Keep calm and run Kaim Hill

 

Organiser Scott McKendrick presented  a slightly different race route this year which cut out most of the trod up the side of the glen and instead, took us across the burn after about 100m up the glen, through a kissing gate and diagonally across a field towards Kaim hill. A long slog through another couple of fields eventually led the runners on to the original route through the heather and bogs before raching the summit cairn and back down.

Rain throughout the day stopped around teatime leaving us only a strong headwind  to overcome on the uphill.

I had a pretty miserable ascent, (or could be said lazy) and walked up most of the way – in part because the route makes it difficult to pass.  I could see Roddy ahead of me for most of the ascent but it was only as we approached the summit that I started to close the gap.  I stopped at the summit to tighten my laces as I just couldn’t see my shoes staying on through the bogs on the way down.  With wind behind the descent was much more enjoyable and I managed to pass a couple of people relatively early but seemed to be making no inroads on Roddy who was descending well.

As we neared the end of the heather covered part of the hillside I did start to close the gap on Roddy and managed to pass him just before we crossed the burn.  I didn’t look back and raced hard to the finish, getting there in 41.04 with Roddy about 5 seconds behind.

Given the weather conditions in the days up to and of the race there was a great turnout – probably about 80.  After an entertaining prize giving there was a mad scramble for a limited number of “Keep calm and run Kaim Hill” t shirts.

Thansk to Keith for his support and marshalling, at a race he normally does well at but unfortunately missed as he gets over a chest infection.