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.

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

This is a really scary story and reminds us why we carry full body cover and are aware of the weather.

Full story HERE

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

Taken from The SHR site

Full results HERE

More Photos HERE

The positions in the Long Series after 5 Races HERE

4 Hillbillies, Alison, Kenny, Paul & Neil, turned out on Wednesday evening to take part in another of the SHR Bog & Burn series. The Turnhouse race is a short sharp hill race with a good finish.

It is a good race for next year if anyone fancies a short fast hill race on fairly easy terain.

Race Profile

Thanks to our temporary photographer Colin R for the photos below.

Results

36 Kenny MacDonald v40 00:33:18
48 Paul Hutton m 00:37:17
50 Alison West fv50 00:37:29
55 Neil Campbell v40 00:38:27

Thanks to SHR for the following

Full Results HERE

More Photos HERE 

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

flickr photos

A great turnout of Hillbillies was seen last night. I think there was 15 or more including the Ladies (3).

Great running conditions and a good field for this short, sharp midweek race.

Here are the Carnegie results

More photos HERE

More Photos from SHR HERE

Full results HERE

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

Hi Guys,

Alva Games hill race is on tomorrow for those not having anything on. A torturous 1 mile, almost vertical with a fair bit of scrambling included and then some sledging back down on rear end (recommend cycle shorts or close fitting shorts as bracken and grass has a tendancy to go where it is not supposed to.) Race start around 4pm and is free. Entry to games, which start at 1pm is £5. Best to enter before 3pm and this allows you to watch how it should be done by juniors!! This race alway attracts around 30 from England as it is a BOFRA event. Prize money good too.

Lets see some more bright vests there other than Judy and I

Garry

THE LAW BREAKER HILL RACE

Carnegie Harriers in association with Run Ecosse are pleased to announce that a new hill race will take place in the Ochil’s this Boxing Day. The race which is the idea of club member and Run Ecosse owner Andrew Wright is called The Law Breaker and will take place at 11am on Friday 26th December from Tillicoultry. The route will follow a 5km course with an ascent of 594 metres from Tillicoultry Glen to the summit of The Law and back. Race entries will be taken on the day from 9am at the Centenary Hall, Hamilton Street, Tillicoultry and awards will be presented in all categories. The race website can be found HERE and we hope that there will be a good turnout at our new event. Further details will be announced shortly. Run Ecosse stock top products for runners, triathletes and orienteers. The shop is located at 202 Grahams Road, Falkirk and their website can be found HERE.