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.

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.

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.

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

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.