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| Geo Ferguson starts to descend |
In a funny sort of way I had missed the race over the past 3 years and even more so the regular training runs up the Crags which develop a certain physical and mental strength. However, having jogged down to the start in heavy rain with the top of the Crags invisible in the low cloud, I could see this race far enough. I was pleased to see that Frances and Geo had made it through to run and also that one of our juniors, Kai Wheeler was also there, all looking a lot more enthusiastic than I felt (all first timers for this route whereas I knew all too well what was to come!).
Soon there were over 100 runners of all ages lined up at the end of the path leading to the hill 50m further on. Race organiser, Alistair Johnston, made his usual comedy briefing from atop a fence post, casually waving his starter's pistol around for effect, emphasising that the main aim was to enjoy ourselves and then fired the gun to set us off. I had squeezed up to the front as it narrows to a single file path after the first 50m and climbs very steeply indeed. There were many young, specialised hill runners here and so I had no thoughts of going with them but did want to have a clear run on the hill. As always some went too fast at the start and I passed them one by one throughout the first three quarters of the 800 foot climb. In the final quarter of the ascent, the hill becomes more exposed and was extremely cut up and muddy with bigger step ups which did not suit my short legs and weak ankles and I lost a few places here heading towards the cairn. I usually expect to be strong to the cairn at the top but to lose out over the next quqrter mile descent across very rough and steep moorland. This turned out to be so and I lost a few more places as I did my best impression of an accident waiting to happen on the rough descent. However, I knew that when we hit the tarmac road and the forest trail for the final mile and a half descent I would fly again.
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| Alan reaching the top with a target to catch |
As soon as I jumped onto the road, I took off and quickly passed many. When we turned sharp right into the forest, only the leading lady was still visible (she had passed me on the rough bit) and catchable, providing a good target. I felt fantastic flying through the forest and was soon ahead and clear. My Garmin shows that I was running at sub-3 minutes per km throughout the descent which was why it felt so exhilarating. There's nothing like a bit of gravity assistance to make you feel fast again! I crossed the line in 28:55, only 2 seconds faster than 3 years ago although many, many minutes down on my fastest times over the past 30 years. I was 12th overall but only 5th M50 in the provisional results (although that could change in the final results as the rain was causing severe problems for the recorders; Geo was shown as being ahead of me in the first set of very, very provisional results). Next Harrier in, having thoroughly enjoyed himself was Geo, crossing the line in 37:45. Frances had accompanied young Kai all the way around and in the true Harriers' spirit, he sprinted away from her in the final 50m to cross the line in 40:50 with Frances just behind in 40:51.
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| Kai leads Frances |
Geo and I then jogged the mile to the sports centre for the free showers and copious cakes, sandwiches and sherry at the prize giving. This was a thoroughly enjoyable return to an old favourite, despite the weather. There most likely will be a summer edition some Wednesday evening in June, so watch this space. There are no guarantees that the weather will be better in June though; welcome to the Callander micro-climate!
Photos of most of the field at the top of the climb are here.
Alan
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| Frances at the top |
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