Black Rock 5

2nd May 2008
4.32 miles
Race website

The race starts in Kinghorn before heading out across the beach to the Black Rock. I dropped a few places just coming off the beach on the way back as I got a stitch and felt generally pretty wasted. Pulled back one place before the turn downhill to the railway viaduct, and held on up the steep hill to the finish. Ended up around 27th place I think, in 26:06, so just missed my sub 26 minute target, but still managed a PB by about 45 seconds on 2 years ago.

Black Rock 5

23rd June 2006, Kinghorn, Fife
4.5 miles, 220ft
2006 Results  |  Official Website
A record field of 677 runners. Took it steady to start with this time, and enjoyed reeling folk in for most the race. The run out to the rock was on firm sand, but with a stiff headwind. The run back felt much easier wind-assisted until the final soft section of sand, which sucked the life out of my legs. Had a good battle with Caspian Richards once back on the road, just failing to outsprint him on the 45 degree uphill finish.
First lady Rosie Smith got ahead of me just before Black Rock; opened a gap running through the knee-deep sea water; and pulled away steadily on the return leg to set a new ladies' course record of 25:59.
Ray Ward of HBT won the race overall in 23:13. I finished in around 26:51.