Dumyat Dash from the Middle of the Pack

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!