DEVILLA FOREST 15

For those that dont know the Devilla Forest 15 is a 15k trail race held at Tulliallan police college next to Kincardine. Four Harriers took part today in what was pretty good running conditions apart from the trails themselves. Julie Beveridge, George Stewart, David Wardrope and Russell Couper took to the start line which was held up for over 5 mins while they got the megaphone to work then we were off. The first few hundred metres are on twisty roads in the college grounds and climbs slightly. Julie got off fast and had passed me by the first bend but George and David had to wait till we were on the trails to make their pass. Again the trail keeps a gradual climb and after a kilometre and a bit they were all out of sight. With no markers it was difficult to know your pace but it wasnt going to be fast as i would estimate most of the first 8k was a gradual climb with a few wee flat sections and slight downhills on route. Throw in some very muddy and slippy sections this took its toll on all runners with the 8th k being a steeper section of forest track. At around 5k i noticed a timing chip in the mud and stopped to pick it up as there is a financial penalty for runners failing to return them so that was my good deed for the day. The second half is easier as its more downhill than up but again very tough terrain in sections. Although my legs were under a lot of stress about 8k i did find i got a bit of recovery and had a good couple of k on the south side of the reservoir roughly 10k-12k. This was a flat section on a firm forest trail and good for running on and i actually started to pass some that had previosly passed me earlier. The last 3k was mostly forest track and downhill but with tired legs i couldnt take any advantage to catch some more and was retaken by a couple of runners. Finally with just under a k to go we were back on trail then out into the college grounds and road to the finish at which point i found my legs again and pulled back 30m on the runner in front for an easy pass. Places and times are not on the host clubs website yet but George kindly got the times at the prizegiving which are Julie 1:11:25, George 1:12:24, David 1:18:36 and Russell 1:31:53. (Just for the record my good deed earlier in the race cost me 25mins). In all seriousness a very good race albeit very tough but well worth other Harriers looking at it in future. Many thanks to Joanne McEvoy for coming along to support us although not a good course for spectating.