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Simon Triger Memorial Dumgoyne Handicap →

On a warm sultry evening, most people's times were down on my estimates, no doubt due to the sweltering heat...

Not so young Alastair Graves, who marked his Dumgoyne debut by starting last, finishing first, and posting a scorching time of 39:08, knocking more than 2 minutes off the record set by Tim Austin in 2009.

Val Houston was fastest female on the night with 50:50, just 16 seconds off the record set by Ellie in 2009.

Many thanks for a great turnout of 20 runners, and thanks as always to Drew and Margaret for time-keeping and handicaps!

Posted by Chris Upson on Wed 23 May 2012 | 2 comments

Category handicap races

SIPR →

Unexpectedly, I ended up with an entry in this year's Scottish Islands Peaks Race, running with Graham Kelly. SIPR is a combined sailing and running event: three sailors and two runners (who run as a pair). The race starts in Oban with a short loop around the hill above the harbour (to spread the field out for the start), we then sails to Mull. The runners do a 38km run up Ben More and back, then sail all night to Jura. On Jura, run the three Paps, then sail around the Mull of Kintyre to Lamlash on Arran. A final run up Goatfell, then sail to the finish at Troon.

It was a race of two halves for us. We had a crack team of sailors in the Cruiser (=slowest) boat class, and they pulled out all the stops on the night sail from Mull to Jura. Dodging around islands and semi-submerged rocks in the pitch dark. We did a solid (tough!) run on Jura, then got back to find the wind had dropped and tide was against us, so the boats were going nowhere! Boats who had left Jura before us were seen drifting gently in the wrong direction. We did a brief recce to check if there was any breeze out along the coast, but got nowhere and resigned ourselves to staying in the harbour until morning. So, we had a pub meal and watched some footy -- in the middle of a race where earlier seconds seemed to count!

Things started to fall apart the next morning. The captain's son decided to pop back to the pub around midnight, and was never seen again! He evidently found some local lass, and turned off his mobile. So, when the wind picked up at 4am we couldn't sail. By 7:30 we'd had enough, and made the decision to leave the bugger behind -- put money for him to take a ferry in a plastic bag under a rock, and caught the last of a dying breeze. Too late, unfortunately, as the wind died after an hour and the tide started to turn. Rowing was no longer an option, and we had no real choice but to turn on the motor and officially retire from the sailing part. After further adventures (water in the diesel, catching the propeller on a lobster pot rope, circling in an ebbing tide) we reached Arran at midnight. Had a fantastic, exhausted night run to the summit of Goatfell in the dark, and then motored to the finish in Troon.

A strange and challenging race. 100km and five summits, with bugger all sleep and a few erratic meals in between. We were lucky with the weather (fine and warm), but unlucky with the wind -- and with one of the crew! Graham was a great running partner, always positive and supportive. A race where the results matter less than the adventure, and there is sure to be some of that.

Posted by John Hamer on Tue 22 May 2012 | 5 comments

Category long distance

Goatfell Hill Race 2012 →

19th May 2012

Results | Photos | More Photos

The Adventure Show were on Arran to film this year's Goatfell race, and presenter Deziree Wilson was also running - fast, as it turned out!

Es Tresidder and Jasmin Paris took the top trophies on a fab day for racing - started cool, sun came out for the final road section. Brian Marshall and Alan Smith got the men's V40 and V50 prizes.

Captain Chris was first Westie home, then Alasdair Duke with a huge PB of around 9 mins. I felt rubbish and had a very mixed day - fast start, awful climb, smooth descent to win back some places, and dead legs on the road. Got cramp in my calf on the descent just as I saw Brian Brennan. Maybe I'm allergic. Helen Macpherson and Peter Midgley were neck-and-neck at the summit, and Pat McLaughlin was the final Westie home.

Beers afterwards then food courtesy of Calmac, followed by a relaxing (and cheap) train ride home. A grand day out, and a bargain too!

Posted by Johnston Orr on Sat 19 May 2012 | 3 comments

Category Hill Race

Ben Lomond Junior Fun Run 2012 →

As the saying goes, never work with children or animals... Well, I work with animals and at home made the mistake of letting the children outnumber us. Trying to get three kiddies dressed in running clothes, spare clothes for when they inevitably fall in a bog or Loch Lomond and out the door meant that we were running more than fashionably late for the Ben Lomond Junior fun run. Driving faster along the road to Rowardennan to make up time was an even worse plan as the youngest was car sick just as we arrived to see the fun run lined up to start. Out the car, grab wailing small child, promise to carry her if she gets tired on the run to get her to agree (fingers crossed behind my back while making said promise), rush for the start and we are off.

Well the kids had a great time and it was me that was sweating at the finish. The route laid out by Don is a great one, with the descent taking in a couple of boggy patches and a stream crossing. The middle kiddie lost her trainer in one boggy patch and that made her race, with laughing the rest of the way. The smallest one ran the whole way in what was her first hill race, bar some uphill walking (well her dad walks in his races...). Then the sprint for the finish and the reward of TWO chocolates and an orange juice each from the organisers and their smiles were even bigger. Plus a certificate to be proudly carried around for days to come.

This is a great event and a brilliant way to get kids keen on hill running and thanks to Don Reid and Martin Hyman for organising it. Particularly to Martin for being so patient and enthusiastic with the little ones. Long may the fun run continue!

Posted by Jacques Penderis on Mon 14 May 2012 | 1 comment

Category Fun run

Ben Lomond 2012 →

Results

Well what a fantastic day out and well organised race! The first thing to say is thanks to all those Westies marshalling at the parking, start and on the hill and making it possible for us to run. I tried to say hello to as many as possible, but you may have noticed I was struggling to breathe a little!

The race started at a fair lick (I was caught out at Dumyat on the Wed before, being held up at the back so I was determined not to make that mistake again). There was soon a regular stream of people passing me on the way up, but I tried to hold on to their tails and let them drag me up, not sure if it worked but at least I stayed far enough ahead to avoid my usual racing experience of being effortlessly passed by Don and Murdo on the way up! Once we were through the trees and onto the open hill I seemed to be in a Westies free zone with no-one else near me that I could see. The weather turned a bit nippy at the top, but luckily most of the snow had melted in Friday's rain and the ground was just soft enough for some good running. Apologies to all if I did not stay to say hello at the top, I was freezing and keen to get going down.

The route change is a great improvement, with the climb up the path more pleasant and running down the steep slope great fun. I topped out in 79th place (I think) and had a great run on the way day passing 13 places without too hairy a run to finish in 66th place (well no fall this year anyway which is always an improvement!). At the end I just ran out of puff, I could see three runners a little way in front of me through the trees, but couldn't get the legs to speed up to catch them. Finally a great hello from Drew and Margaret at the finish, was I relieved to see them, especially not having to sprint as there was no-one immediately behind me.

Thank you again to all those Westies who helped organise the day, what a fantastic running club! And well done to the 12 other Westies who ran on the day, especially to Alan, Chris and Ewan who appear to have had a great tussle up at the front.

Posted by Jacques Penderis on Mon 14 May 2012 | 6 comments

Category Hill Race

Records Galore at Dumyat →

A huge gaggle of westies turned up in Stirling Uni for the 2nd Bog and Burn of 2012, 22 by my count. Weather was a welcome break from the normal Scottish spring of rain/sleet/hail and wind with some people even reportedly spotting a brief glimpse of the sun. The good conditions led to two records being broken, Murray Strain ran a new course record and it was the largest ever field for this race. Results

This is now my 2nd time doing this race... so I knew about the tight corner and gap through the wall just after the start. Despite this I was looking the wrong direction when the hooter went and had to really fight for position up the road to make it through the wall before a queue developed. Down the nice little path and then into the forest of hell I just held my position. I managed to run the entire section through the trees but my legs were in agony. When we left the forest I got a glimpse of what was going on with the leaders. Murray already had about 200m on second (or about 50s). Everybody else was racing for 2nd even though we were only ~2km into an 8km race. Along the rough path I was trying to run hard off the top of each small climb (Nigel you would have been proud) which meant I was catching a few places and reached the top in 10th. Coming down I got caught by a big group of 8 or 9 but managed to hang onto their coat tails and didn't lose much time. Thanks to the 21 other westies for giving me shouts of encouragement as I came down and pointing me in the direction of the best lines. Through the forest I was working very hard but knew I had a little left to give for the last short climb. Up that climb I passed 2 and was right behind another 3... Onto the road and I was working at 100% passed one, passed another... and then caught another just as we reached the finish chute. Sprinted for the line beating my time from last year by 30s. Just after I stopped running the cramps started... I guess I paced it well so. Really happy with my result though.

Chris also had a good run getting in ahead of Alan (who managed to out descend him last year), he also showed his supreme consistency in running exactly the same time as last year.

I can't wait to hear about Brain Brennan and John Quinn's battle... Finishing on exactly the same time.

Posted by Niall McAlinden on Fri 11 May 2012 | 5 comments

Category Hill Race

Strathkinness to Blebocraigs 2012 →

Strathkinness to Blebocraigs

2nd May 2012

Race info including results and course map

Having been garrisoned to the Kingdom of Fife of late, I’ve been a bit out of the Westy loop, so was delighted to see this wee race taken place last Wednesday evening.

In a few weeks time, some colleagues and myself will be running the Edinburgh Marathon Relays – it’s an expensive race but there’s a staff v. students rivalry to pay for and that’s priceless. So ¾ of my team – Alex, Rory and myself, turned out for a bit of race prep.

Strathkinness is a small village outside of St Andrews set in truly scenic countryside. The race organisers call this an “undulating course”. I’d dispute that. There are two devilish hills to encounter along the way. Subtle it ain’t. Starting in Strathkinness, it’s a quick “What’s your name? Where do you come from?” and £3 registration fee at the church hall. This equally reflected the start, no airs or graces for the Fifers, just a “Right then, watch oot for motors and… er… aye… Go!”

Off we went… Fifers, Taysiders, Unattacheds and one Westy. I started off a bit too quickly, possibly due to one runner beside me who sounded like he was wheezing a bit too much for the first few hundred metres. This made me feel a bit tense and could also be down to me not participating in any races for a while. Anyway, the first section towards Blebocraigs was pleasant as we raced down a country road, whizzing past a wonderful plethora of smells and a group of indifferent cattle.

8 mins in we were off the road and up a gravel path hitting the first challenging hill head on. Tackling this, my heart sank. I did stick in but lost a good few places and was overtaken by my colleague, Rory. Reaching the top was something of a relief and the field was noticeably spread out now. We then followed through a muddied, puddled route, which gave way to a track through Kemback Wood. From here I began to relax and felt more comfortable, taking back a few more places. Reaching Blebocraigs we turned back towards Strathkinness along a country road, which eventually led to the second hill, short and sweet it was much better than my first hilly encounter. Bounding over some fields for the concluding stretch, this part involved a bit of sidestepping to avoid some large murky looking puddles. Careful not to slip so close to the finish I sprinted towards a crowd who were forming in the distance. The end! Done! Finished! Relief…

I really enjoyed this race and will certainly recommend it to anyone who happens to be in the area. Bit of a trek from Glasgow for a 4.5 mile race but nice to run somewhere different for a change and there were few if any motors to watch out for! Back at the church hall there was a welcoming spread of sandwiches, cakes and tea for the runners, which was a nice touch and echoes much of what Grim said before in his friendly Fifers memo.

Final results:

1. Zach Delaney Fife AC 24.51 MJU20
2. Chris Russell Fife AC 25.16 MV40
3. Neil Graham St Andrews Uni 25.35 MS

25. Morgan Windram-Geddes Fife AC 28.55 FS

46. Ciaran McDonald Westerlands 31.16 MS

Posted by Ciaran McDonald on Thu 10 May 2012 | 2 comments

Category road race

Stuc 'a Chroin 2012 →

Stuc a' Chroin -- the race I love to hate. Start with a long slog up the forest track, followed by a walk-jog up Glen Ample with its rewarding but brief descent, and then the day really gets underway with the seemingly endless climb up Beinn Each. By the time I reach the summit I'm just about ready to sign a pledge never to go hill running again. The "ridge" across to Stuc is a technical challenge, rough enough to prevent settling into any sort of rhythm. It's only on the return past Bealach nan Cabar, with a grassy slope, that I get a chance to stretch out and pick up a few places. Glen Ample provides a late challenge, and then it's all down hill to the finish. One by one, I pass exhausted runners as my legs find unexpected reserves of energy. I pick up six places before the final turn, and come in at 3:38, a seven minutes improvement over last year.

It's been a good day for many, although Prasad's victory by 14-minutes pushed all the percentage times down. Manny posts an impressive PB of 2:28 (and second M40), just ahead of Iain Stewart (2:31). James is third Westie home, in 3:09, then Murdo (3:20, first M50!) followed shortly after by David Aikin (3:33) and Alasdair Duke (3:36) before I brought up the tail.

After soaking my legs and a ritual immersion in the Balvag, I enjoy some late afternoon sunshine with a satisfying feeling of tiredness. It may be excessively marked and marshalled, but Stuc is still a great race.

Posted by John Hamer on Mon 7 May 2012 | 6 comments

Category Hill Race

Black Crock 5, Kinghorn →

This was my first run of any kind since the Darnley/Dams run a month ago, and I didn't want to miss a grand evening out in Fife. However, the Fates were conspiring to turn a commuter rail trip to Kinghorn into something more problematic: more like Hamilton (Seemples!) trying to get to Edinburgh on public transport. Waverley station at 6pm was a sea of anxious faces as Fife trains were cancelled or re-routed due to damaged power-lines. However, the 6.15 train miraculously set off and arrived on time, disgorging Boggies and joggers in time for the 7.45pm start. I'd been hatching a plan for the race: it's about half roads and promenade, and half tidal sands. Passing the Black Rock, it was clear that the tide was exceptionally low - so my plan (to run barefoot on the sands) could be achieved. Off we went down to the beach, when my lace became untied and I struggled to re-tie it. Bad move - a sea of runners swept past. However, stashing my shoes below the doggy-doo bin by the beach, I found my (bare) feet and stamina to be in good shape. For the next 2 miles round the Rock, I gained places steadily, and indeed decided to continue barefoot up the prom towards the finish, to ironic cheers and snapshots by the locals. "Zola Budd!" shouted one. "Fergus Murray!"(my barefoot running role-model in the 60s)I shouted back. However, the organisers had tagged our feet for finish times, so I lost more time trying to re-shoe near the finish (where were my Reebok zippers when I needed them?). For the final 200m climb, off came the shoes and I kicked them across the sensor mat at the finish. Post-race was the usual rammy, as tired runners and locals searched in vain for shared experience in a booze den called "Carousel". I slunk back to the community hall, where an aroma of burnt beef offered temptation. Sure enough, here in a side-room were polis and marshals tucking into stovies, so I grabbed a plateful, only to learn that it was for race officials! Too late...yum yum. The final adventure was still to come: the evening trains suffered more cancellations, and a relief bus took us on a mystery tour of the north Forth towns, finally disgorging several exhausted runners at Inverkeithing to wait for a train. "Into the Firth of Forth, Ran the eight hundred". It was Grim...but I feel great afterwards.

Posted by Graeme Orr on Sat 5 May 2012 | 1 comment

Category beach and promenade novelty run

We Kaim, We Ran, We Did OK →

A short post on the short Kaim Hill Race. (Apologies for the lateness.) A fair crew of Westies turned up, everyone put in a good performance and the club was well-represented in the upper results. For my part, I was the first Westie to the top (about 6th over all) but on the way down I was passed by the marauding gang of Owen, John & Alan and later on by Luke down at the burn crossing. It's 'cause I was tricked see; a devious Glasgow University runner conned me in to following him off the flagged trail, thus squandering my unassailable lead. After all, it's not like the rest of the Westiepack are better descenders or faster runners than me or anything. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable evening with beautiful weather and a top atmosphere. A final point - be sure and pick up your very own 'Westie sweat-band' while stocks last!