Criffel Hill Race

Oh Criffel, Oh Criffel, like Lydia Oh Lydia, you encyclopaedia of charms. Mnnnn. Needs some work, wouldn’t you say? Has been some time since yon face has met the peat of Criffel. But we are being previous, and we have had previous, although not serious previous. Blimey, this could be a long night, best put the kettle on. Don’t worry you won’t miss anything vaguely interesting.

Couple of years ago set off for Criffel in the sleet, at short notice only to miss the start by a few minutes, (Chris only just made it). Pete had me marshalling at the finish. No such duties for the recalcitrant one this year. He had enlisted a posse of kids to distribute water on the line.

So, the day was greyish with the sun just about getting through for the journey down. Still takes a while to get there with "traffic". Arriving almost disconcertingly early, so that’ll be a warm-up then!!! Unheard of, plus it’s nasty tarmac for the first part. Groans and grumbles from the cognoscenti about hating tarmac. Hey ho. Nearly there that is the start line.

So the wind not quite Arctic of old, merely chilling: so that will be a four layers on race then. Well not quite. Anecdotes from the old dogs about Criffel of the past in a blizzard, I remember when….. Sorry to cut you off old boy, but we’ll never get on at this rate.Dave Rogers escallated the Westies contingent to a dizzying 2.Did see something of his form just ahead as we got onto the track, then he was gone. On the track,on the peat, up and up, and guess what, up.Ahh yes it’s a grand life, and you canny weaken. Ehhh? So, it was the full monty course (the bad weather turn is at Knockendoch cairn).

From the summit Dave was barrelling down well ahead looking good. Then as you get to that certain descent where you are almost entirely out of control,yes that part. Mr. DD Davie Duncan and your writer were swopping places on the peaty descent when he probably introduced his face to the peat one less time than this incumbent. Had a few long skates on the surface (involuntary) and with a sail attached would have been down in a trice. No, No, No, you cry in mock outrage, or is that real outrage?

So, there was just a glimpse of the yellow-shorted one,would he be caught on the track down. Winding it up,winding it up, getting close,but on this occasion,wasnae to be.Excellent day out,and thanks to Pete & Elsie(for the shout at the top) and all his helpers. Plus thanks to Moffat Mountain Rescue.

Male

1. Andrew Wright Carnegie Sn. 54.54
2. Alan Smith Deeside M40 59.21
3. Adam Anderson Carnethy M40 59.24

Female

1. Catherine Nibblock U/A fs 1.14
2. F Shirley Singh U/A f40 1.15

Westies

17. David Rogers V40 1.0726
??. Hamilton Semple V50 1.11

60 ran.