Hugh Wilson 10K, East Kilbride, 2006

Another Classic as EK Takes Westies by Storm!

Those who have never run the East Kilbride 10K would be forgiven for expressing a lack of interest in the apparently mundane trail which winds around dual-carriageways, overpasses, underpasses and the town’s legendary roundabouts. However, these same people are missing a treat; whoever had the insane idea of organising a road race in EK in the middle of winter deserves our eternal thanks. EK10K afficionados always come back for more. Previous races have been in 6 inches of snow, death defying ice, extreme cold…yes, this is also the race where Archie got lost in the first mile!

And so, those of us who return year-on-year for torture were well-rewarded with gale force winds and torrential downpours which turned it once again into an epic. This was coupled with a change of course (due to road works) to an out-and-back which probably further discouraged those who have not previously indulged in the delights of this event. Actually it added a certain je ne sais quoi to the event; whilst we were driven along at 5 minute miles on the second km by force 10 winds, we knew it was going to gain revenge just before the finish when we were feeling really tired. The out-and-back also had the perverse advantage of showing us that the leaders seemed to be struggling just as much as the rest of us.

So it was a proud day for Westies; 10 competitors was as many as any other small-to-medium sized club and more than most large -to-extra large ones too. Chris took the honours, although for most of the second half he was being pulled in by Dave, who was desparately trying to make sure that homeboy Don didn’t scalp him at the finish. Steffen was next, followed by Rob who incredibly, before the race had been musing that possibly he should have been going up the hills as the weather wasn’t looking that bad!!!! I’m not sure of the finishing order after that….I certainly wasn’t hanging abut too long to give encouragement, and for this I got pelters from Muffy. However, I think the finishing order was Muffy, Ian, Bill, Drew and Pat. Apologies if I’ve got that wrong. Times are almost irrelevant in the conditions, anything under an hour would be good value. Next year, forget the delights of Druim Fada or Meall a Bhuchaille; there’s just as much adventure to be had on the Queensway!

“Madness” said one finisher to me as he crawled away to his car. Mibbies aye, but he’ll be back next year, no doubt!