Last Bray of an old ass?

When I last ran the Donkey Brae run, some 10 years ago, I was pushing 50 (minutes not years). What a difference a decade makes. It was a good day for the race, however: cool and breezy. I prepared with a barefoot warm-up around the park, where the race is the centre-piece of the local gala day.
1pm: we’re off. I tried to stay with a familiar figure, Eric Stevenson, but his wee wiry frame has weathered better than mine. Churning out 8-minute miles as we approach the loop section: whoops! Miles 1 and 2 are marked, but then no markers. Half-way point and through a housing scheme where the kind guy with the garden hose spray is there. “Just my face, thanks!” 5 miles: getting to the limit of my comfort zone, starting to lose places. Water station: gulp. 6 miles: ah, a downhill stretch, only a mile to go. Now the Donkey Brae: OUCH! It’s a modest climb, no Cleveden Road, but half a mile from the finish, it’s a beast. I walk up, shedding loads of places, and plod to the finish just under my hour target. O well, the last finisher (in 1.5 hours) was a wiry old chap who was greeted by his grown-up minder “Well done, grandad!”
Leading times:
1. Lewis Millar (Central) 37.35
9. Edel Mooney (FV) 43.09
143. GrimOrr (MSSV) 58.35
plus two celeb namesakes:
4. Ian Stewart (MSV) 41.38
129. Murdo MacLeod 57.50
I guess there are other Murdos out there?! the other one runs for Edinburgh Runners Network!