We had to register quick with this one, luckily Sadie had made a note of the opening date and reminded me when it opened which is just as well as 900 places went in a matter of hours, the Friday 13th race date not putting anyone off. It was a lovely evening as we made our way to Fife for this Friday night race with an 8pm start time. The race itself starts in the village of Kinghorn and the whole village seemed to be full of either club running vests or fluorescent yellow jackets, this was a well marshalled race!

The race started at the bottom of a hill under the railway line and it was a bit of a jumble as 900 runners made their way down to the start line and shuffle past each other to line up behind the start line. The race started and we had a sharp uphill start which was followed by a gentle rolling road through the villiage down towards the all important beach, the locals were all out in their gardens, drinking wine and beer, having bbq’s and cheering us on.

We hit the beach and then it felt like the real race had started, the Black Rock is a huge rock out in the sea which is normally surrounded by water and is only accessible at low tide, hence the 8pm start time. The sand was still wet from the tide going out and the rock seemed a long way away. I was a bit worried about running in the sand as my previous beach runs have been hard but the wet sand made the going a bit easier. It was a tremendous sight seeing the snake of runners in front of me stretching the miles across the beach. The view of the sea and over to Edinburgh in the evening light was pretty special too. As in most of my races lately I seemed to have a steady flow of runners passing me, but I kept my head down and feet moving. As we neared the Black Rock the sound of bag pipes could be heard and I looked up to see a piper standing on top of the rock playing. I thought it looked fantastic and evidently so did Sadie as she managed to photograph him while running!

We splashed round the rock calf deep in seawater and then back onto the sand for the homeward stretch, as we got close to the shoreline there were lots of little kids running around looking for high fives (although I am sure the lead runners don’t get as many running alongside them) then back on the same route but the gentle rolling downhill has now turned into an upward push, as we hit the final downhill to the start line I knew to keep something in the tank as I had read there was an uphill at the end as the finish line is just beyond the original starting point. I was glad I had, as we hit the bottom of the hill there was a sharp left them, under the railway line and a very sharp lungbusting uphill with the finish line at the top.

My hill training seems to have paid off as I pushed hard up the hill and passed more people in that final stretch than I had the rest of the race. We were rewarded with a bottle of water, a banana and the all important bottle of beer! Sadie and I had an early start the next morning (more of that to come shortly!) But there was a bit of a beer festival going on after the race and a lot of clubs seemed to have come in minibuses to take full advantage! Harriers minibus and designated driver next year?

This was a great race with a fantastic atmosphere and one I would recommend!

Results:
Sadie Kemp – 36.21
Gilly Marshall – 43.02

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A nice race starting and finishing at Neilson Park on the same day as their festival so there was lots happening in the park and a very nice gala day atmosphere. The weather was nice and sunny but started to cloud over and there was a little drizzle but nothing too bad despite the bad weather warning. The course is run in the roads surrounding Haddington with only 1 appreciable uphill and a similar route to the Haddington half later in the year. A medal at the end and some apple juice for me and a sweety for Michael. I was only a couple of seconds off my PB for a 10K so was quite pleased with that. Results are below:

Sadie Kemp 47.16 Position 79 Gender position 15 Cat Position 6
Michael Greens 51.00 Position 100 Gender Position 80 Cat Position 5
Lori McCrae 51.15 Position 104 Gender Position 21 Cat Position 10

1.06.2014 – sunny, warm, minimal breeze. Always good weather in Yetholm!!

http://penicuikharriers.org.uk/2013/06/03/yetholm-hill-race/

Despite a 1.5 hr drive, this is one of the better mid-distance races on the calendar as far as I am concerned and is well worth the drive. We left the grey cloudy weather of Midlothian and entered the sunny south-east of Scottish border region.

Stuart, Mike and I ran Yetholm last year when it was part of the British Championship (231 runners). This year however, it was a much more relaxed affair with only 37 participants. We were joined by Mark and Kirsty. As per advice from Melanie, I had bought some new hill shoes as the bevelled heels of the INOV8 300s appeared to be a possible factor in my calf problems. So, with Paolo Nutini ringing in my ears, I was all set:

 “Hey, I put some new shoes on, and suddenly everything is right,”

Yetholm is a ca. 12.5 km loop on the Scottish/English border with about 750m of climb.

Yetholm Hill Race Route

This year the course went clockwise (the harder way around) as opposed to last year’s more normal anti-clockwise easier option. This meant that times would likely be a tad slower.

The first half follows the final stage of the Pennine Way with a well marked path. However, it is a gradual climb, so is annoyingly runnable in a rather exhausting way. Last year running down this eastern side of the loop was fabulous. However, this time the return trip was down the western side loop which is much rougher and much more undulating.

Yetholm Hill Race Profile

A slow start by most runners except for “dummkopf” moi where I found myself not only in first place but stayed so (with Stuart, I think, shouting encouragement) for much longer than was probably wise. After about half a kilometre the universe righted itself and the proper lead runners passed me and cruised on by – all probably thinking, “idiot!”. Stuart and Mike soon followed. Once my legs forgave me for my quick start, I started to get into a rhythm and concentrated on keeping Mike in sight who was hovering between 50-100 meters ahead of me.

It took about 40 minutes of steady climb to get to the high point (The Curr) which is roughly the half way point. Apparently the views were lovely, but all I saw was Mike’s back end just ahead. The descent of The Curr is steep and rough and Mike was just in front of me and I was determined to keep up with him. Despite a tumble half way down (with appropriate screaming to try and get some sympathy from him – none came!), I managed to keep up with him. On the immediate steep upslope, I passed Mike who was making rather strange grunting noises. Having never beaten him in a race (although we have had some battles) I knew it would be tough to stay ahead. The next 4kms, although on average a descent, undulates between steep ascents and descents. Hard to get a rhythm. I focussed on the runner ahead in the distance and tried to think about catching him rather than worrying about Mike behind. This section seemed endless and I was happy to have brought a small water bottle with me as it was getting quite warm.

At the top of the last peak, I looked back – Mike was surprisingly far behind – could I actually beat him for once? Possible. The final descent was marked with a Saltire flag – with no time to think about yes/no votes, I plunged down the steep slope worrying that Mike might make a final push. A last mad dash through thistly scrub, over a cow hooved rutted field, through a small woodland and the final stumble across the finish line. Stuart shouting, “where’s Mike?”. I grinned and pointed back.

So – this has been all about me, but the real success story was Stuart. Last year, Yetholm had been his first race for almost 4 years after injury. This year he was back in top form. Of the 5 Harriers running, our places and times were:

Stuart Sanderson (6th):  1:19:10                (last year: 1:23:04)

Rob Wilson (16th): 1:27:30                         (last year: 1:27:14)

Mike Brooks (17th): 1:28:38                        (last year: 1:22:51)

Mark Dawson (31st): 1:52:36

Kirsty Loudon (37th): 2:47:15

A final thank you to the race organiser Les Turnbull who kindly brought Kirsty to the pub in Kirk Yetholm as we had buggered off to “sup up” in the beer garden there. In Kirsty’s own words:

What an amazing weekend ! Started off with dinner on Friday night with a dozen or so of my fellow AYE Club members at the Roamin’ Nose (Eyre Place). Sadly, I was late and missed speeches but still enjoyed great company, good atmosphere and delicious food. Fascinating chat with our guest of honour, Neil Kilgour (EM Race Director), on the technicalities of race course design.

Saturday took in final kit preparation and a move from West Linton down to my race base camp on the prom at Joppa (aka my mothers house). This has been a bit of a tradition and I always love being beside the sea though I have to say that things always look very wild on the beach at 6 in the morning on race day.

The day itself started with AYE Club pre-race photo-shoot. Some bright spark had the idea of doing it on top of Calton Hill – it was so dreich that it could have been anywhere but great to see a number of folk able to make it for the photographer.

And so to the race itself. Well firstly, the Met Office forecast I looked at showed heavy rain for most of the day. Okay, so it was a wet start but by the time the race started, the rain had stopped. There was a fresh breeze all the way, no rain and even a fair amount of sun – near perfect. And as for my run, well it’s taken me a fair few years to realise that ones chances of success climb dramatically the more one gets to know oneself. In other words, if you are naturally not fast and have done little training, run slow and steady and you will get there – eventually! Most years, I feel as if I have done about two thirds of the training I should have done. This year was definitely down to a third. Still, I did make it to the finish line, stress free and delighted to be wearing my Penicuik Harriers shirt. I also met Susie M, not once but twice en route – fantastic support – how lucky am I? Marathon number 15 in the bag !

Congratulations to all the fellow EM runners from various running groups – the AYE Club, Penicuik Harriers and West Linton.

Finally, all this means that not only am I still in the AYE Club but I am now President of the Club – hurrah! Results are still provisional but we were 32 in number last year and it looks like we may only be two down.

The future? Just about to enter next years EM but just as importantly, the training will now move up a gear or two and onto the hills – looking forward to a calendar with ultras in it again in 2015 !

We would like to say a huge thank you to the runners of our Penicuik 10k who helped us raise £237.92 for the Marie Curie Hospice in Fairmilehead, Edinburgh. We have recieved a lovely thank you from then for using our ‘Run & Cakes’ to support their very good cause.

There was a good turnout of Harriers at the recent Gypsy Glen Hill Race in Peebles, it was the first time I had done this race but really enjoyed it.  We started at Victoria Park, a quick loop of the park, along some roads, that all looked vaguely familiar – I am sure I have walked this way before!  Then we headed into Gypsy Glen and up the hill to the drovers path.  The route took us through a closed gate which I was unable to open (dope!)  I was panicking a bit as I was already really far back and was getting further the longer I faffed with the gate, so clambered over the gate and kept running.  I could still see Rachel’s ponytail bobbing up ahead in front of me so put a bit of a push on to try and reduce the distance between us and nearly got wiped out by 3 mountain bikers coming down the hill at breakneck speed.  A bit further up and another gate, thankfully this time propped open and the lead runners were heading back down the hill all thundering feet and flailing arms.  An encouraging shout and wave from Stuart and Mike as they passed me.  I am sure the view at the top was stunning, but I was too busy trying to close the gap that had stretched out between me and Rachel and her mum.  Sarah had come to the top with her dog to cheer us on – always nice to see a smiling face where it is not expected and then it was the downhill push, managed to work the catch on the gate on this time and kept running, legs were a bit wobby as we hit the tarmac and small inclines at the end but then back into the park and the finish where the rest of the Harriers were patiently waiting. A few spot prizes including locally brewed beer was on offer, but I missed out – next time!

Results as follows:-

59 runners

11^th Stuart Sanderson – 36.24

14^th Mike Brooks – 38.13

21^st Rob Wilson – 40.53

26^th Alan Thornburrow – 42.29

30^th Gillian Cairns – 43.28

39^th Mark Dawson – 46.06

44^th Rachel Campbell  – 46.44

45^th Chris Downie – 47.16

47^th Sadie Kemp – 47.59

55^th Rachel McGavin –  56.00

57^th Gilly Marshall – 57.19

58^th Kirsty Loudon –  65.54

Thanks to all who took part in today’s 10k Road Race – seems like another successful year. Well done to everyone – runners, marshals, supporters and everybody who gave up their time to make it happen. We can only apologise for the slightly damp weather – there’s only so much organising we can do!

Results for the 2014 race can be found here

Category winners can be found here

Update: Results have been scrutinised and an issue with a inadvertent ‘rogue’ runner who finished without a number has now been resolved – unfortunately if your time was > 43m 19s you previously had the time of the person in front. This has now been fixed.

Update: We’ve put some photos online and some video of the race is now online too (or see embedded version below).

Update: As usual, some fantastic photos now online from Bob Marshall – thanks again Bob!

See you all next year for what must surely be a drier event…

Susie, Race Organiser

2014 Race Start and Finish:

2014 Race Prize Giving:

Having spent last weekend in the Lakes as one of 100 runners shortlisted to join Berghaus and TORQ’S trail running team I was feeling rather optimistic about my abilities again after a long period of funk following a spell of injuries.

I had the pleasure of running down Helvellyn with Steve Birkinshaw that day who is about to embark on running all 214 Lakeland Wainwrights in under 10 days. A great down to earth guy juggling work, family etc too.

It was that false sense of security that helped get me to the start line at Stuc ‘a Chroin on Saturday. Myself and fellow Harrier Alasdair Hind enjoyed the journey up, got registered and waited for the off.

I kept reminding myself of the last couple of race reports from Rob and Duncan and praying it wasn’t quite that tough. Fool, there were 100% spot on!

In no time at all I found myself on the muddy descent into Glen Ample and, just like Rob and Duncan, knew I would be returning that way. Then came the massive slog up. This was more of a scramble for an inexperienced hill runner like me (Carnethy being my first one in Feb) and I don’t mind saying it scared the unmentionables out of me a couple of times as it was that steep.

Things improved once I hit the summit of Beinn Each, my first Corbett. Enjoying it a bit more now it was long walk / run from there across a ridge to Stuc. I was now firmly at the back of the pack but not really fussy about that.

Chuffed to have bagged my first Munro I started the descent and got chatting to a nice chap from Helm Hill Runners about classic Lakeland Races and generally keeping moving forward.

We motivated each other to keep at it all the way down. After a very long hard slog up I was really enjoying the descent but had found eating and drinking hard on the way up as I needed my wits about me. I felt the effects of that later on as we plunged back into Glen Ample.

Now there was just nothing left in me to climb back out but there wasn’t a plan B so head down and counted to 100 repeatedly to occupy my mind from screaming chuck it in. Thank you Paula Radcliffe 😉

More of the same continued along with horrible cramp which I’ve not really had much of before.

Fast forward and I ended up crossing the line in about 4:15 putting me in the very last dribs and drabs of finishers. Ach well, a good day out, some firsts achieved and I earned my tee shirt. Alasdair fared better around 45 mins before me, good on you!

A couple of reflections, train more, eat and drink more! Due to work and family I have only been getting out once a week for an hour or so which is not enough. Its been months since I put in a 4hr plus shift. I would also definitely have taken more food and drink on had I known how I would feel later. Should know better but sometimes you forget the hard way.

Its taken me a couple of days to answer a question from a marshall on the summit of Stuc…would I do it again? Yes, but with the respect it deserves!

Worth a wee note to say the organisation and support was brilliant. Route flagged all the way and you really could not go wrong. There were marshalls all the way and a ready supply of jelly babies and water. Big thanks to the Strathyre community for that and two helpings of much needed soup at the finish!

Thank you so much Penicuik Harriers for our places in the London Marathon – we all LOVED it!!!
The whole experience was incredible with unbelievable support from the crowds and because we all had our names on our charity vests we got lots of personal shouts. We have raised thousands for charity and had a great time too, we’re all so pleased that our training has paid off. My Garmin recorded my route as 26.9miles, Carl was right, there was no chance of sticking to any blue line! Susie

Mark : 02:56:51  1008th place

Susie : 4:05:49 13065^th place

Sarah : 04:12:28  14596th place

Helen : 04:44:18  22188th place

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Carl Proctor was due to have his last training session with Penicuik Harriers on Tuesday but didn’t turn up, however some crazy guy in a pink George the Hippo costume did !!!!

We will miss his neverending enthusiasm and wonderful support and encouragement at sessins and races.  Also thanks for helping some of us with our navigatoon skills ????

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My first marathon and a very enjoyable one to do. We registered and collected our T-shirts prior to the quick safety talk in the hall at the Nevis-center. The race started at the shinty club and made its way out through the houses and on to the A830 in the shadow of Ben Nevis. Unfortunately the mountain was mostly obscured by cloud although some snow was still visible. The route continued along this road in an out and back route along the side of loch Eil. There was nice little groups of support and plenty of water stations with water and lucozade sport. The mile markers were also useful for me as I had left my gps watch at home (duh!). The nice thing about the out and back route was seeing the faster runners making their way back and seeing some familiar faces spurred me on. The weather was pretty awful and it rained most of the time we were running but this kept us nice and cool. Back at the center there was a much needed hot shower available and tea and rolls. So the times:
Tracy Philp : 3:48:48 (149)
Sadie Kemp : 3:37:55 (112)

Out of 328 runners and 8 DNFs!

I was in two minds whether to write a report about the Deuchary Hill Canter. However, as it looks like the results may never see the light of day, I think some lessons may need to be learnt from last Sunday.

As far as I am concerned, the DHC is one of the most runnable hill races on the calendar. At 19.3kms and ca. 700m of climb, there are few steep climbs and most of the course follows woodland tracks and forest roads. If you enjoy cross-country races but want to double or even triple your usual distance, then this is the race for you.

Deuchary HC route

Being a Harrier’s grandprix race, a few Harriers turned up: Stuart, Mike, Kirsty, Chris, Kevin, me and Andrea. The race started at 12pm although there were slower starts at 11 and 11.30. In many respects, the course is rather convoluted (the first quarter at least) weaving around the woodlands and hills to the north of Dunkeld and there are certainly many opportunities to take the wrong path/track. In the snow of 2013, by blindly following someone in front of me I missed the final turn up to Deuchary itself (so adding a kilometre on to the race) so I was well prepared this time to keep an eye on the map and not be a lemming. Adrian the organiser did advise before the race started that we should run with map in hand.

Anyway 12pm came and there was the usual sprint up the initial incline. Stuart, Mike and I were in the main leading pack although I struggled to keep up with them. By about 2kms, I was effectively on my own with the leading pack about 200 meters in front already out of sight in the murky mist. As far as I could tell, there one no one behind me. It was strangely silent in the mist.

The problems (not for me) started at about 2.5 kms where the route takes a sharp right turn from a north trajectory to almost a 160 degree turn to the SE. Although the route was marked with red/white flagging and saw dust on the ground, this turn was at best ambiguous (I have heard some say that it had been sabotaged). I could not see where the leader pack had gone – had they gone straight ahead, or gone sharp right up the hill? Getting my map out, it was clear that the route was sharp right and up. I set off. The route then went upwards through some wooded twists and turns to the first check point (no one there as far I could remember). However, I got the shock of my life when running back NW down off Craig a Barns I started seeing runners coming up towards me. Shit – had I gone wrong in the mist? It turned out that I was going the right way and that most of the field had gone straight on at the sharp bend and some of them were back tracking to find the checkpoint. Hitting the main track again, I quickly waved at a rather frustrated Andrea who was trying to decide what the hell to do. I shouted encouragement (hopefully) and ran on, running now with people in sight who had obviously not decided to back track. This was helpful as it gave me targets to catch up. Keeping a close eye on the map, I settled into a nice rhythm. Did I say it was spookily quiet in the mist – weird – just the sound of my laboured breathing……………

……….and the crack of snapping muscle fibres. Disaster struck at around 7.5kms. My right calf just went – ping! The same old problem which I have not suffered for over 12 months (thanks to Melanie!!). I knew it was the end. I slowed down to a jog to try and stretch it out, but when I got to the main crossroads, there was no way I was going to make this without severe hobbling and doing more damage. So I stopped and started the 4-5 km walk down to the finish. All I can say is that up to this point, the race was going very well. At 7kms, I was 30 seconds quicker than last year (although that had been a snowy race). Lesson learnt? next time, don’t dance a ceilidh the night before, don’t drink too much alcohol, go to bed earlier and bloody well drink more fluid!!

So I hobbled down the forest road. By the time I got to the finish, only about 4 runners had finished. Of the Harriers, Stuart came in first at around 1:39 with Mike coming in around 1:42 – both looking rather haggard. It is a long final few kilometres down a rather unforgiving track. Kevin was next but I missed him (sorry) as I went to get the car so that Andrea could get changed at the finish rather than having to jog down to the start. I got back to the finish to see Chris and soon after Andrea come in – both surprisingly in good spirits. Apologies to Kirsty, but we did not stay around as I was freezing by this time.

Lots of people were grumbling about the marking of the route and lack of marshals etc. Whether sabotaged or not, I think, is irrelevant. The markings are only there as a guide and I do believe that one should focus on the map and route rather than following someone in front of you. I made this mistake last year, and ultimately, there are lessons here that other runners need to keep in mind.

I will certainly be running the Deuchary Hill Canter again next year. I just need to get that new bionic leg fitted first!

Rob

Another great Harriers Ceilidh last night with very energetic dancing and lots of laughs, many thanks to everyone who attended.  The Whiskey & Sweetie Jar game raised £80 for the Beeslack Malawi Fund and the 50/50 game raised £52 – great effort!

We hope Carl enjoyed his last Harriers Ceilidh and wish him good luck to Carl with his new life in Bristol – he will be missed!!!

Some random photos below….

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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: 10^th: 1:04:35

Mike Brooks: 15^th: 1:07:35

Rob Wilson: 27^th: 1:13:36

Chris Downie: 52^nd: 1:29:17

Kirsty Loudon: 59^th: 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