Four seasons in one race

 

Lanark XC Short course 4k Championship was the venue on Saturday where six Harriers raced against Scotland’s top runners. Yes, they were all here; Muir, Butchart, Wightman, Ferguson, racing in challenging conditions. At the pre-race strategy meeting Jim Holmes provided valuable advice on the best way to run into the wind, heid doon.

As usual, the women were first off. Morgan and Frances had a quick warm up, with one of them feeling slightly overshadowed by the fabulous shorts of the other. I don’t know if you could see them from the Moon but in a field of over 200 participants there was no mistaking our Morgan! They started in a brief moment of sunshine, then hailstones, followed by rain, back to sunshine and then more rain. All in less than 25 minutes! Portugal, eat your heart out........

Frances charged home in 18:48. Not her Garmin time of 1 hour 16 minutes.......yes, she forgot to stop her watch.........and Morgan was a strong 20:35.

Off went the men and Geo was left to hold onto the tent as there was a very good chance it would turn into a kite. The wind was becoming a problem!

Callum led the way with an impressive 15:56 (see headline photo) Jim Holmes battled through to 18:00 dead, Gordon “toe” McInally gave 19:24 minutes of strong running and Russell Couper came in at a very respectable 20:50.

With the weather conditions, there was little in the way of a post race moan, and a new world record was set for tent packing. A good, if short day was enjoyed.........

Geo