cc said...

Cheers David, nice summary write-up of the whole thing, and glad someone put pen to paper, to allow me to add some photos. (Apologies to folk in the latter half of the field, for despite bringing along three changes of batteries, the darn camera still died half way through)

I had my 'usual' spot of marshalling at the summit Trig of Auchineden Hill, but also as usual, stopped off just by 'The Whangie' to catch the racers on the outward leg. Big Jethro had a big lead, accompanied with his trademark slaver. (I've got lots of photos of the big man over the years at races and I'm sure there is some exponential relationship between the harder he is trying and the longer the string !?) Anyway, the J man was long gone, then the others came up with Angela in 4th (if memory serves me right) and our own wee Nige in 5th, with report author David in 6th, etc, etc, etc. After a wee bit, me and my SHIT company (ie Mark McColl of SHIT) headed up the last little bit to the summit, where we had to very politely ask the MRT to move all their gear that was lying around the Trig, to a safer distance, as a ton plus of hill runners were coming this way. This they did most pronto as they said they didn't want to be held responsible for any accidents and something about health&safety? Thoroughly jolly people, who just moved off in time, while the big J boy came over the ridge and rounded the concrete pillar. Del (Mark's altered ego) and I waited a little bit and then saw the following pack, to which I was more than impressed that it was being led by the Mudge Factor in 2nd position over the summit. (Does this lassie know no bounds - like a fine wine, getting even better as the years go on!) Nige and David were still in contention, and even better, a certain Bonny Man from the far wilds of Forfar, who availed us of his presence on a rare trip west... After a while, and then a bit of a gap, Del and I decided that everyone was defo over the top, waved bye to the MRT, and started collecting the markers in, down to the end of the Whangie, where Keith who had ran uo from the far end (landrover track) said, get back up there, as there was one last group of six folk. Thinking a piss take, Del and I collected in the last of the markers down to the guys, where they told us it was no joke, as there were still runners out. SHIT !£$%&*Despite only 200 yards from the top, Mark managed to sprint off in the wrong direction, whilst I got my 15st going at full tilt, managing a jog up hill in my walking boots (for at least 30 secs) Del finally realised his compass challenged ways, and came sprinting by as we neared the trig, just as the first 2 women arrived - phew - bloody close! I had a heart attack whilst Del pointed them down the slope to Keith and Stevie again, then managed to get my pulse jusy below 200 when the last four Jog Scotland women arrived. I always love it when folk ask "How far to go?", and although you don't want to lie, you have to say something that will keep them encouraged, so I blurted out, "Oh, just about a mile, not far!" At which point said ladies started cursing their 'Jog Scotland' leader who had roped them into this and was at the finish, ie not running (Yes Jim Robertson, on your head be it! Good luck in WHW btw.) Well done ladies, on what must have been a bit of a change to jogging on the pavements of the Vale of Leven. Everyone down safely, and a good end to another Westerlands production. Big thanks to Dave Calder for all the organisation and the other troops who all helped out... till next year :-)

Saturday 28th April 2007 12.42am

Mark McColl said...

Altered Ego ? Me ? I've never had an Ego son....juts wait till I see your face on Mon..

Saturday 28th April 2007 10.31am