Suggested by Bill, this was a new hill race for the Gran Prix. However, I think the 2 hour drive to south of Dumfries put many Harriers off and so only 5 intrepid harriers braved the mizzly weather and my driving: Rob, Mike, Chris, Stuart and Kirtsy.
New Abbey (start) is a nice wee village with a ruined (old?) Abbey and a nice little café. The race is 10.5 kms with 550m of climb. Details at this link:
http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceDetails.aspx?RaceID=RA-0020
Apparently this is a classic, but now in hindsight this is probably because it is a rather technical race due to the mud and a certainly a challenging race.
A fast start on a tarmacked single track road for about 1km, then a pleasant inclined track through conifer woodland. However, as the route gained height, the track got muddier and muddier and there followed about 1.5 kms of deep black peaty mud with hidden rocks and tussocks to the side. A torturous route – and that was going uphill when we were mostly walking. Thankfully, around ca. 300m, the path did dry a little but at the first peak (Knockendoch) we entered the cloud and there was a stiff westerly wind, so conditions were not ideal (no views of the Solway!). With misty glasses I stumbled up to the peak and back. On the downhill, although it was nice to be out of the cloud, we then had to navigate through the mud pit. This was hellish and was like losing your entire profile on your shoes – no control at all. It is amazing that no one twisted an ankle (or worse), although I did wack my knee on a rock and had my first bloodied knee ever in a race :-(. A pure joy to enter the woodland and race back along the dry track and road.
59 runners – winner came in at 56.06
Stuart Sanderson: 10th: 1:04:35
Mike Brooks: 15th: 1:07:35
Rob Wilson: 27th: 1:13:36
Chris Downie: 52nd: 1:29:17
Kirsty Loudon: 59th: 2:07:55
Hats off to Chris for jogging up to see Kirsty in. Stuart (+Lorna), Mike and I installed ourselves in the café and ate soup, coffee and cake and stayed nice and warm.
See you at Deuchary
Rob
Well done you guys, seen the photos , it looked gruelling. Wouldnae fancy walking up it never mind running , you are all mad !
Mike did say that the Victoria Sponge was the best he has ever had ! What about mine Mike !!
Welcome back Rob , always enjoy reading your reports.
some pictures here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/64932248@N04
New abbey is indeed a pretty wee place with a tea room, “apparently” great cakes. The guys went in there to have their cake and eat it after the race waiting for me to come in! Hear the Victoria sponge particularly good. I was so glad to see Chris, it was a joy to run..the wood and the road only easy bit could actually say running…I arrived back to prize giving, middle of the country lane to applause as interrupting proceedings. Had just handed out to winners so I got booby prize! Lovely bottle local beer, Knockendoch. Thank you. Shhhh didn’t tell Rob in case he nabbed it for driving us so beautifully : ) Chris and I then went into the river, it really is amazing how good very cold water feels on hot tired feet! Greenmantle and Criffel…
We scattered carnations for Elsie Baxter as she used to marshal here. I had pink ones carried in my wee bag! A beautiful tribute.
Mountain rescue and marshals so nice, stuck on hill in mist and wind and mud. Happy to add to their collection. Noticed from map, could have been spectacular view up Solway Firth but wasn’t! But I heard it in the grapevine Bill never saw a view trying to master Criffel. Now why does that make me feel better…?