The Harriers again headed over to Falkland in Fife for this hill race relay which is becoming a regular feature in the club calendar. We travelled to Fife through thick fog which brought back a few memories. It was still down to ground level as we approached the Lomond Hills. We registered and collected our number, Team 13. Why did it have to be that? We then listened to the pre-race briefing where it was firmly stated that if you get lost out there, don’t phone the police!
We have definitely left our mark on this race!
Sandy was on first leg duty which is a 7.5 km trail from Falkland to Strathmiglo. Despite a lingering cold which has interrupted her training, Sandy made a good job of this coming home in 41 minutes, just slightly down on her time from last year.
Myself and Gordon were waiting in the freezing mist at Strathmiglo and were glad to get started on Leg 2. This is 10 km with 680 m of climb over West Lomond and Bishop Hill. We warmed up quickly running the first mile after which this leg becomes a fast hill walk, which is ideal for multiple Munroist, Gordon. At check point 3 I noticed the sun coming out. I looked back and realised we had actually climbed out of the mist. It was a temperature inversion and we were treated to fantastic views over the cloud with peaks in the distance poking through. I know it is a race but I had to get the camera out. A hugely enjoyable run in the sun took us back down into the mist at Kinnesswood in 1 hour 29 minutes.
Kenny and Kay took over for Leg 3, 11.5 km and 420 m of climb to Maspie Den. After a really stiff climb to the gate at Bishop Hill they managed a good bit of running. Kenny recorded mile splits of 19 minutes and 7.03 minutes which give an idea of the terrain which could be described as “undulating”. Kay enjoyed her debut on this race, despite a head first fall into a bog! They handed over to Chas after 1 hour 11 mins.
Leg 4 is 5.5 km and 380 m of climb which is basically straight up and down East Lomond. Chas has done this leg several times and enjoyed his run, bringing the team home in a total time of 4 hours 23 minutes.
So Team 13 made it round with no dramas and finished in 99th place out of a record entry of 147.
5 comments:
Well done Team Calderglen!
Well done to all the runners and great photos and hope to be back next year
What a great day, a reminder of the joy of running in fantastic surroundings with a great team.Kay was a really good running partner and seemed to enjoy the rough stuff, even diving into a bog to show how much she liked it. The soup and rolls at the end were an added bonus.
Well done all. Wish I had been able to do it (although the stress of wondering if Kenny would appear out the mist would have been too much for me. Scarred for life from the last time)!
Alan
There are photos of legs 3 and 4 on the fife athletics club website on www.fifeac.com they capture both the good weather and the effirt of running through the bogs.
Sorry Sandy and Chas, I havent found any of legs 1 and 4.
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