Technical Downhill at Glenmore

Mark – “Technical downhill” on a golfie !?

That’s right up there with your “ran into a small girl on a bike” excuse.

If Gibbies car couldn’t be found then that’s probably because it was first prize in the half time raffle at the Jambos v Hibees games just round the corner!

I really enjoyed watching a “technical downhill” at Meall a Bhuachaille on Sat. with a good field of 70 on an amazing clear (but freezing on top) day.

Sadly the remnants of a flu bug stopped me from running ,but it was good to see how the good guys handled the deep heather and fast narrow trods coming off the second hill.

Dan-the-man-Whitehead was miles in front and set a new course record with Brian Marshal a few minutes off the pace. Kyle Grieg lost out to Tim Lenton in a hard fought battle ,but both very nearly ran off the wrong side of the hill towards Badaguish by following some confusing white conservation area marker flags ,instead of the red & white butting !

First of the few Westies to pass was Chris holding the front of a group charging down the hill with snotters and sleveres flying everywhere!

A scattering of Jim ,Pete , Elsie and Donald made up the rest of the team descending in various styles and speeds.

Dawn Scott of LAC looked really strong as she stormed down to a new female record.

Sadly the batteries in my Digi Cam went phutt after only a few pics of the leaders and my spares were uncharged duds ! I was cursing because the light was fantastic and the Cairngorm backdrop sensational. Hopefully Keith Burns got a few Westies shots as he was clicking away furiously not far away form me – check the Carnethy / SHR sites?

He did manage to get a pic. of a local friend of mine from up here ,Peter Porteous(SV?) ,doing his first hill race ,with an enormous grim on his face as he waved his fists in the air – presumably in celebration ?!

The prize giving was preceded with plenty sandwiches and buns in Glenmore Lodge and later in the evening was the scene of the great SHR “Do” with dancing into the wee hours – and some drinking into the very wee hours !

In the annual prize giving the Westies that counted were Pat I think 2nd or 3rd ? in the Female SVet’s(could’nt hear for the rabble) and Mr Modesty handing out the awards ,Ronnie 2nd in the Vets and 3rd overall !!

Fantastic for Pat after missing out on so much of the season and yet another brilliant result by Ronnie ,proving that training 6 times a day really does work Mark !

Well done folks.

Another point worthy of note was an award to a ex-Westie of some esteem.

Ronnies self styled runner of the year award was made to Mark Rigby (sadly not there)- not for winning races for a change ,but for the 17 years of selfless toil spent carrying out SHR duties on all our behalfs through some turbulant times.

It is a fitting tribute for a quiet superstar of our sport ,on and off the hill, and was well recieved by the crowd.

Next years “Do” theatens to return to Crianlaraich ,so meantime get out there and win something in your big yellow vests folks.

M