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.

Results