What a month for the club as the madness of ultra racing season commences! Topping the list of achievements (quite literally with a total ascent of 7,218m) is Adam Gray who took part in the 215 mile Race Across Scotland, placing 3rd overall and 1st UK finisher in just under 63 hours and 32 minutes. To give some perspective to those not in the know, this race follows the Southern Upland Way which most people take 12-16 days to complete. An epic performance!
Close on Adam’s heels are our trio of ladies (Michelle Young, Tracy Philp and Edite Gailite) who placed 3rd, 4th and 5th in the Loch Ness 24 endurance trail race – a crazy event where you run as many miles as you can in 24 hours. All 3 ran over 75 miles with Michelle going over the 100 mile mark for her 3rd place. This achievement was made doubly hardcore due to the unkind weather which soaked everyone and everything but of course they all loved it – great work girls!
A few of our harriers also took part in the Devil o’ the Highlands ultra hill run, 42 miles of rain and midges which apparently is “conditions normal” for this race. It didn’t put Chris Burns off however, returning for his 5th go at this beast and also completing his 26th informal half marathon round Mendick Hill the week after – a gentle cool down?? Credit also goes to Angus Robertson who placed 4th in the Mhor Marathon, a beautiful but tough race route through the Trossachs National Park.
Going a bit off-piste, several of our club members decided to do a bit of cross training on a “social” 55mile cycle down towards Peebles and Biggar. Over 3 hours in the saddle, well done guys n gals but ouch!
If you are looking to join a lovely running community, come along to our regular weekly training sessions which from mid-September move to our winter locations. Tuesdays (speed sessions 7:15pm at the Biocampus loop in the Bush estate) and Thursdays (hill reps 7pm at Bellman’s Road, Penicuik). All sessions cover a wide range of pace/ability and qualified coaches and jog leaders are on hand for guidance. You are welcome to come along and try a session before you join, you will be made very welcome.
Please get in touch by email to secretary@penicuikharriers.org.uk to let us know you plan to come or for more information. You can also find our club website / Facebook page by searching “Penicuik Harriers”.
Correction to the above, please note that Bellman’s sessions have still to be confirmed but current proposals are a 6.30pm start with sessions alternating between Hills one week and social/tempo runs the following. Watch out for the winter training programme being posted on the club training webpage soon.