Carnegie Harrier Andy Symonds has just completed one of the world’s most extreme endurance events namely the Saab Salomon Mountain X Race. This gruelling event consisted of 15 stages over 6 days in the French Alps from July 21st – July 26th. Andy represented the Saab Salomon (GBR) team accompanied by fellow international mountain runners Ben Bardsley and Tom Owens. The event attracted 38 teams representing a dozen nations and was televised on Eurosport. Andy’s team excelled to place 2nd overall finishing only a few points between the winning French team.
A breakdown of the 15 stages can be found below;
Stage 1
The opening stage consisted of a 10km trail run with 700m of elevation gain starting from downtown Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Andy placed 5th from 114 competitors in 46.58.
Stage 2 (Day 1)
A 5am start on Day 2 of the event saw the athletes tackle the mountaineering stage which featured 33.5km complete with 3100m of elevation on trail that constitutes part of the Mont Blanc Tour. Andy put in a magnificent effort on this stage leading his team into the finish in first place.
Stage 3 (Day 1)
The athletes barely had time to recover from the intensity of the previous stage when Leg 3 was about to commence. This was a 6km trail race with an overall descent of 350m run between two villages in the Beaufortain valley. Andy showed no signs of fatigue as he powered his way to 3rd place overall in 19.27. After the first full day of competition Andy’s Saab Salomon team were the event leaders.
Stage 4 (Day 2)
Stage 4 offered the athletes a welcome break from running with the first of two mountain bike sections taking place. However with a 48km physically demanding course awaiting complete with 2113m of ascent it was never going to be easy! The stage set of at 6am and after 4 hours of pedalling Andy’s team completed this stage in 2nd place.
Stage 5 (Day 2)
After a short break the race re-commenced at 1pm with Stage 5 which was a 32km ride between Flumet and Thônes complete with 1154m of climbing. Andy’s team finished this stage in 9th place.
Stage 6 (Day 2)
After 80km of mountain biking already the athletes completed Day 2 with a 10km trail race with 421m of climbing. Andy’s team retained the overall lead after the Day 2.
Stage 7, 8 and 9 (Day 3)
The opening three stages on Day 3 involved a 2km canyoning section in Magland canyon, South-East of Lake Annecy. This was followed by a 2.4km stage with an elevation gain of 590m where the competitors use ropes to assist this steep ascent. Stage 9 was the final rope section with the teams split into three lanes in a race against the clock up a near vertical ascent.
Stage 10 (Day 3)
The final stage on Day 3 was another trail race where the runners faced a 15km race with a massive 700m of climbing. Andy placed 8th overall in 1.13.02.
Stages 11, 12 and 13 (Day 4)
The penultimate day of competitions saw the event take to the water with three canoeing sections. To increase the difficulty the competitors faced the rapids of two of Savoie Mont Blanc’s finest white water rivers, the Arve and the Giffre. The canoe sections were 14km, 16km and 6km along very fast flowing water and this was always going to be the toughest test for Andy’s team. Despite flipping their canoe twice in the rapids they managed to stay in contention for the race lead.
Stage 14 (Day 4)
The 14th stage was held in Morzine and involved the teams competing against each other in a 2km relay with Andy’s team placing 3rd overall.
Stage 15 (Day 5)
The final stage was never going to be a soft option and this 15th leg of this epic event was a 46km race with an elevation gain of 3000m. Andy’s Saab Salomon team crossed the line in 4th position in 7hrs 5 mins and after leading the competition for three days finished 2nd overall behind the experienced French team.
Congratulations to Andy and the rest of his team on their magnificent performance. Further details, videos and photo’s can be found on the event website by clicking HERE.
Finally, Andy has decided not to attempt defending his Tour of Fife title this week as a somewhat deserved rest is in order after his adventure in the French Alps!
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Friday 25th July – Durness Highland Gathering Hill Race
Calum and Fergus McGaw both enjoyed good runs in the Durness Highland Gathering Hill Race on Friday 25th July. The race is approximately 4.5 miles and is a mixture of road, grass, sand, gates and hills. Calum placed 2nd overall in the open event with a time of 27.40, and in the process took the 16 and under boys shield for a third year (2004, 2007 & 2008). Fergus meanwhile placed 6th overall (31.50) and picked up 2nd for the 16 & under boys category.
Calum with his Trophy
Three hardy Hillbillies, Richie, Neil & Alison, made the trek up to the Dufftown Highland Games for the Ben Rinnes 5 tops Hill Race.
Race Profile
It was a sweltering day and with 14 miles and 4900 ft of ascent nobody was over excited with the idea of running in the heat. Before the start many of the runners were seen seeking shade. Alison had forgotten her shoes and was fortunately able to borrow a pair from Jim at Fife AC.
The race was well organised and the course well marked with water at the 4 and 10 mile point. Having said that it is a tough and demanding course in particular the long descent from Ben Rinnes on a hard surface.
Some Photos HERE
It was a good race and I for one was really pleased when it was over.
Ben Rinnes 5 Tops Hill Race is part of the SHR Long series.
Results
| 10 | Richie Cunningham | Carnegie Harriers | M | 02:28:17 |
| 56 | Neil Campbell | Carnegie Harriers | M40 | 03:16:49 |
| 62 | Alison West | Carnegie Harriers | F50 | 03:40:33 |
Taken from The SHR site
Full results HERE
More Photos HERE
The positions in the Long Series after 5 Races HERE
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Five Hillbillies made the treck up to Mull for the Mull Monsterette, Part of the SHR championships. It was a great day that was well organised considering the logistics needed to get so many runners registered, onto the hill and back safely. The weather was clear and very windy on the tops. A great race to practice your climbing as it just went up and up.
Before
After
A slide show of photos HERE
Race Profile
Carnegie Results
Position Time Name Category
22 02:06:25 Tommy Lawrence m
28 02:08:37 Sandy Bennet mv40
65 02:39:53 Andrew Sim m
82 02:56:55 Neil Campbell mv40
83 02:57:56 Alison West f50
Full Results HERE
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This 1mile race with 1200ft of near vertical ascent through bracken and gorse attracted a Games record of 65 runners. The now typical summers day (breezy and cold) meant the narrow paths may be more congested than usual so the “get away from the track” and onto the start of the hill was going to be more important.
The starters gun fired and off the field went. Judy hoping to defend the BOFRA title she won last year keeping all the other females in her “sights” and me hoping it was not going to be as bad as it was last year.(So much for positive thinking at this stage) The lap around the games track then the “LOUP” over the park wall taking you along the road to the start of the hill got the large field almost into single file.
The going was tough as this weeks rain had made the paths very wet and slippy. Once over the fence at the golf club the only way is up. Although initially breezy and cool we both very quickly warming up!! The struggle to the summit seems like forever and near to the top it is so steep you are using hands to pull the grass (saves you falling downwards too!) to get you up where the mind wants you to go but the legs are struggling to agree!!!!!
Judy was only some 10yds behind the eventual race winner at the summit however just after reaching the marker she heard a loud crack after going over badly on her left ankle, which saw her lose ground on the descent. I am sure you can imagine how bad it is to come down with two good feet ( This year we both also wore padded cycling shorts to stop grass and bracken going into places its not supposed to!!!!)
She continued on and finished in a PB of 26.52 some 3.16 quicker than last year despite the ankle problem. She still managed 2nd lady. I managed to survive the descent in one piece and finished in a PB of 33.31, 1.29 quicker.
At the end the First Aid staff were in full swing as it appears as though the conditions had taken its toll on many of the competitors. Judy required their help and indeed that too of the Queen Margaret A&E on Sun morning. Nothing broken but very painful torn ligaments diagnosed.
Here’s to the 2009 race and hopefully a few more Harriers being there. Grand Prix event maybe??
Garry & Judy Taylor
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Saturday 5th July – Dollar Hill Race
Carnegie hit the heights at Dollar Hill Race
Nine members of Carnegie Harriers contested Saturday’s Dollar Hill Race which incorporated the Scottish Athletics Hill Running Championships. Congratulations to our men’s team of Tommy Lawrence (7th in 1.21.44), Richie Cunningham (22nd in 1.30.22), Kenny MacDonald (28th in 1.33.21) and Steven King (29th in 1.33.28) who won the men’s Scottish Championship team award over this demanding 9.4 mile course. Very well done to Alison West (1.58.07) who excelled to win the Gold medal in the Ladies senior veteran category and to Fabienne Thomson (1.47.06) who won bronze in the F40 age group.
Dollar Hill Race Report – Courtesy of Phil Smithard
SCOTTISH HILL CHAMPIONS for the Club
LADIES SENIOR VET – 1st – ALISON WEST
CARNEGIE HARRIERS – 1st – MENS TEAM
LADIES VET – 3rd – FABIENNE THOMPSON
All did the club proud today with 6 of the 9 CH starters gaining Scottish Medals. Alison (I’m glad to be back on the hills) West had a sound and happy run for Gold and Fabienne (Only one fall today and onto soft grass for a change) Thompson to gain Bronze. Tommy Lawrence, Richie (Hi, how are you doing?) Cunningham, Kenny (These hills are my back garden) MacDonald and Stevie King all ran well taking the Scottish Championship Men’s team prize over the tough Dollar Hill Race course.
Sadly the four ‘team’ guys had beetled off home for a shower and it was left to the supporting cast to collect the gold medals and all those bottles of beer, some of which may not make the distance (well, there are costs you know). Lochaber AC took the Ladies team Prize.
The weather was good in the main with an easterly wind and some rain that gave good support towards Andrew Gannell Hill, but a little tougher on the descent from Kingseat and the run over Bank Hill.
Nine CHs toe’d the line and once again the route avoided Buzzard Wood and went up Dollar Glen with Jethro Lennox leading on the first climb and then throughout the day to take the winner’s rostrum. Tommy was not too far distant on the first climb out of the wood being just off the back of the chasing group of three in eighth position. swapping places on the course he did very well to gain another place over the piece to finish a well deserved seventh. Following in short order through the field were Stevie, Richie, Kenny, Colin (who cycled up from Dumps as a warm-up), Fabienne, Andy (with big smile and lots of encouragement from the spectotors – if it’s tough, you can give up now!), Allan (you’re doing fine, there’s hundreds behind you —- but there’s millions ahead of you) and happy Alison. The long line of runners (?) wended their way up Saddle Hill by a different route again this year selecting one that is probably very near optimum and avoiding most of the bracken.
The supporting cast just about made it along Bank Hill to see Jethro whizz down from Kingseat and vault the gate at the bottom – very impressive, but not to be outdone, Tommy again scored an impressive 9.4 for artistic interpretation for his vault – a one handed one – that really should have had a prize all of it’s own. Changed positions (same as at the finish) showed in the team order for the club as they came down the hill, so the ups and downs of the route had certainly taken their toll while no doubt the tough races of last weekend and midweek had probably depleted some of the normal energy reserves.
Supporting cast exited off Bank Hill directissima to try to catch some of the team finishing, but turned into a busted flush as the one in the yellow jacket got buzzed yet again by the residents of Buzzard Wood and the one on the red jacket couldn’t bear the thought of another attack and bloodied head, so returned via Stirling.
Cakes and goodies afterwards were excellent and worth the trip out in themselves.
Results below and am advised that intermediate splits by marshals were taken and should appear on the results website in due course.
The course has varied over the years with short and long versions, detours round the playing fields when the pavilion was under repair and the two routes via Buzzard Wood and the Dollar Glen, so PBs are difficult to judge. However, the 2006/7/8 races were via the Glen and on that grounds, everyone got a PB and I think that Tommy, Stevie, Fabienne, Andy and Colin were first timers so they’ve set themselves targets for next year.
Individual
1 Jethro lennox ??
7 Tommy Lawrence 01:21.44 5th MS
22 Richie Cunningham 01:30.22 13th MS
28 Kenny MacDonald 01:33.21 6th MV
29 Stevie King 01:33.28 18th MS
74 Fabienne Thompson 01:47.06 3rd FV
75 Andy Sim 01:48.08 29th MS
80 Colin Reynolds 01:51.12 31th MS
87 Alan MacAullay 01:55.09 8th MSV
91 Alison West 01:58.07 1st FSV
104 Finishers
Team
1 Carnegie Harriers 1st Men
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On Saturday Andrew and Neil headed off to Arrochar for the SHR Long Classics series race, The Arrochar Alps.
This is a great race that takes in 4 Munros and if you are not ascending you are descending.
We were treated to a “selection” of weather and being able to navigate was essential as there were a few parts of the course where there were no marked routes and you could hardly see your hand in front of your face.
Results
| 28/06/2008 – Arrochar Alps, 13 miles, 7900ft | ||
|---|---|---|
| 29th | Andy Sim | 05:35:39 |
| 35th | Neil Campbell | 06:34:57 |
Photos HERE
Link to SHR full report, results and more photos HERE
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Seven Hillbillies made the trek down to Dumfries and Galloway for the Durisdeer Hill race. Tommy L , Steve K, Kenny M, Andy S, Alison W, Neil C and Sandy B.
Gregor was shouting, “What took you so long!”
We were rewarded by great weather and a well organised race, new course records with a great feed at the end. Perhaps a theme emerging here. Thanks to Adam Anderson of Carnethy the race organiser for a great race and loads of cakes.
Race Profile (click for larger image)
The registration and cake eating were both in an old church and the latter sitting amongst the headstones of the graveyard. Quite symbolic.
There was a record race entry of 300. Normally it is a much smaller field.
Some Photos from Tommy HERE
I don’t have full results yet. Winners HERE
Thanks to Chris Upson & SHR we have a whole bunch of photos HERE
Full Carnegie results soon.
What is Steve King thinking? HERE
Answers in the comments section
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What a great weekend!!
Andy, Richie and I set off for Jura on Friday morning to arrive at the ferry just as they were closing the bow doors. We managed to talk them into allowing us to push our bikes up the gang plank. First hurdle over.
Once we got to Islay we transferred onto the small ferry for Jura. On getting to Jura the next challenge was cycling the 8 miles along to Craighouse with panniers and a rucksack into a head wind. Job done, we got our tents set up on the football field in front of the Jura Hotel.
Next morning after the compulsory kit checks we were off. It was a fantastic day with great visability and perfect running conditions if only a bit hot but who is complaining. I took quite a few photos on the way round to give you a sense of what the race is like when you are out there.
Here is the race profile.
After all the Hillbillies were in and Richie had won his sub 4 hour glass we decided we needed to replace some of the carbohydrates we had lost during the race. One more night under canvas and we made our way back via the ferries with a few snoozes on the way.
Thanks to all the organisers and the marshals out on the course for putting on a great race and also the locals for putting up with us.
For the record the Hillbillies times were:
24 Richie Cunningham S 3.58.01 161 Neil Campbell V40 6.12.16 173 Andrew Sim S 6.48.10
I’m going back again next year. Who else fancies it?
Photos of the race HERE
Full Race Results HERE
Photos also on Flickr HERE
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