Well Well!! Is it really that time already. No sooner have we got rid of our last bit turkey and Christmas pudding and we are thinking about the 2012 Carnegie Harriers Hill Running Grand Prix.

The opening event in this years GP is the excellent Carnethy Five Hill Race organised by Carnethy Hill Running Club. This years event will take place on Saturday 11th February. This is one of those races that hill runners quite literally queue up to run and as such entries for this popular event open this Monday, 9th January at 5pm through SiEntries

https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?elid=Y&event_id=657

If its anything like last year (which I have no doubt it will be) the 550 places sold out within 2 hours so delay in trying to get an entry.

Remember that with SiEntries, their system allows you to enter multiple runners so if you can’t be near a computer at 5pm on Monday, get a friend to do it for you.

And if you need something to pursuade you here’s the report from the 2011 Carnethy Five race http://carnegiehillbillies.org/carnethy-5/carnethy-5-hill-race-2011/

If you would like more information about the race visit the Carnethy website at: http://www.carnethy.com/ri_c5.htm

The rest of the 2012 Hill Running Grand Prix will be announced very shortly.

See you soon on top of a hill

It seems like a long time ago that the 2011 Carnegie Harriers Hill Running Grand Prix kicked of way back on the 12th of February with the Carnethy Five Hill Race. Who could have predicted then what a brilliant year it was going to be! The Titles won by our Over 60 men, the fight right to the end for the final positions and the fantastic numbers of runners that represented us at most of the hill races.

We also welcomed a few new faces to the hills this year that might have previously claimed that they only did road running! Well we converted them   Roger Clark, Calum McGraw, Ross and Lisa Carrie, Annette Rae, Allan Branigan and Angela Dixon all dipped their studded shoes and as for Jo Wilson, you can hardly keep that girl away from the hills these days!

But lets have a look at how the Grand Prix finished and all the prize winners. There are 15 races in the grand prix and its your best 9 races that count towards the final positions, the races for this year were:

There were 28 men and 9 ladies who competed in atleast one of the Grand Prix races and with 8 men and 2 ladies completed 9 or more races. This year both Kevin Dave and Melanie Sinclair managed to complete all 15 of the grand prix races which definitely required a bit of madness and alot of petrol!

This year the fight for the top spots was on from the word go. In the Ladies, Lynne Bennett and Melanie Sinclair played cat and mouse for much of the season but Lynne proved to be the much stronger runner, powering away from Melanie at many of the races as the year progressed and was certainly a worthy winner of this years Ladies Hill Running Grand Prix.

Melanie fought hard though and came in a very happy 2nd place, one spot up from 2010 with Morna Fleming finishing in a very respectable 3rd place.

The Men’s Grand Prix has to be where all the excitment was this year though. Kevin Davie worked hard to gain some excellent points throughout the year and sat in 1st place from the 6th race right up until the very last race at Tinto which would be the final decider of who was claiming this years crown. Pete ‘the Awesome’ Simpson who was last years winner had unfortunately suffered with injury this year and had missed a number of key races but he certainly wasn’t going to give up without a fight and Stevie King and Barry Davie were both eyeing up the trophy aswell. All would be decided at Tinto and it was, Pete proved to be too strong for the young’uns and stormed to victory again in 2011.

Kevin Davie fought hard and held on to 2nd place and Stevie King finished in a very close 3rd place. There were only 11 points between Barry Davie who finished in 4th place and Pete in 1st which shows just how tight this competition was and how much talent we have in our hill running men.

In our Veteran Men category which is 40 – 49, Colin Reynolds finished in 1st place, with Andy Sim 2nd and Sandy Bennet in 3rd place.

In the Veteran 50 Men’s category our very own Hill Running Captain, Allan Macaulay finished in 1st place, with Stevie Greer in 2nd and Kieran Morgan in 3rd place.

Our Men’s 60+ Category this year has also been a closely fought contest with our top 2 contenders Bill Duff and Tom Bowie pushing each other on to victory. Unfortunately Bill Duff has also suffered with injury this year so Tom Bowie romped to victory and claimed 1st Place, with Bill Duff taking 2nd and Bill Fairley finishing in 3rd place.

Both Tom and Bill have also won other Top Titles this year, with Tom Bowie winning the 1st Male 60 prize in the SHR Long Classics Series 2011 and Bill Duff winning the 1st male 60 prize in the SHR midweek Bog and Burn Series 2011. Congratulations to them both!

Every year the club awards 5 special prizes and one of those is to the ‘Most Improved Hill Runner’ and this year that was presented to Bill Fairley. The club was impressed with the way Bill performed this year, his Scottish Hill Racing percentaged improved and he competed in and finished the notoriously difficult Ben Nevis Race and all this from a man who is well over the age of 60 and has only been running for a few years. Very well deserved Bill

Now as many of you will remember, I have on occasion mention the Scottish Hill Runners Mug! This is one of the those highly coveted items that many will strive to get but only the determined few will actually achieve. Each year SHR have their Senior Championship races which consist of 2 short, 2 medium and 2 long races and competitors have to complete 1 of each category plus one other so 4 in total and they will then recieve their prize, an SHR Mug which will take pride of place on many a mantle piece.

This year only 5 Carnegie Harriers managed to claim one of these:

Allan Macaulay

Kevin Davie

Tom Bowie

Lynne Bennet

Melanie Sinclair

Congratulations to them all!

So thats how the story ends for 2011. Pete Simpson and Lynne Bennet are both victorious in the Hill Running Grand Prix and some big achievements for others aswell. Quite a few new faces on the hills and as always lots of fun and laughter whereever the Harriers are aswell.

Will 2012 be as exciting? I certainly hope so!

Until then, Happy Hill Running Folks!

Carnegie Member Andrew Wright organises 2 hill races in the annual calendar, The Law Breaker which is run in June and the Dumyat Dash. Both are challenging but terrific races.

80 Hill Runners contested the Dumyat Dash on Saturday 5th November setting out from Menstrie Green on a cold, misty but beautiful autumn morning.

As the assembled runners started off, there was only ever likely to be one winner with Internationalist Prasad Prasad dominating from early in the race. But every athlete has their own personal goals in hill racing and knowing the climbing and descending strengths and weaknesses of their regular fellow competitors also introduces an element of tactics which adds to the very friendly competition throughout the event.

The route headed off up the east side of Menstrie Burn, turning right up onto the west side of Myreton Hill. Some steep parts at first but a lot of runnable sections along farm tracks followed before a couple of sharp turns took the route decidedly off-road. Steep downhill next though the fern covered slope hid a very slippy track beneath. A few options then followed in how to cross The Menstrie Burn – the two exposed rsj’s left over from the now missing bridge didn’t seem at all appealing but i believe a few dare devils saved wet feet by using this crossing route. I opted for the safer, though wetter passage by wading through the freezing water!

On then to the long climb up the north east slope of Dumyat itself and I was only half way up when the eventual race winner flew past me – a clear 2 or 3 minutes ahead of the second placed runner. Good to see Pete Simpson in 5th place at that point, obviously having a good run although he did admit to being as knackered as I was at the summit! Alan MacAulay was happy to verify this over a coffee at the end and, if I’m honest, it’s something of a comfort that the gazelles at the front suffer the same bodily challenges that us slow coaches do!



Up the rocky face to the summit, Alan MacAulay was there with a number of others offering cheery encouragement to which I think I managed to grunt a gasping response. A brief glimpse of stunning weather and spectacular views before rounding the cairn and starting the descent.

 
The downhill route retraced our steps until the burn crossing which turned sharply right and headed off down the east side of Menstrie Glen. Some uphill sections preceded possibly the most difficult 2 kms of the course where the very muddy trail, cut into the side of the glen, proved very challenging with various reports of slips and falls being backed up at the end by some very muddy looking legs and butts.

The few shortcuts that were available to cut some distance off the farm track chicanes were difficult to find and a recce of the route would prove worthwhile if intending to run this again.

Onwards back into Menstrie and the finishing line came quickly at the end of Menstrie Green.

Another excellent race, very well organised with possibly the most generous list of prizes around. One for next year’s diary and well worth the £5 entry fee. Excellent direction by Andrew and a big thanks go to the number of Harriers who assisted at registration and marshalling on the hill.

Report written by Keiran Morgan.

All pictures were taken by Captain Allan MacAulay who was marshalling at the top of the hill.

Full results of the race can be found here: http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceResults.aspx?RaceID=RA-0265&Year=2011

Happy Hillrunning Folks!

8 Harriers made the short trip to Alva on Sunday 23rd October for the second running of “The Run of the Mill” Hill Race.

The 14.5km route started at the foot of Alva Glen, rising steeply up until it crossed the Silver Burn before heading down through a fast but tricky and slippery woodland stretch, emerging out alongside Tillicoultry Golf Course. Into Tilly and past Tillicoultry Mill Glen (which is currently closed due to rock falls), the steepest climb in the race awaited the 130 runners before heading out on the Blackford Path. That climb felt relentless although it was only 15 or 20 mins before the wind was felt on our backs again, encouraging some running along the side of Elistoun Hill.

A sharp but very slippery downhill path off the west side of King Seat Hill was shortlived before the long drag up the eastern slope of Andrew Gannel, followed by the boggy peat section on up to the highest point in The Ochils, Ben Cleuch. It was pretty cold at this point with a biting wind but the forecast monsoon-like rain didnt materialise and some terrific views could still be glimpsed south over the Forth Valley. And, the best was yet to come.

The 2200 foot drop from Ben Cleuch back to the start in Alva was interrupted only by a short 2 or 3 minute climb up to the top of Ben Ever. Thereafter it really was a terrific descent over open heather, rough tracks and cutting as much as you dare off mini-alpinesque chicanes where confidence in your chosen brand of footwear – and any remaining strength in your legs and ankles – was really stretched to the limit.

The finish line came quickly after and the usual ad-hoc hill-running hospitality was again present with water and sweets available followed by soup and bread at the prizegiving in The No.5 Pub.

The Harriers present all performed very well. Graeme Campbell finished a brilliant 5th overall in a good quality field in 1 hour 16 mins. Pete Simpson ran another terrific race winning the M50 prize in 1:21. Kevin Davie (1:34), David Greig (1:39) both ran very strongly closely followed by Tom Bowie who continued a fantastic season, winning the M60 prize. Kieran Morgan enjoyed a good run and particularly the descent in (1:46) and Isobel Burnett claimed yet another F50 prize in an excellent 1 hour 49 mins. Bill Fairley completed a good showing by the Harriers in 2:03.

Special mention must also go to Bill Duff who, although still out with an injury, made the trip through and could be seen and clearly heard encouraging many runners, not only Harriers, at 2 or 3 points on the route.

Full results can be found here: http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceResults.aspx?RaceID=RA-0258&Year=2011

All the photos were taken by John Donnelly who runs for the the Westies and I ‘hopefully’   have his permission to use them here!

This report was written by Carnegie’s own Kieran Morgan who very kindly offered to do so since the normal blog author did not do this race. If any other Harriers would like to do race reports in the future then please just let me know and they shall always be very kindly received.

Kieran also added a very important message at the end of his report: “So, there are now only 2 races to go in our 2011Hill Running Grand Prix. The Dumyat Dash on 5th Nov and finally Tinto Hill Race on the 12th Nov. Tinto is a very special race for Carnegie as we run it in memory of our then Hill Running Captain, George Murdoch, who sadly passed away while out for a run on 18 Oct 2007. As many Harriers as possible are asked to enter. As it is a short race, it is ideal for anyone who hasnt run a hill race before but who would like to give it a try”

Entries for Tinto Hill race can be found here: https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?event_id=582

Happy Hill Running Folks! 

The Pentland Skyline took place on Sunday October 9th, organised by Carnethy Hill Running Club. This race is over 26 km long with a total ascent of almost 2,000 metres.

It starts and finishes at Midlothian Ski Centre and follows a circular route around the Pentlands taking in 13 summits. It has been described as a race of 2 halves, as the first half is relatively straightforward with lots of good running but once the runners reach the Drove Road drinks station things certainly get a lot tougher. The rough terrain combined with inevitable fatigue starts to really take its toll and sheer determination gets those runners to the finish line.

A total of 186 runners completed this years race which is the highest number to date and of those 7 were Carnegie Harriers.

A short summary by Fabienne Thompson sums up the weather on the day rather well: “1st half horizontal wind, rain and mist, 2nd half good visibility and more gentle conditions”

Captain Allan Macaulay also provided a race report as follows:

“A record 186 finishers took part in the Pentland Skyline hill race. The race, covering 16 miles of 6200ft climbing, was very well represented by Carnegie Harriers as 7 club members participated. Conditions were amongst the most difficult experienced for this race with strong winds combining with muddy underfoot conditions for most of the race making the event even more testing than normal. First Carnegie runner was Ultra specialist Ritchie Cunningham who finished in a highly impressive 24th place overall in a top quality field in 3.03.39. Derek Cassells was next Carnegie harrier in 30th position in 3.06.57. Tom Bowie continued his great form on the hills this season finishing 99th overall but still managed to collect the 2nd V60 prize against tough opposition in this category. Other Carnegie Harriers runners participating were Fabienne Thompson 133rd in 3.57.47, Steve Greer 141st in 4.03.43, Allan Macaulay 159th in 4.15.23 and Kieran Morgan 166th in 4.23.55

This is my assessment of the Pentland Skyline from nearer the back of the race but would welcome any other participants views from further up field. Thanks to Kieran for keeping me going over the first half of the race; it realy was tough going over Carnethy, Scaldlaw and South Blackhill with high winds and poor visibility making it very challenging indeed. Thanks to Carnethy Hill Runners for putting on such a well organised event; particulary impressed by the number of marshals scattered across the hill in difficult conditions.”

For full race results please visit: http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceResults.aspx?RaceID=RA-0107&Year=2011

For more information on the race visit: http://carnethy.com/ri_skyline.htm

Well done to all the runners and Happy Hill Running!

Entries are now open for The Devil’s Beeftub Race which takes place on Saturday 10th September 2011. You can only pre-enter for this race as it is a British Championship Counter race.

Its a short, sharp little devil of a race with over 750 feet of climbing in only a 2 mile long race.

The Ladies race starts at 12noon and the mens is at 12.30 but allow plenty of time to get from registration to the actual start of the race which is about a 15 minute walk away.

More information can be found here: http://www.carnethy.com/ri_beeftub.htm

And online entry which costs £4 is at SiEntries here: https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?event_id=559 Please remember that this race is pre-entry only.

Happy Hill Running!  

Well what a busy weekend that was for those hill running Carnegie Harriers! A Grand Prix race in the Borders, a local race in Fife and a long hill race in the Highlands! They like to get themselves involved in everything.

Saturday 25^th June 2011 was the 50^th Anniversary running of the Eildon 2 Hills Race organised by Gala Harriers, which takes place every year down in Melrose. This was the 8^th counter in the Carnegie Harriers Hill Running Grand Prix and also a counter for the Scottish Hill Runners Championship 2011.

The race starts right in the centre of Melrose at the rugby club and then heads up the High Street, past all the shops (no time to stop and browse though), through the narrow alley way, up the steps and then onwards towards the first hill. The race route was changed slightly this year shortening the course to allow younger competitors to enter and was just under 6km long with a climb of almost 1,300 ft. You have to summit both hills and then head back down again, finishing with the long run back down the high street and a final lap of the rugby ground to the shouts of support and applause.

15 Carnegie Harriers headed South to take part in this race and it was fantastic to welcome a couple of new faces to the hills aswell.

Colin ‘where’s ma dug’ Reid who is not entirely new to hill racing but has not been at a race this year was welcomed back with open arms although we almost didn’t recognise him without Mitch by his side but Colin certainly proved that he didn’t need Mitch to pull him up the hills as he had a fantastic run, finishing 4^th Hillbilly over the line. We also enjoyed welcoming Gordon ‘is this not a road race’ Campbell to his first hill race with us and he certainly seemed to enjoy himself, atleast I think that was a smile and not a grimace after the race. Let’s hope that’s the first of many hill races for him! 

It was a great day out for all the Carnegie Harriers and Gala Harriers hosted a great race with an excellent post-race spread afterwards. We even got a lovely commemorative shot glass as a momento of the race and to celebrate its 50th Anniversary.

For another report of the day and the full race results please visit: http://www.galaharriers.com/2011/06/27/50th-anniversary-eildon-hill-race/#more-757

Sunday 26th June brought Falkland Hill Race. A great local race organised by Fife Athletic Club which involves running as fast as you can from the fountain on the Main Street in Falkland all the way to the top of East Lomond and then right back down again. Its a short, steep, fast, tough little race and there’s certainly no time to admire the views, just enough time to feel the thighs and calves burning from the climb and descent.

4 Carnegie Harriers, after having recovered or more than likely blocked out the pain of the Eildon 2 Hills Race, decided to take part in this local race which covers less than 3 miles but has an ascent of almost 1,200 feet.

Mr Bill ’110%’ Duff had an excellent run to claim the 1st Male over 60 prize and Lynne Bennet and Melanie Sinclair were both deleriously happy with their 3rd and 4th Female places respectively. Sandy Bennet is back on fine form after suffering last year from injury leading the Hillbillies home and is obviously instructing his whole clan in how to run hill races as Sandy and Lynne have two great little hill runners in the making, Ailsa and Struan,  who took 1st and 2nd in the Falkland Junior Race and then did a fine job of supporting the adults when it was their turn.  

Full Results can be found here: http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceResults.aspx?RaceID=RA-0066&RaceYear=2011

Also on Sunday 26th June, was the Ultra distance Lairig Ghru race organised by Deeside Runners. This 27 mile race which runs from Braemar to Aviemore, taking in some spectacular scenary with over 2,000 feet of climbing.

The Carnegie Harriers had 3 runners taking part in this exciting race, Colin Reynolds, Andy Sim and David Greig. There are still no official results available from this race but we do have a great quote from David which seems to sum it up rather well;  “Ran my first Lairig Ghru. What a race. Rockhopping, burn wading, and spectaular scenery, even in the mist. Definitely one to do again” and it is believed that Colin Reynolds may be legless as rumour has it he left his up there in the Highlands. We await further updates but if anyone does happen to have a spare set of legs please let us know!

For more information about this great race visit: http://deesiderunners.com/dp/node/10

Now thats an EXCELLENT weekend of Hill Racing! Well done to all Harriers taking part in races!

Just a reminder:

Dollar Hill Race takes place this coming Saturday 2nd July 2011 at 2pm. This is the 9th counter in the Carnegie Harriers Hill Running Grand Prix and is a category AM hill race. It is approximately 15k long with a climb of almost 1,000 metres. For more information about the race please visit Scottish Hill Racing http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceDetails.aspx?RaceID=RA-0071 or the organising clubs website, Ochil Hill Runners http://www.ochilhillrunners.org.uk/static.aspx?id=dollar Looking forward to seeing a great turn out of Hillbillies again this weekend!

Happy Hill Running!

The West Highland Way Race 2011 - 95 miles stretching from Milngavie up to Fort William! Yes you read that right, ’95′ miles, it just doesn’t seem possible to the average runner but then these ‘ultra’ runners are a whole other breed.

They have 35 hours to cover the 95 mile (153km) course which includes 4499m (14760ft) of ascent which starts at the railway station at Milngavie, passes through various checkpoints, many of which have cut of points, and they then have to run/jog/walk/crawl all the way to Fort William Leisure Centre. This years race started at 1am on a very wet Friday 19th June 2011.

Carnegie Harriers had 4 runners taking part in this years race, Fiona Rennie and Pauline Walker both who have completed the race many many times. Richie Cunningham (2010′s race winner in a time of 16.36.04) and Pete Humphreys, who also having taken part last year was looking to improve on his 2010 time of 21.55.51.

Pauline with her support crew of Sue Walker, Melanie Sinclair and also the introduction of ‘The Swatter’. This would be utilised if the support crew at any time though that Pauline was not moving fast enough! ;-P Fiona Rennie is also pictured with her 1st support crew made up of President Val Macaulay and Captain Allan Macaulay. Its all about the titles in their house

The weather for this years race was definitely challenging and the heavy rain in the week leading up to it meant that from the word GO the ground was energy zapping. Lots of mud and very slippy, slidy meant that quite a few runners suffered slight injuries in the first section between Milngavie and Drymen and it didn’t get any better from there. The rain stayed of through Friday night but Saturday brought even more and made conditions difficult.

The runners rely heavily on their support crews for these ultra races. The organisers state they must have a minimum of 2 but many of the runners will have double that. The crews are their to ensure their runners safety and comfort at all times, which isn’t easy when battling the weather aswell. They also have to ensure that their runner is well fuelled and be at all the checkpoints well in advance of their runner getting there. It has been said that the support crews have the most difficult job but I think that has to be up for debate. Running 95 miles sounds pretty darn hard to me!

Fiona is pictured on the right with her 2nd support crew of Robin Wombill and Gillian McCracken, she also had Lesley Halstead who did much of the driving whilst Robin and Gillian ran with Fiona.

There were just over 150 runners started the race on Friday night but only 113 finished before the deadline of 12noon at Fort William on the Sunday. The tough conditions and terrible weather took its toll and even those experienced on the West Highland Way struggled to cope.

Our determined Carnegie Harriers fought right to the end though, and all 4 succeeded in finishing. Richie Cunningham (pictured with one of our other great Carnegie Harrier Ultra runners Gail Murdoch) had a fierce battle with Jan-Albert Lantink and Mark Godale but once again held them of to take the top spot in 16:24. Pete Humphreys finished in an outstanding 9th place in a time of 19:25 taking over 2 hours of his previous best time and Pauline and Fiona both showed why they excel in these ultra running events, showing trut grit and stamina to both finish in very respectable times of 28:20 and 32:16 respectively, collecting the much coveted West Highland Way Goblet.

Now being true hillbillies, they couldn’t possibily run all that way with fitting in a full cooked breakfast. Well perhaps the support crews stopped of for bacon rolls on Saturday morning (but don’t tell the runners) but certainly by Sunday morning when everyone one was finished a nice breakfast was the order of the day. Everyone was quite tired by then but still had plenty of energy to scoff their breakfast and look back with lots of laughs over the weekends events.

The end of another fantastic weekend! Roll on The West Highland Way Race 2012. For more information about the race visit http://www.westhighlandwayrace.org/

There is also a very good report of the race, written by Adrian Stott for Scottish Athletics

 http://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/index.php?p=17&itemType=news&itemId=5566

Full set of photos are available here:

 https://picasaweb.google.com/Scottishmelbabe/WestHighlandWayRace2011#

The photos of Richie and Pete were very kindly supplied by Alan Young! Thank you Alans full set of photos can be found here:

 https://picasaweb.google.com/dion.networks/WestHighlandWayRace_2011#

The picture of Fiona and her support crew was taken by the Wilderness Response Team who had 4 teams out on the hills over the weekend. They provided great support to all the runners and their crews and proved to be a very valuable asset to the race. Thank you

Full results and times are available here:

 http://www.westhighlandwayrace.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=484

The date has already been set for next years West Highland Way Race 2012 – 1am Saturday 23rd June. If you feel like to you would like to be part of this fantastic weekend but don’t quite feel like running 95 miles, then what about becoming part of the support crew? Its hard work for sure but also great fun in some of the most beautiful parts of Scotland. Run – Drive – look after kit – there’s lots of jobs to do! If this sounds like something you would enjoy, speak to either Pauline, Fiona or the Carnegie Club President Val Macaulay who can give you more information.

Hillbillies Rule the World!

Have you thought about trying Hill Running? :-?  Too scared of the really big hills, longer races or having to get back of the hills again? Well this could be the weekend for you to give it go! :-D 

Tomorrow, Saturday 25th June is the Eildon 2 Hills Race which takes place in Melrose in the lovely Scottish Borders. This is the 8th Counter in the Carnegie Harriers Hill Running Grand Prix and is also a Scottish Hill Runners Championship event for 2011 aswell so you can be sure of not only a large turn out of runners but a very varied field of abilities aswell. 

The race starts at 3.00pm at the Greenyards, Melrose and covers 3.5 miles and 1500 feet of climbing across the Eildons. This race is again an ideal opportunity for club members who are fairly new to hill running and would like to test themselves. For more information you can either visit http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceDetails.aspx?RaceID=RA-0065 or go straight to the Gala Harriers website which is the hosting club http://www.galaharriers.com/ 

There is a post on Carnegie Harriers forum regarding car sharing and we would encourage this due to the likelihood of a large number of runners and cars in the area on the day. The weather forecast is good so come along and enjoy an enjoyable and friendly day out.

Now perhaps your thinking, thats a bit far to drive or you already have plans for Saturday. Well there’s something a little closer to home taking place on Sunday. Falkland Hill Race takes place this Sunday 26th June at 2pm. Again this great race is approximately 3 miles long with a climb up East Lomond of about 1200 ft. This is a fantastic little race organised by Fife Athletic Club and always attracts a variety of abilities. Visit http://bcruickshank.brinkster.net/page144.htm for more information.

Both of these races are great for a novice hill runner and all you need is a pair of of-road trainers and for Eildon, waterproof jacket and trousers (which you do have to carry when you are running). Other than that just lots of enthusiasm and a big smile for when the cameras are about.

Hills are great fun! So come on, this weekend stop thinking about it and just do it!

Just a reminder:

The Carnegie Harriers 20th Anniversary Dinner Dance takes place on Saturday 20th August 2011 within the Caledonia Suite at the Queensferry Hotel, North Queensferry. The evening will commence at 7pm (dinner served at 7.30pm) with a three course dinner followed with live entertainment by the highly accomplished five piece band called ‘The Jammy Devils’.  The band are very versatile and a ceilidh section will also feature during the evening.

?If its one thing that Caregie Harriers know how to do well, its to have a good time and who can pass up the chance for a party

The Simon Wake Comrie Hills Relay organised by Strathern Harriers is a 42k relay race with 2,110m of ascent, run in 4 stages for teams of 5 runners. This years race takes place on Sunday 11th September and the highly scenic course starts and finishes in Comrie village, and follows a route up and around the hills surrounding Glen Lednock.

Legs 2 and 3 cover rough mountain terrain, while Legs 1 and 4,
although challenging, are closer to trail races and are fully marked.

The race is dedicated to the memory of their friend and fellow Strathern Harrier Simon Wake who died aged 47 in October 2008 after a short battle with Pancreatic Cancer. All proceeds from the race will be donated to the fight against this terrible disease.

Race legs

1. 11k, 527m ascent, 1 runner
2. 7k, 400m, 2 runners
3. 12.6k, 712m, 1 runner
4. 11k, 370m, 1 runner

The last 2 years Carnegie Harriers have only had 1 team of runners in for this event. This is largely due to the fact that it has always clashed with other races. This year there are no clashes and Captain Macaulay is keen to see our club well represented at this fantastic event. Whilst this is classed as a Hill race, that should not deter any road runners from running in this event. 3 of the legs are trail runs and only 1 is a ‘proper’ hill leg so this really is an event that all runners can take part in.

Tom Bowie climbing up Glen Lednock 2010

Although they can’t guarantee sunshine on the day, Strathern Harriers say the weather has been kind in previous years, but what they do offer is:
* category and leg prizes provided by our sponsors, The Famous Grouse Experience
* a barbecue (included in the team entry fee)
* and a very enjoyable and competitive race

For more information and a look at the route maps visit the Strathern Harriers website http://www.strathearnharriers.org.uk/comriehillsrelayrace.htm

Captain Macaulay would like to emphasis just how good the burgers are and what a sociable day out this will be for all taking part! Please let him know if you wish to take part by either responding to his post on the forum, drop him an email or if you plan to be at Yetholm this weekend you can let him know then! Visit the forum here: http://www.carnegie-harriers.co.uk/

Lets make the 2011 Comrie Hill Relays glow with the Carnegie Hillbillie colours this years!

The Hills are alive with the sound of Hillbillies!!!