Grandtully 9th April

After Knockfarrel on the Saturday thought I'd go help Stuart Simpson out as a marshall at this race as I was absolutely knackered. However Stuart didn't need any more help and talked me into running. Gordon Robinson appeared with tales of horrendous injury and not racing for 9 months but looked in good form and this proved to be the case.

Race began and quickly Dan Whitehead, Stuart Simpson, and Des Crowe pushed away and this proved to be the finishing order with Dan setting a new course record of 26:09. Dawn Scott was 1st lady in a female course record just over 31 minutes despite having fought through the glaur to be 1st lady at Knockfarrel the day before. Gordon had a storming run and came in about 30 seconds or so behind her. Then a long way back behind loads of fit young canoeists and a few other hill runners but thankfully ahead of the team of lads with bermuda shorts and gutties .....came myself.

On the way down the hill I thought I was shifting pretty well only to come across Manny and his youngest son Duncan ......they'd arrived late but Manny was still taking Duncan round the junior course .....just what you need when you're on the tired side is Manny shouting "He's catching you .....the wee man is reeling you in ....you're toast !" The 7 year old luckily relented and let me go and I managed to potter on to the finish.

Really good wee race, very laid back in its organisation and set-up and I can really recommend it. Stuart Simpson does a great job, his prize-giving technique is a one-off and has to be experienced. Young Gorman even managed to blag a prize by fair means or foul and I hope Des managed to explain to Rosie how he managed to get absolutely hammered after the race.

Posted by Brian Brennan on Tue 11 Apr 2006 | comments are closed

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