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Criffel Hill Race
18th March 2007
This race was more memorable for the white-knuckle drive to get to the startline, rather than the actual race.
Having decided not to bother going, and then setting off ridiculously late, and then finding that the A701 was closed, and then discovering it was pouring with snow, and then getting lost in Dumfries, it seemed unlikely I'd make the start.
Risky driving got me to New Abbey at 12:58 and in 90 seconds I was changed and ready and running, completely drained of adrenalin from the drive.
The route was cut short due to the dire weather, so thankfully we only needed to visit the first cairn. As usual, Brian Marshall was well in the lead on the mud-bath descent. I descended very wimpishly and slowly, but not as wimpishly and slowly as Nige and Mark Whitelaw who I passed in the firebreak. Adam Anderson duly passed me but I got him back on the road latching onto Mark's roadspeed as he sped past.
Thankfully the ordeal was all over in 43 minutes. Conditions on the hill were the most unpleasant I've ever raced in.
Posted by Chris Upson on Tue 20 Mar 2007 | 5 comments
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Comments
Nigel said...
Folks - it was a long drive for a short(ened) race but boy was i glad to turn around and get back down the hill as soon as possible. Apart from hypothermia, an unrunnably muddy course with ankle height hidden wire fence, and going the wrong way on the forest track it was ok. I lost all intentions of racing in the biting cold going up and all intentions of running in the quagmire of a descent. All in all a classic hill race. Cheers to Pete, Elsie and the MRT for their sufferance and Brian Marshall for the bottle of beer.
Tuesday 20th March 2007 2.06pm
Chris said...
Photos of New Abbey
Tuesday 20th March 2007 5.20pm
JasonsWarmNow said...
Well done for turning out on a horrible day. Maybe the frozen brains helped or you wouldn't have been running!
Tuesday 20th March 2007 7.25pm
Hamilton said...
Well,thought I was going to be early-you know how that's always the way?But........ in short, plain late.On the detour it was obvious that it 'aint going to happen.Anyway,someone was happy.Namely,Pete.Ah! good you can marshall as they come in (when I arrived at 1.15. Can't even claim to be injured and marshalling two week-ends in a row. Be careful,be very careful.By the sound of it chose a very good day to be late.I too have to thank Brian Marshall for that bottle of beer.
Wednesday 21st March 2007 11.01am
Xtreme Element said...
Pics of the race can be seen at http://xtreme-element.blogspot.com/
I have lots more so if you're interested in a pic of yourself drop me a line at xelement@hotmail.co.uk and I'll try and send you one. Tellme what you were wearing, race number etc so that I can fond the correct pic.
Cheers
Wednesday 28th March 2007 3.43pm