Saturday 23 February 2008

Scottish National Cross Country

23rd February 2008
Callendar Park, Falkirk

Results | Photos: Women's race | Men's race

The men's race was won by Mark Pollard in a sprint finish to hold off Thomas Russell by the narrowest of margins. The women's race was won by Susan Partridge by a far more comfortable margin. My own race was fairly hopeless. A very sore right foot and ankle meant I was in two minds whether to bother starting. After the first lap I spent the entire rest of the race getting overtaken, and was just glad to finish, but had no power in my foot or any chance of overtaking anyone. Owen O'Neill had a good first run for Westies, finishing in 100th position to pip Nige and myself, who finished 101st and 107th.

Race Route End of Lap 1 Start of Lap 3 Lap 3 Close finish between Mark Pollard and Thomas Russell Ellie Ellie Ellie Ellie Ellie - End of Lap 1 Ellie - End of Lap 2

Monday 18 February 2008

Carnethy 5 Hill Race

16th February 2008
8.9km, 780m

Results | Photos | Photos at Finish

I pottered round the Carnethy 5 race route in 56:49, frustratingly dropping 8 places from the summit of Carnethy to the end, due to feeble descending skills through the heather. The race was won by Lloyd Taggart in the frightenly fast time of 47:11 to clock the second fastest time ever, and would surely have broken Gavin Bland's record if we hadn't all been detoured off the path up Scald Law to flounder through deep heather. Angela Mudge once again was 1st lady, in an impressive time of 55:13 - and less than a minute off her own course record.

Race Route Route Profile versus Time Route Profile versus Distance Climbing Scald Law The final steep climb on West Kip Ellie Ellie

Monday 11 February 2008

Balmaha to Loch Lomond (and back)

10th February 2008
Balmaha, Loch Lomond

Photos

Ran 26.8 miles with Ellie from Balmaha out and back along the West Highland Way.

Balmaha Marathon Route West Highland Way north of Rowardennan

Saturday 9 February 2008

Scottish National Masters Cross Country

9th February 2008
Irvine Academy

Results | Photos

The route was 3 laps, with a total distance of 9.85km. Lyn Wilson of Carnethy won the ladies race, and Bobby Quinn of Kilbarchan was first in the men's race. I finished 19th overall in 35:34, and 9th over 40.

The Route - 3 Laps Lyn Wilson - winners of ladies' race Start of men's race Suffering on Lap 3

Tuesday 5 February 2008

Forfar Multi-Terrain Half Marathon

3rd February 2008
Results | Details

Early morning torrential rain abated to give a fine run along the roads and trails around Forfar. The "multi-terrain" challenges included slippy muddy fields, umpteen gates to open and close, huge muddy puddles, and one fairly long section of knee-deep icy cold water.

I battled along with James Britton of Moorfoots in 2nd/3rd place, after giving up trying to stay with local runner Craig Stewart who opened up an early lead. Craig was never challenged, and won in 1:19:12. James finished second in 1:21:38, and I was about 20 seconds adrift in 1:21:59 to finish 3rd. Ellie had a strong run to finish as 4th lady in 1:34:12.

Forfar Route Lucy Colquhoun Ellie