Sunday 21st of August dawned bright and sunny which is great if you are planning to lie in your garden, not so much if you are planning to run up a hill! The Lomonds of Fife Hill Race organised by Lomond Hill Runners was the 11th counter in the Carnegie Harriers Hill Running Grand Prix and is always a popular local race.
The route of the race had to changed this year due to access for parking at the usual start but that didn’t mean this was going to make the race any less challenging and the heat always makes it a little tougher aswell. The race was still covering almost 11 miles with a climb of over 2,700 feet and attracted 116 runners this year. 12 Carnegie Harriers decided they were up to the challenge looking forward to gaining more of those valuable Grand Prix points. Great to see Mr Paul Hutton back to racing again after suffering from an achillies problem for almost a year. Welcome back Paul, we missed you! 
The new route was tough from the word ‘go’ with everyone having to work very hard heading up through the forrest towards East Lomond. This whole section is just a continual up until you turn at East and feel atlast that gravity is giving you a helping hand. What’s great about this section of the race though is that the runners all pass each other going out and back so there’s lots of shouts of encouragement which helps to spur you on.
Upon reaching Maiden Castle this is where the route differed and we took the narrow path that led the runners along the low route towards West Lomond. This was a good runnable section and by this time the runners were well spread out. A really steep scrabbly climb up the gulley and then up to West, straight back down heading down the super steep, bum sliding descent towards the checkpoint at the Bonnet Stane (or stone depending how you speak!!). There was a lot of daredevil kamikaze sliding going on here but with places to be gained there was no holding back.
After a short climb back up which would have been the orignal race start runners then faced the traverse right round the hill side heading back towards the forrest on ontowards the finish.
All of the Carnegie Harriers had good runs but a mention must go to Tom Bowie who won the Male Vet 60 category. This was certainly a very popular win as the applause in the hall was huge! Well done Tom! 
| 21/08/2011 – Lomonds of Fife Hill Race, 11 miles, 3100ft | ||
|---|---|---|
| 40th | Kevin Davie | 01:54:39 |
| 54th | Barry Davie | 02:00:19 |
| 59th | Tom Bowie | 02:01:19 *1st Male 60+ |
| 70th | Stephen Greer | 02:04:57 |
| 73rd | Andy Sim | 02:06:37 |
| 93rd | Paul Hutton | 02:16:28 |
| 94th | Allan Macaulay | 02:16:40 |
| 96th | Lynne Bennet | 02:17:26 |
| 99th | Colin Reynolds | 02:18:15 |
| 106th | Alison West | 02:26:36 |
| 107th | Melanie Sinclair | 02:29:47 |
| 114th | Morna Fleming | 02:39:19 |
Full results for this race can be found here: http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceResults.aspx?RaceID=RA-0196&Year=2011
The Wilderness Response Team were providing emergency first aid cover at the bottom of the super steep gully and were also at the finish of the race making sure all the runners were ok, and taking pictures at the same time. Thanks guys you know we all appreciate your support!
Some of the pictures were also taken by Mark Harris’s son Tom who many of us spotted out and about on the course. The full set of pictures can be seen here: http://web.me.com/harrismark1/Hill_running_and_the_outdoors/hill_running_photos/Pages/The_Lomonds_of_Fife.html Thanks Tom!
Well done to everyone who took part and Happy Hill Running!
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The end of August is a busy time for those Hill Running Carnegie Harriers with 2 Grand Prix races in 2 weekends.
Sunday 21st of August is The Lomonds of Fife Hill race. This is race number 11 in the Carnegie Harriers Hill Running Grand Prix and is a category AM race. Organised by Lomond Hill runners the race starts at 1pm with registration at Strathmiglo Village Hall, with entries on the day available. This years race route however has been changed and no longer starts or finishes in the usual field but instead starts approximately 2km up the tarred path leading towards the hills from Strathmiglo. Many of us will know this path from the Devil’s Burden or even the Tour of Fife Chicken Run.
The race is approximately 16 km long with a climb of over 760 metres making it a tough race with lots of ups, downs, runable sections and the notoriously steep descent towards the Bannet Stane. Last years runners also had to contend with scorching sun beating down aswell so lets all pray for atleast a little cloud cover this year.
For more information about the race route visit: http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceDetails.aspx?RaceID=RA-0196
Saturday 27th August 2011 is the Ochils 2000 race. This is a category AL race covering over 28 km with a total climb of over 1500 metres which takes in all 10 of the Ochils peaks and Dumyat aswell.
The race starts at 12 noon from Glensherrup car park but registration is from 9.30 till 10.30 at the Gannochy Sports Centre at Stirling University with buses leaving from 10.30 to take runners to the start of the race. The organisers, Ochil Hill Runners, do accept entries on the day BUT only if the race number has not been reached. Pre-entry is advised to guarantee a place and also your seat on the bus.
More information can be found here: http://www.ochilhillrunners.org.uk/static.aspx?id=o2000R
Both of these races are local to us so let’s see lots of Carnegie Harriers vests illuminating them!
Happy Hill Running!
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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!
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1 Great Weekend = 2 Fantastic Events! The weekend of Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st July 2011 is what Hill Runners look forward too.
Saturday 30th July 2011 is the next counting race in the Carnegie Harriers Hill Running Grand Prix is Ben Rinnes, this is also one of the SHR Scottish Championship Races and the last opportunity to get a AL hill race if you are trying to gain one of those legendary mugs.
This race which makes up part of the Dufftown Highland Games http://www.dufftownhighlandgames.org/ The Highland Games start at 11am and has Heavy, Light and Track Events, Tug O’War, a Special Race for Overseas Visitors, Highland Dancing, Massed Pipe Bands and Children’s Events with the Hill Race starting at 12 noon. Afternoon Teas and a Beer Tent are available and there are numerous Side Stalls. The Pipe Bands beat the retreat in The Square at 6pm. until approximately 6-45pm so this really will be a fantastic day out for bringing the family aswell.
The hill race is an out and back course which covers over 22 kilometres and has an ascent of almost 1,600 metres and is very runnable with good terrain and easy route finding for most of the way. It also starts and finishes with a lap of the sports track which is very typical of these Highland games hill races, so don’t forget to smile and wave for the spectators and the cameras!
Dufftown is situated at the top of the Cairngorms, so is approximately over 3 hours driving to get there. There are campsites in the local area if you don’t want to drive up and back in a day or car share could be organised via the Carnegie Harriers forum.
More information about the Hill Race can be found here: http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceDetails.aspx?RaceID=RA-0082
This will be a great day out so looking forward to seeing lot’s of you up there!
Sunday 31st July sees the return of the Callander Highland Games Hill Race.
This race starts at 1.30pm and looks like lot’s of fun as it is also part of the Highland Games! Entry is being made online at http://www.entrycentral.com/index.php?festivalID=215
2 Great races – 1 weekend! Let’s all plan to do both! We can manage that! 
Race for Cakes! Race for Burgers! Race to Get to the Beer Tent! Hill Runners know how to have fun! 
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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!
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The only topic of conversation on everyone’s lips on Saturday was the heat! Before, during and after the race that was all any of us could talk about! And we were all mad enough to consider trying to run up a hill in it but that’s hill runners for you!
Saturday 2nd July 2011 brought us Dollar Hill Race organised by Ochil Hill Runners. This was the 9th counter in the Carnegie Harriers Hill Running Grand Prix and nothing, not even the boiling hot weather would stop us from taking part. 13 Carnegie Harriers decided that even though it was prime sunbathing and BBQ ing weather, they would rather go and enjoy a fantastic race in the beautiful sun drenched Ochils.
This race measures almost 9.4 miles long and has an ascent of 2,900 feet which takes in 5 of the summits in the Ochils. This race can be a navigational challenge if there is low cloud or mist but we certainly didn’t have to worry about that this weekend. In fact there was so much sun that most of us were praying for a little cloud just to help take away some of the scorching heat.
It starts at Dollar Accademy and winds its way up through Dollar Glen towards the first summit. The first 2 1/2 miles of this race are all up hill which is tough going, but once you eventually reach the summit of White Wisp you get a chance to stretch your legs and have a good run. Its a very undulating course, which is demanding on the legs but once you reach the last top of Kings Seat its downhill all the way home.
There were exactly 100 runners taking part in Saturdays race and the Carnegie Harriers did themselves proud. Sandy ‘where’s the camera’ Bennet was first Harrier home in the amazing time of 1:38:48. New Kid on the Block Nick Weir who was making his debut in the Hill Grand Prix, had a fantastic run to finish in 36th place. Lots of vying for position between the other hillbillies with only minutes between most of them and in the Ladies race Lynne Bennet had a really strong run, proving she too is back on form after suffering from injuries last year, taking almost 12 minutes out of Melanie Sinclair. We were also delighted to welcome another Lady Harrier to the Hills, Angela ‘I need a map and compass’ Dixon who is a regular orienteerer but wanted to dip her toes into hill racing aswell and what a race to do it with.
The Carnegie Harrier Ladies scouped the Ladies Team prize which they were absolutely delighted with and just shows what can be achieved by having a strong Harrier contingent at these races. They were rewarded with bottles of real ale, made from seaweed and heather! Slightly odd but its still a prize and we appreciate the recoginition of a job well done!
| 02/07/2011 – Dollar Hill Race | ||
|---|---|---|
| 17th | Sandy Bennet | 01:38:48 |
| 27th | Steven King | 01:42:07 |
| 36th | Nick Weir | 01:44:59 |
| 43rd | Barry Davie | 01:48:01 |
| 53rd | Bill Duff | 01:51:19 *3rd Male 60+ |
| 55th | Kevin Davie | 01:52:13 |
| 65th | Andy Sim | 01:57:39 |
| 66th | Lynne Bennet | 01:58:25 |
| 69th | Allan Macaulay | 01:59:51 |
| 71st | Colin Reynolds | 02:03:25 |
| 83rd | Melanie Sinclair | 02:10:31 |
| 94th | Bill Fairley | 02:23:26 |
| 98th | Angela Dixon | 02:50:04 |
The photos of the Harriers were all taken by a member of the Wilderness Response Team who were providing emergency cover at the small gully on the South side of Kingseat which was part of the final descent and can occasional cause problems for tired runners. They are a non-profit organisation and provide advanced casualty care for competitors in hill races and ultra events, inbetween taking photos of course! ;-) Most recently they had a strong presence at the West Highland Way race which Carnegie Harriers also had runners competing. They are on Facebook and would love it if people ’liked’ their page and let them know how they’ve done at the hill races. Great bunch of guys and they support us so we should support them to. Click here to go to their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Wilderness-Response-Team-Rescue-Emergency-Care-/168233243210362
One last THANK YOU must go to both our ‘Harrier on the Hill’ Phil Smithard who provided excellent support both when we were going up the first climb and also on the homeward stretch and also to Kirsty Baird who was at the start and finish to send us on our merry way and to congratulate us on finishing! We always appreciate support and we may even have gone some way to pursuading Kirsty to try a hill race. We shall see!
RACE FOR CAKES! RACE FOR THRILLS! RACE THOSE HILLS!
Happy Hill Running!
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Saturday 25th June 2011 was the 50th Anniversary running of the Eildon 2 Hills Race organised by Gala Harriers, which takes place every year down in Melrose. This was the 8th 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 4th 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
| 25/06/2011 – Eildon 2 Hills Race, Melrose | ||
|---|---|---|
| 52nd | Sandy Bennet | 00:35:07 |
| 63rd | Steven King | 00:36:16 |
| 78th | Peter Simpson | 00:36:54 |
| 90th | Colin Reid | 00:38:13 |
| 100th | Kevin Davie | 00:39:03 |
| 116th | Bill Duff | 00:40:19 *4th Male 60+ |
| 134th | Colin Reynolds | 00:41:28 |
| 136th | Tom Bowie | 00:41:34 |
| 144th | Kieran Morgan | 00:42:16 |
| 156th | Allan Macaulay | 00:43:40 |
| 159th | Lynne Bennet | 00:44:06 |
| 164th | Gordon Campbell | 00:44:25 |
| 199th | Melanie Sinclair | 00:48:54 |
| 203rd | Ken Daniels | 00:50:22 |
| 209th | Bill Fairley | 00:52:00 |
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
| 26/06/2011 – Falkland Hill Race, 3 miles, 1200ft | ||
|---|---|---|
| 9th | Sandy Bennet | 00:24:21 |
| 19th | Bill Duff | 00:28:39 *1st Male 60+ |
| 30th | Lynne Bennet | 00:32:14 *3rd Female Senior |
| 36th | Melanie Sinclair | 00:33:15 *4th Female Senior |
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!
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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!
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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.
Filed under Hill Running by
12 dedicated and slightly mad Hillbillies travelled down to the Borders on Saturday 5th June to take part in Yetholm Hill Race! This race organised by Norham Running Club http://www.norhamrc.co.uk/ measuring almost 8 miles and over 2,500 feet of climbing was the 7th race in the Carnegie Harriers Hill Running Grand Prix and also a SHR Championship race. So not just points at stake but also one of the highly desired and very rare SHR Mugs!
The weather was fairly miserable and there was concern that like previous years the cloud would be low and this would make navigating round more difficult. However, the gods were kind and other than a fairly heavy shower just before the race started, the visibility was good, the temperatures were just right and the course was exceptionally well marshalled which ensured that no runners were lost forever in the hills and everyone had a good, if pretty hard, run!
Kevin Davie leading the way for the Harriers up the big climb!
The course was definitely ‘undulating’ with what felt like a hundred ups, but also had lots of fantastic running aswell. Absolutely beautiful part of the country.
And what ho!! I hear you cry! That marshall looks very familiar!
Yes you are right! That is none other than our very own club President and Captain Macaulay’s good lady wife! He knows how to treat a lady, none of this nice meals and flowers nonsense, just get her working and stood at the top of a cold, wet, windy hill for the afternoon! ;-) And a very good job she and all the other marshalls did aswell!
Lots of vying for finish position between the Hillbillies at this race but Kevin Davie held them of to bring it home for the Harriers, and then it was a closely fought contest for the next 3 spots (Colin Reynolds, Bill Duff and Tom Bowie) with only seconds between them. Similarily Morna Fleming and Bill Fairley fought right to the finish line with Bill just pipping her at the post.
| 05/06/2011 – Yetholm Hill Race | ||
|---|---|---|
| 83rd | Kevin Davie | 01:27:14 |
| 99th | Colin Reynolds | 01:30:13 |
| 100th | Bill Duff | 01:30:30 |
| 101st | Tom Bowie | 01:30:34 |
| 129th | Allan Macaulay | 01:36:33 |
| 147th | Melanie Sinclair | 01:40:22 |
| 156th | Kieran Morgan | 01:43:30 |
| 159th | Lynne Bennet | 01:44:11 |
| 161st | Stephen Greer | 01:44:20 |
| 168th | Ken Daniels | 01:47:36 *1st Male 70+ |
| 178th | Bill Fairley | 01:56:05 |
| 179th | Morna Fleming | 01:56:06 |
Excellent day out! Excellent Result! Let the battle recommence at the next race!
Run Forever! Run for Cakes! Hillbillies Rule the World!
Hill Photos taken by Bill Fairmaner who very kindly let me use them, the rest were taken by Kevin cause he runs faster than the rest of us!
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