Eildon Hill Race

Eildon Hill Race. 26th June, 2004

After the novel experience a couple of weeks ago of winning a race on the strength of my descending, normality returned with a thud and a whimper yesterday in the Eildon Hill Race, when I remained in contention to the top of the course and was comprehensively humped on the descent.

Tim Lenton was there; fresh from an eye-catching 2nd place with Jethro in the LAMM, and soon after the start Tim and I settled into a lead group with a couple of vests from Gala Harriers and one from Clayton.

The first real climb whittled this down, with Tim reaching the first summit a couple of seconds ahead of me, with a tiny Gala Harrier called Ewan Jardine close behind. Tim pulled away quickly on the descent to the saddle, and half-way down the mighty midget came clattering past me. Maybe Tim was still feeling the effects of the LAMM, because by the top of the second and final hill we were just about together again.

From here it’s a long very runnable descent to the finish. Once again Tim steamed away, and Ewan took off in pursuit. Six hours wielding an industrial strimmer the previous day had left me with a stiff back, and after a few hundred feet of pummelling descent it was feeling more and more ragged. Ewan was out of reach in front, and 4th place was miles back, so I eased up and held my position to the end, by which my back was in tatters. After hanging around for the prize-giving and driving home, I was unable to climb out of the car without assistance. Roll on the Saunders next week. Is there room in that Kimmsac for me, Chris?

Nice race. More runnable than most shorties, but with a couple of good stiff climbs and a very fast descent. Lots of hot tea, cakes and rolls at the finish, and one of the nicest winner’s trophies I’ve ever seen, with names going back to 1961. Colin Donnelly, Neil Wilkinson, Graeme Bartlett and Billy Bland all feature, but no previous Westies winners. Fancy it next year, Ronnie?

1. Tim Lenton, Lothian, 29:30

2. Ewan Jardine, Gala Harriers, 30:01

3. Damon Rodwell, Westies, 30:56

4. Clayton Harrier, 31:50(ish)

Various Lothians, Boggies, Gala Harriers and at least one Carnethy vest included in the remaining 60-or-so runners.