Last weekend saw two Carnegie Harriers, Kevin Davie and Melanie Sinclair heading North to Braemar to take part in the races that were part of the Junior Highland Games Festivities. Saturday 9th July was the Creag Choinnich Challenge which was 3 miles long with a climb of almost 700 feet. A short sharp tough little race.

The race winds it’s way from the Higland Showground in Braemar, up through the High Street towards the hill, up through the woods towards the summit, then a fast runnable descent all the way back down again. The runners were in awe as Scottish Champion Robbie Simpson set a new course record of 19 minutes and 34 seconds. Absolutely outstanding! The race attracted a fairly small field of runners, 24 in total and Kevin produced a fantastic run to finish in 7th place in 26:04, Melanie came in 17th in 32:07.

Our two runners were also joined by a couple of stray Anster Haddies to form the FIFE Contingent in a race dominated by the Northern Clubs.

Kevin Davie, Debz and George Hay also took part in the Heart of the Park Challenge which is a 12km multi-terrain trail race on Sunday 10th July. This race went up hill and down dale, through water, bog, woods and a caravan park!! 68 runners completed this difficult and testing race but all were still smilling at the finish even though most seemed to be taking home parts of the bog as a souvenir

Full results and reports for both races can be found at SHR http://www.shr.uk.com/Home.aspx

Wednesday 13th July was Maddy Moss Mash which is part of the SHR Bog and Burn series for 2011. This is a 10km race with a climb of almost 2,200 feet starting at Tilicoultry Glen with a steep climb, across the Gannel Burn and climbing up the Law. Once on the Law the path takes runners onto Ben Cleuch. They then retrace the route to the Summit of Andrew Gannel and then onto the Maddy Moss. The path along the hill side above Gannel burn is fast, runable which then brings the runners out for the short, steep final descent.

Wednesday was a beautiful evening and 127 runners took to the hills 6 of which were Carnegie Harriers runners.

Sandy Bennet was on fine form to lead the Harriers home in a fantastic time of 59:16 finishing in 18th place, closely followed by Stevie King in 1:02:37. Colin ‘I’ve lost ma dug’ Reid is back showing those hills who’s boss to finish in 57th in a time of 1:10:02. Bill Duff and Tom Bowie are really battling it out this season in the Men’s Vet 60 category with Bill driving onwards and upwards on Wednesday night to finish just under 3 minutes ahead of Tom. They both also place 2nd and 3rd MVet60 which is a great effort. It was also great to see Alison ‘The Vest’ West back racing as she has been suffering from injury this year and has been hugely missed by all.

As always though fantastic to see Carnegie Harriers scattered all over the country taking part in races showcasing our great club!

Full results for this race can be found here: http://www.shr.uk.com/RaceResults.aspx?RaceID=RA-0080&RaceYear=2011

All the pictures were taken by the Wilderness Support Team who were out on the hills providing support and emergency first aid at some of the steepest parts of the course. Thank you guys You can visit their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wilderness-Response-Team-Rescue-Emergency-Care-/168233243210362#!/pages/Wilderness-Response-Team-Rescue-Emergency-Care-/168233243210362 for more pictures and all the lastest info of where they have been providing support. Great bunch of guys so ‘Like’ their page please.

If any Carnegie Harriers have taken part in any other hill races and would like a mention in the blog please just drop me a comment and let me know! Although my all-seeing eye usually picks up on most of the going’s on!

Happy Hill Running!

George Murdoch died suddenly whilst out for a run on Thursday evening (18th October 2007).  George was a close friend to many and a very keen club member having joined the Harriers with his wife Gail over eleven years ago.  His love of running saw him become a keen hill runner and after joining the club’s committee he later became our Hill Running Club Captain.  George was a true gentleman and inspiration to all.  He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.  Our thoughts are with Gail and her family at this time. 

George’s funeral will take place at 11.30am on Thursday morning (25th October) at Dunfermline Crematorium.  Gail has asked for those attending not to wear black ties (either colourful ties or none) as the service will be a celebration of George’s life.

I have put some more photos of George HERE

I have been listening to a lot of music this week and this really struck home.

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George took to hill running a few years ago and as with everything else he did (his family, running and work), he did it with great enthusiasm and commitment.  Some of these early runs and races like the Stuc in 2004 where he called it a day before reaching Stuc a Chroin did not put him off.  Undeterred he put in the training and over the last two season’s he was a hill runner.  George navigated round Glen Clova when some more experienced hill runners were lost in the mist.  George had a great run in the Dollar British championship race finishing close to other Carnegie runners he never thought he would run with.  In the first club hill race George complained (jokingly) that some of those just in front of him were walking up the hill which encouraged him to walk when he wanted to run.  George was also one of the few Carnegie hill runners organised enough to get an entry for the Ben in 2008 and was already planning hill reps down Cation’s canyon for next summer.   

This year George took on the role of hill running captain and was a champion for runners of all standards and reminded us all that running was not just about winning but about taking part and just running.  George had meticulously planned out the next few weeks of Sunday runs in the Ochils with future sorties to the Lomonds in his mind, so that we were all prepared for the Devil’s Burdens.  As hill running captain he took on the organisation of our own hill race with a new route over White Craigs and Bishophill.  This may have been his favourite hill route but that hardly matters if George was running he was happy whether it was a club session, a race, a lunchtime run at work or a social run with fellow enthusiasts

George a gentleman, a friend and a runner (for all runners), we will all miss you.

Sandy Bennet