaching town and the 9KM mark, the traffic is stopped, you're then guided across the main road & back into the houses with a cheeky wee sting in the tail. One more short uphill through the houses with lots of locals cheering you on - there's no chance to slow down or walk!
400m to go sign and you're nearly there ! returning to the field & the cheers of the marshalls & supporters, the finish line is a welcome relief :-)
A lovely wooden medal, banana & water - the perfect reward!
It was a good day out for the Moorfoots, with this race contributing to the Championship.
First Moorfooter home was Robbie, experiencing a very different vibe to the Paris marathon ;-)
Kevin & Martin were close finishing 43rd & 45th respectively.
I then followed in 50th (4th F & 3rd FV40), and along with team mates Pamella in 63rd (10th F) & Heather 73rd (13th F), we made up the First Female Team home (for which we were rewarded with some lovely Penicuik purple & white marshamallows & a wooden coaster).
Tim completed the Moorfoots squad coming in 106th place - just ahead of his race bib number 107 :-)
Full results are attached.
I think this is one of the best organised & friendliest local races. It's a challenging hilly course, so probably not a PB contender, but worth it for the views.
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