Greenmantle Dash 2023 – Race report (organisers perspective)

After a break of two years the Greenmantle Dash was on again and 109 runners and 17 junior runners from near and far enjoyed the short race packed with a bit of everything in bright sunshine and freezing temperatures. The worst of the flooding of the previous days had cleared, but the remainders meant for very wet and slippery conditions.

Well done to all the runners for braving the wall, the ice-cold river and the boggy field (and my nerves-induced broken English at the race briefing). Congratulations to Finn Lydon from Carnethy (15:57) and Morag McClelland from HBT (19:45) for their impressive wins. Special mention also to Sam Stephens from Doss AC (23:18) for the win of the Michael Greens trophy for his impressive downhill skills – having a great time dressed up as a banana. The trophy will be awarded every year now in memory of our friend, who we lost in 2022, to the runner who embodies Michael’s sense of fun and running spirit best.

Photo credit: Michael Philp

The post-race atmosphere in the Village Hall was great with lots of familiar and new faces, who warmed up with some soup and tea. Having organised the race for the first time – the day seemed to be a success (partly because of the amazing weather), apart from the minor catastrophe of the inaccessible beer keg (apologies for that!).

Results for the main race are available at the SHR website (https://www.scottishhillrunners.uk/RaceResults.aspx) and times for the fun run can be found at the end of this post. Watching the juniors conquering all the obstacles – most of them with big smiles – was a personal highlight for me and I can’t wait to see you at the Dash again next year.

Keep an eye out on “Michael Philp Photos” FB page (https://en-gb.facebook.com/michaelphilpphotos/), who captured the race with his outstanding photography skills.

The race would not be possible without my many helpers from Penicuik Harriers and local support – thanks to volunteers from Broughton and everyone who came to watch the race and to landowners for giving us the permission to run the race. We tried to stay local with our prizes, too (Broughton Village Shop, Claire Wilson Art; Broughton Ales), if you liked them – come back next year J. Thanks to Up and Running Edinburgh for sponsoring the bib numbers (runners get a 15% discount in the store).

Finally thanks to Dick Wall for allowing Penicuik Harriers to continue the race he has organised for the past 40 years!

Until next year (with hopefully the same glorious weather)!

Juliane