Moorfoots at Glen Rosa Horseshoe (Arran)

Johnny Hall and I went to Arran yesterday for the Glen Rosa Horseshoe race. The day was unpromising as we crossed on the ferry, with cloud down on the hills and rain threatening. But the cloud lifted and it gradually turned into a fine afternoon.Johnny continued his improving hill running with a very respectable 12th place in 3:25:26. I just managed to crack the 3 hr barrier with a 2:58:34 4th place, definitely my best long race yet. Stuart Whitlie of Carnethy won the race in 2:34:34 and Ellie Homewood was first woman home in 3:26:24.

Full results here: http://www.shr.uk.com/Home.aspx

These results put Johnny in 3rd and me in 8th in the Scottish Long Classics series:

http://chris-upson.com/LongClassics/2009/LongClassics2009_v5.htm

Cheers. Russell

Moorfoots at Edinburgh Seven Hills

James and Wull were the Moorfoot representatives at the the Edinburgh Seven Hills Race, which this year had a record entry of 330 runners.

James came home in 1:48 for 6th place and Wull was a couple of minutes back in 1:50 for 7th place.

Moorfoots at Eildon Hill Race

While Peebles was enjoying the climax of the Beltane week, Melrose was also having its red-letter day which included the Eildon Hill Race.

Six Moorfoots travelled down to the Greenyards to race up and down the twin peaks.

Mike McGovern found some good form taking third place in 32:22, with young Mark McLeod coming home in 35:06 for an excellent seventh place. Steve Martin's 36:15 (12th) was good enough to secure yet another team prize for the Moorfoots.

Elsewhere on the course, Julia was upsetting the men on the ascent with her strong running, but found the slippery descent less to her liking, returning back to the Greenyards in 40:42 (37th), with Alex Campbell close behind in 42:22 (41st).
Dave Wardman had another good run, breaking the 50min barrier with his 49:15 (63rd).

Full results here...

Moorfoots at Lauderdale Limpers Two Pubs Race

This was a great little mid-week race with a very successful format, where 84 runners participated across the full running spectrum of joggers to racers.

We registered in Lauder, and were then bussed up to Oxton for the start and the run back to Lauder over a 4.6 mile 'multi terrain' course (road, hill, railway, pavement)
Handicaps were allocated based on 10K times, and runners set off in reverse order (slowest to fastest).

Jock was first Moorfoot home on handicap in ninth position (39.12) with Dave not far behind in 35.87 for twelth place.

Miles further back, Mike and Kenny finished in 39th (28.20) and 32nd (29.21) respectively (both top 10 on scratch time..)

I calculated that I actually had to overtake 46 runners to get from my starting position (78th) to my finishing position (32nd) - likewise Mike, who started last, overtook 35 runners...

A good, fun, not too serious race format with a nice buffet and free drink at the end....I think we'll be back !

Weekend Roundup

There were other races taking place this weekend.....

Johnny was up at the Loch Lochy Munros Race, finishing in 3:07 and 38th place. Russell was at Durisdeer Hill Race - still no results published.

Up in Skye, Mick and Alan were doing the Skye Half Marathon, both completing the course in 1:39 and 1:44 respectively.

Earlier in the week, the Moorfoot 'Raiders' stormed the Biggar 10K and plundered a handful of prizes.

Drop me an email if you have any other results you want to add to the Blogger.....

The Beltane 10K - Runner Feedback

One of the advantages of the Runners' World Online Entry is that your entrants can give feedback and a rating of your race - OK if things go well !

This years race has been rated by a couple of folks so far - both saying they would do it again...which is always a good measure of success.

Here's a few excerpts:

"..Good, well organised race in a nice location. "

"..Very nice little race."

"..It was pretty hot, and definitely wasn't the pancake flat race I'd read about. But there were no killer hills, the scenery of the Moorfoot Hills all around was great, and the fact I actually ran a PB means it must be a fairly fast course!Nice to be a part of Peebles Beltane week too - always enjoy these community races where the local community turns out to support.Good organisation and very hospitable. I'd definitely do again.Real shame that it clashed with the Dechmont Law 10K and the Mabie Forest 10K, cos they're also great local races and I'd do them all if they were on different days. "

More ratings and feedback here..

The Portobello Running Club report here (this is a mega blog !!! lots of pictures !!)

FYI - Dechmont Law 10K Trail Race had 153 finishers and Mabie 10K Trail Race 115 finishers, so I think our 169 finishers (+ 12 pre-entry 'no-shows') was an oustanding turnout...

Moorfoot Runners Beltane 10K 2009

Pic - "...and they're off.!"..Steve Cairns leads out the 2009 Beltane 10K

The 2009 Moorfoot Runners' Beltane 10K proved to be a 'belter' with the sun shining on the field of 169 finishers in the senior race and ~30 in the junior race.

Steve Cairns of Hunter Bog Trotters won in a convincing 32'08" with Moorfoot runners making up the 2nd (James), 3rd (Wull), 4th (Darin) and 5th (Mike) places to take the team prize. First lady was Melanie Henderson (38'32") from Portobello Runners, who brought down a 'bus load' of runners to swell the ranks.

A big thanks needs to go to Dave Wardman and Mike Pearson who did a huge amount of the organisation behind the scenes, and also to the large band of volunteer marshalls from both within and outwith the club, without whom this race just could not take place.

A special mention too for Beltane Queen Rosie Bowick who did the presentation of the prizes, adding a nice touch to the proceedings.

Several runners commented on how much they enjoyed the race, how well everything was organised and how much they enjoyed their visit to Peebles....well done everyone !

More pictures available to view here...

Full results here...