Wednesday 30 April 2008

Kaim Hill Race

30th April 2008
5.5km, 380m
Results | Race Details

Very wet and slippy underfoot. Andy McCall won the race for the 3rd year in a row in a slightly slower time of 31:31, holding off the challenge from Alan Smith who finished in 32:39. Andy took a full minute out of Alan on the descent. I turned at the trig point in 3rd position, just a metre or so ahead of Colin Glencorse. Halfway down the rough descent Colin eventually moved in front, and I never quite caught up again. The final section of track after the burn crossing was unbelievably slidey and treacherous, and not ideally suited to chasing someone down. I started to relax on the final road section and was nearly caught by Nick Emsley, but I heard him coming and managed to up the pace a fraction to sneak under 34 minutes with a time of 33:59.

Ellen did fantastically well to finish as first lady by 3 and half minutes, with a time of 37:19.

I'd say all the times were down a minute or so on normal due to the horrendously slippery underfoot conditions.

Race Route Race Route Scott McKendrick Murdo Ellie plus group Jacques Penderis Dave Calder Outlook towards Arran

Monday 28 April 2008

Balfron 10k

27th April 2008

Results

I finished 6th in 36:12 on a hilly course. David Riach finished 2 places ahead of me in 35:47 to claim the first M40 position. Robert Gilroy won the race in 33:35. Ellie was 3rd lady in 40:39.

Saturday 26 April 2008

Whangie Whizz

23rd April 2008

Results

The weather turned out unexpectedly bright and clear for the first Wednesday night hill race of the year. After a fairly pedestrian start up to the stile, the pace picked up on the track along to the Whangie, with the lead group of 5 slowly pulling away. I alternated places with Mark Johnston, and ran up to the trig point together with Steven Fallon. Once on the descent I dropped 3 places to Steven, Alan Smith and finally Mark, just before the stile. David Riach did well, finishing 5th and taking first V40 prize, and Ellie finished as 3rd lady, only 1 second behind Iona Robertson, who she very nearly caught on the line in a last ditch do-or-die effort.

The race was won by Kent-based Tonbridge runner Nick Barrable in a time of 29:06. Angela Mudge was first lady for the 3rd year in a row, finishing in 32:44.

Race Route Race Route Angela Mudge Paul Thompson Don Reid Simon Triger Graham Kelly Iona and Ellie Steffen Gorgas

Thursday 17 April 2008

Chatelherault Handicap

16th April 2008

A bitterly cold evening for Westies 3rd annual Chatelherault Handicap. 13 runners. David Riach was fastest on the evening with 41:24. I managed 42:06, which was slower than 2007 but quicker than 2006.

Results

Race Route Post-race group Sunset Sunset Hamilton Graham Nige Johnston Cat Rich and Gill Owen JD

Sunday 13 April 2008

London Marathon

13th April 2008

Results | My Splits | Ellie's Splits

Jogged round London with a sore foot and ankle. Went through halfway in 1:23:14 and thought sub 2:50 should be possible. I was still on target for 2:50 at 30km, but then felt pretty rubbish after mile 18, and lost 5 minutes in the final 10km, thereby finishing in 2:54:55. At mile 24, I tried to summon a last ditch increase in pace, but as soon as I forced the speed at all, my right hamstring started shooting into cramp, so I played it safe and just pottered in the last 2 miles. A bit frustrating to be on 2:50 (or better) pace for the first three quarters of the race, and then blow 5 minutes in the final 6 miles. However it was the price I paid for starting too fast, not pacing it properly and not having done sufficient training.

Ellie did exceptionally well to record 3:11:32 in her marathon debut.

Race Route GMap Race Route