Run Balmoral

Whilst many other Westies were preparing for some serious races on the hills I made my way on an annual pilgrimage to Deeside for the Run Balmoral event. We’ve managed to gather a group of ‘road runners’ who venture up for their yearly trail race, I now happliy consider myself of dual nationality – both a road and hill runner however my new exploits on the hills have led my road running buddies to expect great things……should’ve thought of that…..

Anyway, this weekend always falls at a time when there are lots of other races on closer to home but it has become one of my favourites as it is quite simply a stunning trail along the Dee and up through the forest on Balmoral Estate, starting and finishing in front of the Castle. This year, on my seventh consequtive running, I wanted to continue to decrease my time and get under the 50 min target. It’s a tough race with a long sloping drag and then a steep climb up a not unsubstantial hill so its not fast course.

I started a bit too far back in the timing waves so was a bit slower on the first Km that I wanted but the upside was I felt like I was passing everyone in sight for a while, then at 3Km it drags slowly uphill until the big hill goes from there to past 5Km.

I ran the parts of the hill I could and fast walked (HR style) as hard as possible up the steeper bits which proved fruitful as I passed many towards the top who had charged past me early on the way up and blown up. I followed a lady in a blue top and we raced each other the whole way, I got ahead on the first downhill only for her to get in front again through 7.5 – 8.5, but not by much and I really pushed myself on to creep up towards her finally pushing past at 9.5km. I could virtually feel her pain and distress at me passing her then and for a fleeting second felt gulity – then I got a grip!! It’s a race afterall. So I took 2 minutes off last years PB for this race at 48.57 was 22nd age category and 55th wummin. Happy with that. And got a name check over the finish as a runner from Westerlands CCC.

The local boy caused great celebrations as Robbie Simpson won the 10k with a new course record – he was flying – and then went on to win the 15 mile Trail race on Sunday too where Angela Mudge was the winning woman. There was a good field for only 2nd / 3rd running of this new race which is now attracting some attention as a serious trail race – of which there are very few in Scotland, it would be great to see more.

All in all my road running buddies all loved ‘this whole running off road thingy’ and in traditional Westies fashion I made sure to drink and eat for Scotland for the rest of the weekend! Did manage a few nice runs and walks in the hills in between wine and cake.

If you are free next year it is well worth the trip as it is a great race in a gorgeous setting.

Results are on the Run Balmoral website. (and I’m not good enough to connect them to this post!)