A wintery weekend

On Sunday Connell Drummond and Alasdair Murray headed to the foot of the Campsie Fells and the Kirkintilloch 12.5km Road race.  The first time either of them had run in this race despite it being a pretty well established event with over 300 finishers. Only in the week of the race did I learn that it also notes that it’s got 12 hills in 12.5km – ok most are gentle climbs but a few had me at near walking pace.  Despite the biting wind Connell had his usual strong performance finishing just outside the top 10 in 47.44 whilst I struggled inside the top 100 in 55.39.

As Connell headed off for a cool down and snow started to lightly fall I headed for the warmth of the car.

Only later that day did I look at the Carnethy website for the results of the Carnethy 5 Hill race where usual hill stalwarts David White (69.49) and Roddy Pugh (84.54) were appearing along with Roddy’s son and fast approaching honorary Harrier, Dan (69.08)

Take a look at the short clip on the Carnethy website – hill running isn’t always like this – only in February!!

Carnethy 5

In Roddy’s own understated words: “The 47^th Carnethy 5 Hill Race in the Pentland Hills took place on Saturday 11^th February in very testing conditions for the second year in succession. Driving sleet and snow and 45mph winds at the summits made it extremely difficult for runners and marshalls alike. David White was first home for Kilmarnock in 1.09.54 (111^th place) with Roddy Pugh a long way back in 1.24.54 (322^nd place). A total of 472 runners finished safely, with a reasonable number of other Ayrshire runners from North Ayrshire A.C and Irvine A.C.”