New Arch Rivals at Inaugural National Trail Race Championships

John McBride and George Stewart post-race

In complete contrast to last weekend's weather, a field of almost 150 women and men gathered in sweltering heat in Falkland, Fife for the inaugural National Trail Race Championships. We had no ladies racing today so that left it to 5 Harriers' men to line up for the 15km race. Russell Couper had the honour of being race number "1" with the remaining Harriers numbered in sequence behind him. We were warned by Russell that we had to finish in numerical order but we soon decided that reverse numerical order would be best for all concerned. The ladies' 10k race was first and all we were hearing after the finish were tales of how tough the course was, confirming that a cautious start would be prudent. However, when the hooter went for the start of the men's race, the downhill start was anything but cautious, the first km from Falkland House flying by on estate roads and farm tracks before turning onto a narrow forest path where the legs promptly fell off as the course started the first of several sharp climbs. The forest path emerged onto a high level forest road on which we descended back towards the start for the first 5km loop. The second time around the pace was naturally a bit slower, especially on the forest path ascent. At the top of the ascent we emerged onto the forest road again but this time turned right, away from the start. The forest road was never flat, always climbing or descending. At the furthest point from the start, the road dropped steeply and curved back on itself in the valley floor before we were directed up a very steep path through the forest which climbed back up to the high level forest road. The final 10 metres of this were not runnable (for me at least), however a rhythm was soon re-established on the forest road and I finally managed to regain some pace and a single place. A fairly gentle descent over 2km took us back to Falkland House and a final 150m, uphill to the finish line. In my case there was no one near me so thankfully I did not have to try to sprint up this hill. I finished in 1:02:12, well down the field having struggled from the start (the course was about 14.3km, so a little short but I am not complaining as the finish could not come soon enough). Andy Henderson finished clear of his nearest rivals in 1:07:41 and also struggled for the first 25 minutes. Harriers' race of the day was between new arch rivals George Stewart and John McBride with George establishing an early lead before a well paced effort by John consigned George to John's back pocket. John's time was 1:14:48 with George following in 1:15:38. Finally Russell Couper had a ding dong heavyweight battle with an Anster Haddie; a contest which Russell eventually won comfortably and added some interest to his race. Russell's time was 1:35:51.

Russell inside the final 100m

Needless to say, being a Fife AC hosted race, there were copious quantities of tea and cake in the village hall at the end of this very well organised and scenic race. Hopefully this will become a permanent fixture on the calendar and we can get more Harriers entered next year. Well done to the Harriers team.
Alan