Devils Burdens 2012

21st January 2012

Results | Fastest Leg Times | Photos

To the astonishment of many, not least themselves, Westerlands fielded 5 complete teams for the Burdens this year with no late call-offs, no-one running twice, and everyone turning up on time (just – Val!).

Captainess Paula is a late addition to the New Year Honours List for her achievement in assembling 2 women’s teams, and the fairer sex opted for the 9:30 start. Val Houston and Gillian Irvine made welcome appearances on Leg 1 along with Sheila Thomson and Social Secretary Fiona Hutchinson, no doubt enjoying the sunny start. Some complex childminding arrangements allowed Brenda to run Leg 2, and Vicki McLaren made her Westies debut on the run over to Scotlandwell. The women’s teams were close together during the entire circuit, with Eleanor and Paula arriving at Strathmiglo in close proximity to Helen and Christine. Two more new Westies debuted on Leg 4 and finished strongly – Claire Larravide brought the B team home exactly 1 minute ahead of Gaynor Gillespie for the A team, in worsening windy weather and with shouts of encouragement from me on the course.

The men also observed a simple naming convention for the teams – no Marlins, Piranhas or HBTalent for us! Manny managed to remember the punch card and set off with Chris for the A team while Dave Rogers and JD opened the event for Team B, and Brian and Murdo got the Vets underway. Sam Alexander tried to confuse the opposition by wearing a GUHH vest on Leg 2, and was quickly followed by Ewan Dytch guesting for Team B. There were some good battles down to the handover, with a notably quick descent from Bella’s Mark Johnston, but Robbie Simpson blew everyone else away with a run that was more than 2 minutes faster than the next-fastest man and suddenly fired Deeside into 4th place.

Burdens newbies James Callender and Alasdair Duke took on Leg 3 for Team B, with the now-established pairing of Niall and the Bonny Man heading up Bishop Hill and over West Lomond for the A squad. Keith Adams passed the baton to the Billiard Ball Brothers, looking very suspicious in balaclavas for the Vets. Check the Fife local news for bank robberies in Glenrothes…

John Denovan brought the A team home in 13th place overall, lower than last year but comfortably ahead of Bella A who had indulged in some Westies-bashing banter beforehand. I anchored Team B to a lowly 35th, behind Carnethy Ladies A and Fife Junior Boys. Oops. At least James got to say that he’d been Mudged. Gibby ran the trail leg for the Vets.

On behalf of all the Westies teams, a big thanks to the Captain and Captainess for organising, and thanks to the ever-hospitable hosts Fife AC. Let’s hope that we see another big turnout of male and female Westies for the final big winter team event next month – the National XCs.

Final thought on the day comes from James, on his Leg 3 (and first Burdens) experience. How was it? "Awesome!"

Selected Results
1. Shettleston Men 2.24.58
13. Westerlands Men A 2.42.36
25. Carnethy MV50 A 2.52.43 (1st MV50)
26. HBTantrums 2.52.45 (1st Female)
35. Westerlands Men B 3.01.41
68. Westerlands Men V50 3.25.58
103. Westerlands Women B 4.02.36
105. Westerlands Women A 4.03.36

121 teams ran