Christmas Handicap 2019

On the traditional Saturday after Christmas a stalwart band of Westies braved the wet and wind to stage the annual fancy dress handicap race. The conditions were predictably challenging so only the connoisseurs of this classic event were persuaded…

Santa Clauses are Coming to Town

I arrived at the 2019 Tobermory Santa Dash well-prepared, having borrowed a premium, drag-minimising Santa onesie from Andrew Fulwood. Most of the other competitors had no choice but to wear the inferior two-piece garments, with a smattering…

Cyclists vs Harriers 2019

The Cyclist Vs Harriers Cross Country Race is held in Irvine, famous for being my birthplace and not much else. Due to the recent rain, as previously mentioned in Toms Trossachs report, it was deemed to be “a year for the runners”. I think…

Trossachs Night Trail #2

“I hope the rain holds off so I can keep my glasses on” I said, like an idiot. We’re gathered in Callander for the start of the 2nd race in the Trossachs Night Trail Series. Hill running legend Angela Mudge stands on a wall to give…

Recipe for a perfect XC race (West Districts XC report)

Ingredients: Rain in the days leading up to the race* A park, field, golf course, or beach Slopes of varying gradients* Red and white tape marking the course Marshals willing to wear multiple layers & stand in the cold Rain and wind…

West District XC

I have belatedly realised that I do not have a recent entry for the race report of the year prize at tomorrow’s Christmas dinner. So in a vain attempt to curry favour with the judges, I’ve written a race report for tomorrows XC race. Please…

Loch Ossian 2019

The first Loch Ossian trip took place in 1990, in celebration of the birth of a future leader of Westies just across the border in Carlisle a few months prior. It was attended by a number of Westies who ran a number of different routes and ate…