Kilpatricks Kaper 2018

Everything must change so that everything can stay the same, like the feller said. (Or didn’t say? Discuss.)

New forestry plantations, utilities development and parking restrictions forced more than a few changes on this year’s Kilpatricks hill race; enough to warrant a new registration area, a new course and a new name. In addition, we had Scottish hill running legend Bobby Shields to start the race & dish out prizes and Graham Kelly on hand to capture some exciting drone footage of the proceedings.

But, despite all that, the evening had a familiar feel to it; about a hundred people appeared, ran up a hill, ran back down and most crossed the finish line with smiles on their faces. As ever, the Westies marshalling contingent acted like a well-oiled machine and I had very little to do as race organiser.

Sixteen Westies ran the course. Gregor Stewart secured a classy victory against some strong competition, gliding across the finish line with a considerable lead (thus securing his promotion to the rank of Kaptain Kilpatrick), and Gordon McCaffrey continued his domination of the V60 category. I thought that Katie Rademaker running the race three days after a PB at the Edinburgh Marathon was a particularly impressive effort! Kirsty Dickson of Glasgow University Hare & Hounds was the first lady by quite a margin.

Special mention and thanks must go to Donald Petrie of West Dunbartonshire Council/Kilbarchan AAC; he couldn’t make the race but without his advice & support I doubt it would have gone ahead.

Well done to everyone who turned up to help or run or both last night. Long live the Kilpatricks Kaper!