Moorfoot Boxing Day Runs

The annual Moorfoot Boxing Day Runs will be on again this year (in the event of dodgy weather, check for updates on Boxing Day morning on the Moorfoot Facebook group)

Our three course Menu offers....

Run to the Mast
Seven and a bit-ish hill run up to Dunslair Heights at a sociable pace (90mins-ish) - regular stops to regroup - and back to the Glentress Peel Café for coffee/cake/a blether

 
Meet at Gytes Leisure Centre Peebles 9:45am for a sharp 10.00 start.
Dress accordingly for a slowish run with stops - it is often snowing on the tops - December in the hills - all runners being suitably dressed for running in the hills in winter; full body cover (inc hat and gloves) and backup warm fleece/insulated jacket in a bum bag or small back pack - you have been warned...
Should be back down at the Peel café for 11.30ish...


Handicap Fun Run

While the seniors slog up to the mast on Boxing Day, all juniors (under 9s accompanied), plus Mums and Dads looking to run off some over-indulgence, or anyone too late/not up for the mast run, are all invited to take part in a c.2mile handicap fun run on the foot/cycle/horse path Peebles to Glentress where we will meet up with the seniors in the Peel café for coffee/juice and cake(s) at about 11.30am.

Meet at the entrance to the old Hydro stables at the foot of Janet’s Brae ready for an 11am start, setting off at intervals, slowest first, fastest last. The finish is just before the main road opposite Glentress (with a couple of adults there to help with crossing the road.) The route can be found here http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6766898

Rule No.1 - Handicapper Gregor has the final say. Rule No.2 - Handicapper Gregor has the final say. Rule No.3 - don’t forget to turn left for the finishing stretch towards Glentress, otherwise you will end up in Cardrona. Rule No.4 - Organise your lift back (or you may be running back on your own). Rule No.5 - Handicapper Gregor has the final say.

Much sought after prizes on offer! Spare clothing etc can be left in Gregor’s car to be transported to the finish.

Pure Banter

For those who don't fancy the 'run' bit, just meet up at the Peel café for 1130 and join in the blethering bit...all welcome...

Moorfoot Festive Handicap, Innerleithen - Sunday 22nd Dec, 10am

I am organising a Festive Handicap in the woods behind my house in Innerleithen for Moorfoots and friends - with the aim is to be a bit of fun. Meet at 10am First start at 10.05am on Sunday 22nd Dec, starting near the Cuddy Bridge off Leithen Road here
Our house is Burnside 52 Leithen Road immediately south of the bridge

The start will be just by the Cuddy Bridge. There will be a choice of routes.
A longer route will be about 5 miles / 8km with a 300m climb, almost all in the first 2 miles (one of those surely it can't get steeper climb which then does!).

A 2 ¼ miles / 3 ½ km suitable for juniors and those who simply fancy a shorter route - the proposed route is shown below.

The routes are a mix of trail and forest road but it will be muddy and uneven in places - be prepared to get wet feet!

Please let me know if you are planning to attend so I can try to work out handicaps. Also I could do with a marshal or two if you are not up for a run, but can get by without as I will mark the route.

Hope to see you there, Mince pies and refreshments will be served afterwards in our conservatory after but it isn't heated so bring a warm coat! 

Be aware if serious winter conditions occur then we may have to cancel but I will communicate that via email/facebook although the long range forecast suggests it will be OK.

Report from last year can be found here: https://moorfootrunners.blogspot.com/2019/01/round-up-of-senior-moorfoot-socials.html

ho, ho, ho

Colin

email - colin.m.williams@talk21.com

Burnside, 52 Leithen Road

Innerleithen EH44 6HY

Weekend Round up 7/8 Dec - Goat Ultra and Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill 10km

some excellent performances this weekend

 

Andrew Dancer was in the Cheviots for The Montane Cheviot Goat Winter Ultra on Saturday. This is what the wesbite says:

It will test even the most experienced ultra runner. 55 miles of the harshest winter trails, 9500 ft of lung-bursting ascent including the highest summit, The Cheviot, standing at 2,674 ft. Throw into the mix the unpredictable Northumberland weather that includes everything from deep snow, ice, gale force winds and torrential rain and you’ll be tested physically and mentally. Non-waymarked and unsupported with a start time of 6am in the Northumbrian village of Ingram, the Montane Cheviot Goat promises to be a challenge like no other. 

Andrew had a cracking run commenting:

9th place. So chuffed. Absolutely brutal conditions underfoot across bogs and moors. Great end to the year 

Results https://live.opentracking.co.uk/cheviotgoat19/

Meanwhile on Sunday Craig Henrys was at the Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill Trail 10km in Edinburgh http://scurryevents.co.uk/hermitage-of-braid-blackford-2019/

Craig said:
a good run. I finished 40th overall and did it in 55mins 55secs despite losing my shoe briefly in the mud. Would definitely like to do again in spring as it’s a lovely area

 Results here

 

Christmas meal and award for outstanding achievement

The Club Trophy is awarded each year for outstanding performance as judged by the Committee.

Reviewing the blog posts for year it soon become clear that members have had a really good year all round and lots of fun being for everyone.

The Trophy was awarded at the annual Christmas meal at the Glentress hotel on Tuesday night 

Award shortlist

Newby Notable mentions	Brian Smith 5th Muckletoon trail half
Pluggin’ away Award	Robert Wilson 1st Vet Arisaig Marathon 4hrs
Still got it Award	Paul Nichol 55-59 class – 3:28 Yorkshire Marathon 3:31:38 London Marathon, 1:30.39 Scottish Half
Humble Award	Lucy Colquhoun – female winner Tweed Valley Tunnel run & Howgill 26 – (6th overall), and probably many more besides I don’t know aas
Best blog write-up/ the getting lost in the mist detouring for miles and ending up in an OAPs croft and treated to tea and snack and a lift while others were getting rather worried Award	Alan Elder – for Trotternish and Carnethy 5 blog posts  (also continued improvement Alan took 54 mins off his Stuc a Chroin time from 2016)
So good they really don’t need another award Award	The champion Adkin siblings
Scared Kilian off Award	Oli Jepsen – amazing 9th at Glencoe Skyline
Backing it up Award	Last year’s winner Amy Alcorn - 1st Kelso 10km, 1st Castle and Falls Trail race Yorkshire 18 miles 4th Deerstalker (if not higher due to dodgy results) new PB 3h26 Edinburgh Marathon,
Hill Billy Award	Andy Cox - top ten Goatfell, Ben Lomond, 4th Eildons - PB placing, 2nd Philiphaugh, 4th KOMs (Snowdon, Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike races series)
Biggest Improver Award	Simon Hammond – first Moorfoot at Deerstalker (5th overall) and Tiree Ultra (5th overall), Two Breweries, and Feel the Burns, Glentress Trail half Feb
Dedicated trainer Award	Alex Campbell trains with Moorfoots and Gala Harriers in the same week! (also 2nd F at Devilsfoot Trail half marathon Lauder > Melrose)
Ultra +++ Award	Ross Grieve – 2nd M50 silver in the Highland Fling 53 mile Ultra Trail Marathon which doubles as the Scottish Ultra Trail Championship, 5th Hardmoors 110 mile Ultramarathon almost 26hrs (ending 6lbs lighter), CCC 100km Alps – top quarter of the field, 3rd M50 Jedburgh Three Peaks Ultra
Help an injured person and then get proper bashed up yourself and reunite in the Mountain Rescue Land Rover Award	Dave Gaffney at Goatfell
Generally all round impressive Award	Gillian Carr 1st Tiree half, 1st Wobbly Bridge,1st Moffat Gala run, 2nd F40 Gypsy Glen
Wheelchair to Ultra Award	Richard Edge completed his first ultra almost 12 years to the day since suffering a  haemorrhage (also solid 3:28 at London)
Night runner Award	Mike McGovern – for Glentress night 10k overall win as M50 (also Trimontium XI 3rd + 1st M40, 2nd Esk Scurry 10 mile, 3rd Oxton two pubs, 3rd Wobbly bridge)
The club cup for Outstanding Performance	Kenny Davidson for Kielder Night Marathon in March finished 6th overall clocking 3:24:32 for the 26.5 mile course with an elevation of 1,700ft and run at night on trails - Kenny won the M50 prize by a huge margin, and knocking the best part of half an hour off the M50 course record in the process (also M50 winner for Glentress Trail half Feb, 2nd M50 Lairig Ghru in June)

Kenny with his trophy along with some of the shortlist

Border XC Series - Peebles Leg Sunday 15-December

Course/route update 2019
Juniors 1130, Seniors 1200

Jun

Junior course (2 laps, suitable for spikes)

Peebles car parking for Borders XC

Borders XC 2019/20 Race 3 report - Berwick Spittal Beach

Dean Carr's report from round 3

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside !!!.

Although a lovely sunny day it was sub zero temps as the runners headed of across the frozen sands of Spittal beach on sunday.  It was a really gruelling first mile along the beach before a sharp climb up on onto the headland and more familiar cross country territory.  However the grass and mud were frozen hard on the out and back course.  The low sun in the eyes made it tricky going with lots of ice boulders and frozen water to avoid.  The final mile back along the beach was one of the toughest miles I can remember.  I dont think us hill runners like the sand and sea level running much !!!!.

It was a short race, but a beautiful day on the coast.  Great runs from Darin, Ian, Mike and Gillian who is still top of the FV40 standings.

Results:https://www.webscorer.com/bordersxc

Ian Munro

Mike Pearson

Gillian Carr

Dean Carr

Darin Dougal

Photos: https://www.facebook.com/neil.stalker1/media_set?set=a.10218992004243906&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/groups/309015429284086/photos/