Devils Burdens 2007

Seven Westies teams lined up for the Devils Burdens this year. That either means that you’re all fantastically keen and enthusiastic – or that you’re scared of me and Chris! I hope it’s the former!

So – it was a lovely sunny day as the chaos in the car park grew to epic proportions. 100 teams meant 200 people on the start line raring to go. And you’ll never guess who was first out of the starting blocks. Indeed – none other than our eminent Captain Chris. I’m told he led the field of 1st leg runners to the gate. Not sure how Manny enjoyed the super swift start – or sprint finish, seems running with the Captain is hard work! For the ladies Manny had persuaded Brenda to run Leg 1. This was great for our ladies team but I’m not sure how keen she was initially! Val H and Jane had a fast leg – with a bit of a battle with Keith and Tom on the way. I don’t really know how the other teams got on as we were swept away by Trev to drop Hamilton at the start of leg 2. Then, so as not to get stuck in the predicted traffic pandemonium we were off again to Leg 3. We got there just in time to see a very exhausted Scott McKendrick (in potential new Westies gear) fly into the finish to set off David and Damon. Then it was Jason – who’s speedy efforts were slighlty undone by the laxidasical attitude of his leg 3 team mates as they sauntered to the start. Hamilton must have run but he looked like the proverbial cool cucumber when I saw him and then eventually Shona sped in. Katherine and I were off – and then rapidly stopped agin as the near vertical ascent took it’s toll. But once up the top it was a great run. The course was easy to find, the descents were fun and the sun was blazing – what more do you need? We finished sometime later and handed over to Myra who had kindly agreed to run after chauferring the f50 team around.

So again the Westies women did well. I think we were 2nd f40 team and 1st (and only) f50 team. Well done Westieeeeez Ladieeeez!

Got a Burden’s story you’d like to share – please feel free to add a comment. It’s impossible for one person to know what 42 others were doing!