SHR Scottish Championships at Clachnaben

Russell Anderson and Johnny Hall travelled north for the first race in the SHR Scottish Championships at Clachnaben,on Saturday.

Johnny's report is below:

I've been out of action for most of the last 3 weeks with flu and then food poisoning but I was well enough to give the race a go. Hopefully, I've kicked my system into touch now with this very demanding race. For most of it though, I was wondering what I was thinking.Clachnaben is very, very tough. It's only 10.5 miles and about 1100m of ascent but the ground is very rough - deep heather, boggy tracks, steep climbs and descents. I was going ok until the summit of Clachnaben, which is probably about halfway round but the descent off the back broke me in two and I couldn't recover - my legs weren't strong enough. I think I lost about 20 places and a boat load of time in the second half of the race.Russell fared a lot better than I did, although he too suffered on the descents. Russell raced round in 1:45:12 and 45th place, whilst I trailed round in 2:01:56 and an ignominious 91st. Not what I'd hope for but in the circumstances, it could have been worse.

More details on Johnny's personal blog

Moorfoots at Allendale Challenge Northumberland

Colin Williams was recently pounding the hills in Northumberland, taking on the Allendale Challenge (26 miles, 1000m ascent)

I had a good run took 4hrs10 – I think it is a full 26 miles and 1000m of ascent as I finished with a bloke had a magic measuring watch. Mainly good trails and tracks, but a 5 mile section in the middle across open moorland and peat bog. It was a field of about 80 (mainly local) runners and I finished 7th . I faded in the last 5 miles so good training for Edinburgh marathon, and I know where to try to improve. I did a "Mike McGovern" and took a wrong turn which cost me a minute or two, and I finished was less than a minute off 5th place!

Cheers,

Colin

Moorfoots at Dunbar 10K Boundary Race

Five Moorfoots made the trip through to Dundar for the Belhaven Best Dunbar 10K Boundary Race. The weather looked a bit threatening as we arrived but almost on cue, the clouds cleared and the sun came out, but the breezy conditions remained - the two wind turbines behind the all-weather pitches at Race HQ more than earning their keep....

On a twisting and turning course, Wull Hynd led the Moorfoots home in 35'31", to take the Male Vet prize and fourth place over-all. Darin Dougal was close behind in 35'52" for fifth place, and Mike 'I don't run very well in the mornings' McGovern a bit off his usual pace at 37'10". No team prize today....Dunbar's 1st 7th 9th placing taking the honours.

Kenny Davidson held off some late challengers for a 39'54" and Chris Blackwood finished strongly to dip under the 40 minute mark with a 39'57".

A well organised and friendly event, this is certainly a recommended race - all finishers receiving a 'tinnie' of the sponsors finest ale.

Provisional results here

Scottish Hill Runners Championship Races

Clachnaben Race Sat 11 April, Strachan, South Deeside, Aberdeenshire

Anyone else interested in doing this race?
It's the first of the six counters for the Scottish Hill Runners Championship. Distance 10.5 miles, ascent 3,500 ft, category A Medium.

I'm going and would happily give or take a lift.
I'll can be contacted on mobile (0776 1290211).

I'm hoping to do all six of the SHR championship races so could give or take lifts to any others.

Cheers,
Russell

Training & Race Details - April09

**UPDATED***
Note the change to 5:30pm start time for the period commencing 14-April

Aprils training and race details below.
Note the Moorfoot trail race on Sunday26th April so no club training that day as we'll all be 'huffing and puffing' up a big hill somewhere and then eating flapjacks afterwards.
I've listed a couple of races that I know Moorfooties are planning to go to, and don't forget that Sunday 12th April is Easter Sunday.....

Not on this list yet but worth highlighting is that the Three Bridges Race is Sunday 3-May, so another date to get into your diary - if you're not running it, it would be good to see you out cheering on the 'blue & red' shorts (and vests...:>)

Tues 31-Mar Innerleithen (Hall St) 5:00pm Intervals & Speed Work

Thrs 2-Apr Innerleithen (Hall St) 5:00pm Intervals & Speed Work

Sat 4-April - Dunbar 10K Boundary Race 11:00am
Sun 5-Apr Peebles Gytes 10:00am Long steady run (1hr +)

Tues 7-Apr Innerleithen (Hall St) 5:00pm Intervals & Speed Work

Thrs 9-Apr Innerleithen (Hall St) 5:00pm Intervals & Speed Work

Sun 12-Apr Cardrona (Village Hall) 10:00am Long steady run (1hr +) ** Easter Sunday **

Tues 14-Apr Innerleithen (Hall St) 5:30pm Intervals & Speed Work

Thrs 16-Apr Innerleithen (Hall St) 5:30pm Intervals & Speed Work

Sun 19-Apr Innerleithen (Hall St) 10:00am Long steady run (1hr +)
Also Gala Harriers 10K 11:00am

Tues 21-Apr Innerleithen (Hall St) 5:30pm Intervals & Speed Work

Thrs 23-Apr Innerleithen (Hall St) 5:30pm Intervals & Speed Work

Sun 26-Apr Moorfoot Trail Race (Glentress) - more details to follow...

Tues 30-Apr Innerleithen (Hall St) 5:30pm Intervals & Speed Work

Five Sundays in a Month....

A bit of confusion in March with five Sundays appearing in the calendar and no clear understanding of where we meet on the fifth Sunday...it was left as a TBC....

Some people took it as a rest weekend, others did there own thing on the Saturday and did we have anyone at Grangemouth for the 'Round the Houses 10K'..?

So, apologies - next month with five Sundays is May (the fifth Sunday is 31-May), so we'll ensure we get it right for then....

Carnethy5 on BBC Adventure Show - Sunday 5-April

The Carnethy5 Hill Race from February this year, featuring Mike McGovern, Russell Anderson, Wull Hynd and other Moorfooties, was covered by the BBC Adventure show and now confirmed to be broadcast on Sunday 5-April (BBC2 6:30pm)

Set your Sky boxes, VCRs or book your viewing slot with the family...(fortunately the 'Strictly Come Dancing' season is over, so I may have an outside chance of watching it in my house...)


More details on BBC website