Manor Water Race Report

The last in this years summer league races was held in near ideal autumn conditions. The rolling Peebleshire hills dressed in autumn colours with blue sky and sunshine made this race one to remember. 60 usual suspects started and finished. Second place in Mannie’s summer league was still

up for grasp and hence the contenders arrived well prepared and motivated. The race route, for those who have not completed it, is ideal for road runners who wish to enter the hill running scene as it offers a long, undulating and slowly climbing approach to the half-way checkpoint. The second half returns along the same route, only much

faster.

Mannie came in first Westie and fourth overall – a result that will have to be confirmed after a regular drug test to be carried out in due course. [What the heck is that man on???] The next two Westies had close’ish tussle through the first half, with Steffen running eye-balls out to keep Murdo behind. However after several attempts on the last

climb to the check point Murdo eased passed in a fine and authoritative manner, never to lose that position again. Steffen’s race confidence lay in tatters, although towards the end the gap closed again; a mere 28 seconds at the finish, making Murdo 1st M50 as well as the worthy winner

of this years 2nd spot.

Christine Menhennet led the following Westies group with a comfortable one minute lead over Mr Baxter with Elsie only a 174 second behind Pete, making her top Westies Hill Running lady of 2003. Last but not least came in Drew, who should win this years ‘Most Races Attended’ prize.

1 Andrew Liston Fife Athletic Club 73.24 MS

2 Tim Lenton Lothian R C 75.29 MS

3 Brian Marshall Help 76.55 MS

4 Manuel Gorman Westerlands 79.06 MS

15 Murdo MacLeod Westerlands 88.34 M50

16 Steffen Gorgas Westerlands 89.02 MS

29 Kate Jenkins Carnethy Hill Racers 96.33 FS

34 Christine Menhennet Westerlands 101.45 F40

35 Peter Baxter Westerlands 102.44 M40

36 Elspeth Scott Westerlands 105.38 FS

53 Drew Turnbull Westerlands 119.35 M60

Yours,

Steffen