Millport 10-mile Road Race

Results | Photos

The rain and gale force winds made for challenging conditions at this year’s Round Cumbrae 10-miler. My plan before the start was to tuck in with Garscube runners Euan Geddes and John Bell, and shelter for as long as possible. I managed to run almost to 4 miles with John and Euan before I started to fade, or they pressed on.

I went through 5 miles almost bang on 29 minutes, so knew that sub 1 hour was unlikely. The run down the west side of the island was into the teeth of a gale the whole way, virtually stopping you in your tracks. I could see that Euan had passed David Simpson of Corstorphine, and John was closing on David as well. I tried to visualise catching John, but the wind was grinding me down. With just under a mile to go I suddenly realised that Euan McIntosh was barreling down on me. This spurred me into action to finally pass David Simpson and start the charge for the finish line. I had several attempts at dropping Euan as we came back into Millport, but with 600 metres to go he put in the decisive break.

Only the first 5 runners got under the hour. I finished 8th in 1:00:56. The race was won by Stuart Gibson of Cambuslang in 53:08.