Annan & District Athletic Club    

           
[ Home ] [ Up ]

ADAC FELL RACING CHAMPIONSHIP 2006  

TINTO - SATURDAY 11th NOVEMBER 2006

^{While driving across to Annan on Saturday to pick Mark up to go to the Tinto Hill Race I was thinking to myself we must be mad, there was water flowing off the fields everywhere because of the pouring rain assisted by a gale force wind, not ideal conditions for running up hills.}

Saturday the 16^th September was the date for this years Merrick Hill Race which starts from Bruce’s Stone at Glen Trool. Bathed in the late summer sunshine there was no problems route finding this year although underfoot it was pretty heavy going. This race for some unexplained reason never seems to attract large numbers and only 23 runners went to the start line. From the start the main man to keep tabs on was Brian Marshall a previous winner and one of Scotland’s best. ADAC’s Mark Whitelaw and the returning to form Colin Brash of Girvan did there best to keep Brian in site but Brian reached the summit of Merrick 3 minutes ahead of the chasing Colin and Mark and continued to pull away on the run home finishing in 1hr 28.13 minutes. Mark and Colin fought a close battle with Mark coming off best returning in 1hr 35.24 minutes to take second with Colin closely behind in 1hr 35.49 minutes.

Andy who finally got the route right showed his true potential finishing 7^th in 1hr 51.15 minutes. Not far behind was Dan running this race for the fist time and doing very well to finish 8^th in 1hr 55.00 minutes. These positions were enough for the Annan trio to lift the team prize.

There was only one female entrant this year in the shape of Phoebe Webster of Dumfries who finished 13^th in 2hrs 05.17 minutes.

Numbers should be greatly increased next year as the race has been selected as a Scottish Championship counter so pencil it into your diaries now.

 

Devils Beef Tub - Saturday 2nd September2006

( Not in the club championship but a personal report from Andy Fairgrieve.)

(Results and photos courtesy Carnethy)

For the hill runners amongst us unable to secure an entry for the BIG event
of the weekend ie The Ben Nevis Race, there is a little gem of a run I can
heartily recommend.
The Beef Tub Race, organised by the Carnethy Hill Running Club is a very low
key event. I have been in Moffat for 10 years and had never even heard of it
until recently!
The race, starting deep it the bowels of the Beeftub, is a good  10 minute
hike from the car park and registration point at Corehead Farm. It then
involves what must be one of the steepest starts to any race, a climb of
around 400 feet to the roadside monument. It then follows a clockwise round
of the skyline of the Tub, first Annandale Head, Peat Knowe and finally
round the cairn on Great Hill before a thigh bursting descent through
heather and bracken back to the pile of jackets that marks the finish.
The rain did its bet to dampen our enthusiasm as runners and marshals
assembled. Some late comers were forced to leave cars on the A701, at the
top of the routes first climb and  descended into the Tub on foot instead,
so as not miss the "mass" start.
A minute’s silence was observed prior to the start in memory of Janice Mudge,
Angela's twin sister, who died recently after a long illness.
And so we could put off the inevitable first ascent no longer. Someone
shouted go and off we went.
Adam Ward made it look easy as he powered up the first climb, followed by
fellow Carnethy Adam Anderson Jr. The rest of us kept our heads down and
plodded upwards. Such is the gradient that hands come into play, grabbing
tussocks to help take the strain off burning legs.
By the time we had all rounded the first cairn the field was well strung
out. I managed to pick up a couple of places as we skirted the Tub and
headed up Annandale Head.
I could see all the others ahead and worked out if I made up a couple of
places I was in with a chance of a podium place!
I picked up fourth place from John Blair-Fish, another Carnethy man as we
were going along Peat Knowe and concentrated on closing down the third
placed runner. The two Adams by this time were specks in the distance.
I pushed on and managed to sneek by him on the last climb to the cairn on
Great Hill. I hoped I had enough left for the descent. The final drop is the
balance to the first climb. Legs turn to jelly as you fight to hold yourself
back. A few chose the slide on your bum option, not always on purpose. Once
down it's a last stagger over the field, leap the burn and back to the
finish.
A great wee route, a friendly bunch of fell runners and a Beef Tub free from
mist, what more could you ask for.

                The Start!                                      Andy crossing the burn at the  finish

Position Name Club Time Category
1 Adam Ward Carnethy 23.23 M40
2 Adam Anderson Carnethy 25.07 MS
3 Andy Fairgreave Annan 25.50 MS
4 Bob Waterhouse Carnethy 26.32 M50
5 John Blair-Fish Carnethy 27.32 M50
6 Brian Howie Carnethy 28.18 M50
7 Jonathan Whitehead City of Edinburgh 29.32 M40
8 Jo Whitehead City of Edinburgh 32.01 F40
9 Ian McManus Irvine 36.25 M60
10 Drew Turnbull Westies 39.09 M60

MOFFAT CHASE 15thJULY 2006

ADAC were well represented on Saturday at the Moffat Chase which was this year resurrected as a Scottish Championship Race 10 years after its last running. It definitely helps when you arrive at checkpoints and are greeted by fellow club members. Encouragement was given by John and Jean Robson at Greygill Head and Jim and Owen at Hartfell, thanks also for the welcome cups of water. Rob Mitchell and Bill Pringle from Hawick were at the remote Upper Coomb Craig checkpoint but still managed to have cups of water available. Rob's daughter Rona, and Ian were at Saddle Yoke , again a hard climb from Blackhope Cottage.  For those of you not familiar with the climb to thos parts of the course most people would struggle to carry ½ ltr never mind enough for 80 runners.

To The Race – there were 76 "brave" souls who crossed the start line at the Moffat Ram to run the 17 miles with 5000ft of climbing. It was obvious right from the start that the heat would play a major part in the return of them all. The comment at the finish by Jethro Lennox who is a past British Champion to the organiser probably sums up most of our thoughts – "I can’t believe I paid you £5 to do that"! But to the credit of all taking part 75 finished to fight another day.

The ADAC team of Mark, Roger,Andy and Nigel had all recced the route in the previous weeks to ensure the "best" racing line! Yet when we got to the open hills the majority of the field went in a completely different direction to us which was slightly worrying. When we met up again at the foot of Greygill I don’t think there were any winners or losers. Pacing yourself was the most important aspect of this run as the major climb from Black Hope Burn comes well into the race and the conditions made this even more important. I know that I wasn’t going very well at this point but a lot of people were in a far worse state than me, not nice when you have at least another hour of running in front of you.

The Winners and Losers – first of all everyone who got round was a winner in the blistering ( literally) conditions. Stewart Whitlie of Carnethy once again impressed in the heat just as he did recently at Glen Rosa winning in a time of 2 hrs 55:14 minutes. Stewart is also a V40!! He was followed home by Colin Donnelly and third place went to Jethro Lennox. Angela Mudge was first lady in 9^th place taking 3 hrs 25:20 minutes and this after missing a checkpoint which she returned to. Second place went to Helen Stuart in 3 hrs 44:53 minutes and third (1^st V 40) to Loise Burt in 4 hrs 6:38 minutes.

The ADAC Team – Mark definitely put himself up there amongst the best in Scotland finishing in 6^th place with a time of 3 hrs 17: 44 minutes. This is Marks best result to date and should give him confidence for future races. He had his race plan, stuck to it and it paid off. My race plan was to get round!! And boy was it a struggle – worst moment was lying in the bracken below Greygill clutching my cramping calf and waiting for the pain to subside. I wasn’t going very well before this but I was certainly no better after. On crossing the finish line I was surprised to find that I had managed 18^th place in 3 hrs 46:37. Andy who I think looked as bad as I felt finished 37^th in 4 hrs 18:54. Like the rest of us he was pleased to have made it but never thought that it was going to be such a feat of endurance. Nigel came home in 63^rd with a time of 5 hrs 8:37 minutes brighter than most but again pleased to have survived having struggled in our recce a few weeks ago.

Our next Club Championship Run is at Ben Nevis at the beginning of September so hopefully we will have rehydrated and recovered by then.

Footnote:  As probably one of the few who really enjoyed being out on the hills, with absolutely ideal conditions on Hart Fell for marshalling but appreciating what the runners were going through. Once all the runners were through Owen and I jogged back down to Moffat and even that was quite tiring. It was good to have Rob and company from Hawick assisting, remembering that Rob was the previous organiser.

Malcolm has asked me to add this message from him on our Hill running page, and you will notice he will appreciate any comments. You can contact him on  malpat3@ntlworld.com

 

Jim

Malcolm Patterson, as race organizer, would like to thank members of ADAC for their tremendous support for the Moffat Chase on Saturday: those who marshalled and helped during and before the race, and those hardy souls who completed the race. Shettleston are now thinking about possible options for holding the race again and we’d welcome any comments or suggestions you might have.

Thanks again!!

Malcolm

 

1	Stewart Whitlie	Carnethy	02.55.14	M40
2	Colin Donnelly	Lochaber	03.01.03	M40
3	Jethro Lennox	Shettleston	03.05.52	M
4	Andrew Wright	Cambuslang	03.08.37	M
5	Billy Minto	HBT	03.14.45	M40
6	Mark Whitelaw	Annan and District	03.17.44	M
7	Luke Arnott	Westerlands	03.19.40	M
8	Manuel Gorman	Westerlands	03.24.44	M
9	Angela Mudge	Carnethy	03.25.20	F
10	Adrian Davis	Carnethy	03.31.30	M40
11	David Scott	Ochils	03.36.17	M50
12	Graeme Campbell	Highland	03.39.23	M
13	Colin Valentine	Keswick AC	03.40.28	M40
14	Adam Ward	Carnethy	03.40.56	M40
15	Nick Leslie	Ochils	03.41.52	M
16	Chris Upson	Westerlands	03.43.00	M40
17	Colin Brash	Girvan AC	03.43.21	M
18	Helen Stuart	Bellahouston RR	03.44.53	F
19	Roger Irving	Annan and District	03.46.37	M40
20	David Riach	Westerlands	03.47.53	M40
21	Adam Anderson	Carnethy	03.48.46	M
22	Patrick Walder	Shettleston	03.49.17	M
23	Martin Hulme	Corstorphine	03.53.31	M50
24	John Donnelly	Westerlands	03.53.47	M40
25	Ken Rumgay	Lochaber	03.54.01	M40
26	Derek Bearhop	Carnethy	03.56.28	M40
27	John Blair-Fish	Carnethy	03.57.39	M50
28	Bruce Smith	Standard Life	04.03.55	M40
29	Paul Maclean	Lochaber	04.03.55	M
30	Louise Burt	Fife	04.06.38	F40
31	Dave Mitchell	Dundee Hawkhill	04.09.45	M40
32	Murdo Macleod	Westerlands	04.09.56	M50
33	Graeme Scott	Unattached	04.10.50	M
34	Douglas Brown	Dumfries RC	04.10.57	M40
35	John Hepburn	Lochaber	04.15.20	M40
36	Catriona Miller	Westerlands	04.15.26	F
37	Andy Fairgrieve	Annan and District	04.18.54	M
38	Tosh Brannan	Lothian	04.19.17	M40
39	Herbie Mclean	Lothian	04.20.50	M50
40	Colin Lamour	Cosmics	04.20.53	M40
41	Sharon Gunn	Falkirk Victoria Harriers	04.24.18	F
42	Billy Magee	Larne	04.27.22	M60
43	Micheal Diver	Clydesdale Harriers	04.28.15	M40
44	Graham Henry	Portobello	04.29.05	M40
45	S Bell	Westerlands	04.29.30	M
46	Bob Sheridan	Cosmics	04.33.57	M
47	Val Brunton	Westerlands	04.37.28	F40
48	Laurie Anderson	Fife	04.40.20	M40
49	David Calder	Westerlands	04.40.41	M40
50	Hugh Kerr	Central	04.41.00	M40
51	John Guildwrth	Galloway Harriers	04.43.59	M50
52	Michael Milmure	Forres Harriers	04.45.59	M50
53	Ron McCraw	Ochils	04.47.13	M40
54	Lois Noble	Cosmics	04.47.29	F40
55	Trevor Collins	Carnethy	04.47.36	M50
56	Rob Mills	Cosmics	04.48.25	M40
57	Steffen Gorgas	Westerlands	04.49.56	M
58	George Murdoch	Carnegie Harriers	04.51.51	M40
59	James Kellock	Unattached	04.53.34	M40
60	Elaine Stewart	Cosmics	04.53.45	L40
61	Derek Paton	Standard Life	04.55.35	M
62	Hamilton Semple	Westerlands	04.57.05	M50
63	Nigel Priestley	Annan and District	05.08.37	M40
64	Alistar Ross	Unattached	05.14.44	M
65	Brian Brennan	Westerlands	05.23.50	M50
66	Muffy Calder	Westerlands	05.26.07	F40
67	Bill Gauld	Carnethy	05.30.03	M60
68	Christopher Andrews	Unattached	05.32.59	M
69	Shirley Sineogh	Unattached	05.32.59	F40
70	June Duncan	Forres Harriers	05.34.50	L40
71	Moira Grainger	Fife	05.37.48	F40
72	Donald Smith	Westerlands	05.37.48	M60
73	David Stakes	Unattached	05.49.48	M40
74	Bill Henderson	Carnethy	05.56.06	M50
75	Jason Kaushal	Westerlands	06.25.40	M40
76	Swaz Fraser	Westerlands	DNF	M

(with acknowledgement to scottish hill runners)

DURISDEER -SUNDAY 18th JUNE 2006

It was very disappointing for organiser Adam Anderson and his team of hard working volunteer’s to see only 17 runners turn up for this years race. The race day conditions were challenging with rain and mist to contend with. The conditions made for some interesting route detours by most of the runners!! It’s easy to get isolated when there are only 17 runners in the race. The race was won by Adam who’s local knowledge paid off in the thick mist. Alan Smith and Colin Valentine were not far behind in second and third. Mark Whitelaw who was a clear leader at Dalveen Pass floundered in the mist on Well Hill and had to settle for 4^th place. Roger Irving came in 6^th finding the closing climbs a struggle, the descents weren’t easy either!! Andy Fairgrieve finished 8^th taking 15 minutes off of last years time, excellent considering the conditions.

We will have to make a big effort next year to turn up to this race or it will disappear, Adam also struggles for volunteer’s so if you can’t run please come along and help out. The feast available at the finish makes it well worth the effort.

Adam Anderson - 1.44.52 – sm

Alan Smith - 1.46.02 – v40

Colin Valentine - 1.48.49 – v40

Mark Whitelaw - 1.53.45 – sm

Colin Brash - 1.54.14 – sm

Roger Irving - 1.57.05 – v40

Tommy Begley - 2.00.56 – sm

Andy Faitgrieve - 2.11.54 – sm

Shirley Singh - 2.20.26 – vf40

John Goldsworthy – 2.20.26 – v50

Tom Bowie - 2.33.27 – v50

Liam Ryan - 2.36.15 – sm

Alistair Ross - 2.46.48 - ?

Finlay Dowell - 2.47.08 – v40

Ian Mcmanus - 2.47.24 – v60

Nat Taylor - dnf

Tony Stapley - dnf

"It was worth the effort to come back for this lovely spread"

BEN LOMOND - SATURDAY 6TH MAY 2006

This was the first counter in this year’s Scottish Hill Running Championship and was well supported with nearly 200 runners taking part. Conditions were near perfect with a lovely spring day. Mark must have had plenty of spring in his legs as he scampered to another pb taking over 3 minutes off in the climb alone. He took some major scalps on the descent as well and finished 19^th in this high calibre field. His finishing time being 75.12 minutes. Dr Nigel our newly qualified Hill Running first aider!!! came home a minute quicker than last year finishing in 142^nd place and a time of 103.32 minutes. Jean also made the TRIP finishing in 120.39 minutes placing her 178^th.

The race was won impressively by Jethro Lennox with a new course record of 65.59 minutes this was two minutes ahead of the rest of the field. Not to be out done Angela Mudge set a new ladies course record of 76.12 minutes finishing in 23^rd spot.

SCREEL -  SATURDAY 8th APRIL2006

Screel Hill Race was our latest outing on the fells run over 4 miles with 1500 feet of climbing. Mark continued to challenge up front and was beaten in a sprint finish, having to settle for 4^th place. It was a close run thing with only 4 seconds separating 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th places. He was disappointed to be beaten but pleased to record another pb. Roger was next home in 9^th place a little slower than last year, maybe something to do with 20 mile marathon training runs!! Andy finished 12^th in yet another pb improving by an impressive 2.43 minutes. John who has stepped up yo another age category !! still maintained a time similar to prievious years to finish 19^th. Our new member Dan Watson again ran well but in common with the rest of us found this ‘speedy’ run a slightly different challenge, he finished in 22^nd place. Bringing up the rear was no training , never do speed work Nigel who still managed 30^th place out of a field of 41 runners.

                             Our times and positions were;

                                                                                                          Mark Whitelaw – 4^th – 33.46 minutes.

                                                                                                    Roger Irving - 9^th – 35.51 minutes.                    

Andy Fairgrieve – 12^th – 37.44 minutes.

John Robson – 19^th – 40.15 minutes.

Dan Watson – 22^nd – 40.47 minutes.

Nigel Priestley – 30^th – 45.02 minutes.

The race was won for the second year in succession by Euan Jardine of Gala Harriers in 32.11 minutes. Phobe Webster of Dumfries was the leading lady in 25^th place and a time of 41.00 minutes.

LANGHOLM HILL RACE 

SATURDAY 25th MARCH-2006

Roger(3rd),Mark(1st)and Adam(2nd),with part of the route in the background.

The final race of the three was held at Langholm on Saturday 25^th March. The route is a challenging 8 miles with 2700 ft of climbing which involves climbing and descending four hill tops that surround the town. Local knowledge is essential as the route is not marked and the race is run based on a handicap system with all runners trying to finish as near to 12.30 pm as possible. Mark Whitelaw continued his good early season form to record a PB and fist place in 72.24 minutes. Because of the handicap system Mark was pushed all the way to the line by Adam Anderson of the Carnethy club who in turn was closely followed by Roger Irving. Although Andy veered off of the ideal route a few times he still finished strongly in 4^th place. Next home taking the 1^st Vet prize was Bill Knox formerly of Hawick and who still runs for Teviotdale. Bill has been over the course a few times now so there was no off route detours this year which resulted in his 5^th place overall. Dan Watson who has recently moved to Moffat had never taken part in a fell run until the Carnethy race in February finished in 6^th place. This is quite impressive running from Dan as he did not know the route but still got round in a very respectable time. 7^th place went to Nigel who underestimated his finishing time bringing him in ahead of schedule! The run at Criffel last week must have improved his fitness. If he trained as well who knows what improvements would be made!! David Little after suffering from niggling injuries picked up road running last year jogged round to finish 8^th. Ray Baird who can be seen regularly keeping fit around Langholm on road/hills or his bike was first super vet and 9^th overall. Finally Paul Warwick who decided he was not in good enough shape to run this year walked round briskly in 2 hrs 20 mins (a good Saturday morning stroll).

                       Mark                                                      Adam

                     Roger                                             Andy                                                   Bill

                           Nigel                                  Runners and supporters fully replete after Roger's welcome soup.

RESULTS

CRIFFEL - SUNDAY 19TH MARCH 2006

                                      Mark                                       Roger  Irving                           Nigel and Roger Guy

(Photos - acknowledgments to Chris Upson)

Criffel on Sunday 19^th March was the second race of the weekend and presented a completely different challenge with glutinous peaty mud on the initial climb then knee to thigh deep snow covering the rest of the route. The crust of this snow was unrelenting in battering the legs of the runners with most finishing with an array of cuts and bruises to their shins. Because of these conditions times were considerably slower; most runners were at least 10 minutes down compared to last year. There was one exception to this and that was ADAC’s Andy Fairgrieve who was 2.26 minutes quicker which shows the massive improvement Andy has made in the close season. The race was won by last year’s winner and current Scotland Champion Brian Marshal with a time of 62.46 minutes (10.35 minutes down on last year’s time). He was followed home by ADAC’s Mark Whitelaw who along with three others trailed in Brian’s wake on the climb to the summit but his superior descending pulled him away from the pack to secure second place in 65.48 minutes. The first lady was Jill Mykura of Carnethy in 70.19 minutes finishing in 8^th place overall. Of the 34 runners ADAC were the prominent club supplying six competitors, their times and positions were;

Mark Whitelaw 2^nd - 65.48

Roger Irving 12^th – 73.13

Andy Fairgrieve 14^th – 74.25

John Robson 22^nd – 80.52

Roger Guy 25^th – 85.48

Nigel Priestley 26^th – 86.20