Criffel 20th March

Langholm 26th March

Screel 16th April

Hartfell Horse Shoe 14th May

Durisdeer 11th June

Beef Tub 10th September

Merrick 18th September

Manor Water 8th October

Tinto　12th November.

This Saturday, 12 November, was the final race of the ADAC hill running championship for 2011 - the Tinto hill race. The event was fully subscribed even before a plug in the Scotsman Newspaper; a total of 269 runners made the start line. The run is relatively short at just 7km and 460m of climb; ideal for somebody who wants to try their first hill race. The weather on the morning of the event was heavy rain but by the time we assembled at the bottom of the hill before the start the sun was shining brightly.

It was here that I bumped into an old friend from ADAC, Dan Watson, who had made the trip down from Glen Coe with two other local Glen Coe runners. After a quick chat it was time to make our way to the start. I was a bit apprehensive as I had been out of running for 3 weeks due to injury so elected to start from the back of the pack and see how thing went. With the hooter sounding we made a start, it took a few seconds to cross the start line. Starting from the back, I ran at my own pace and was conscious of my injury niggling but it seemed much better that it had a week earlier; my trip to the Physio on the preceding Wednesday seemed to have been money well spent. On the climb I picked up paces as I wen. It was rocky under foot with regular mud holes that required leaping over to keep the feet dry or just plugging though as best you could. As the race continued the injury was niggling but I was passing other runners and it wasn’t too bad, so I kept to that pace. About ¾ of the way up the hill the leaders of the race had met us on their descent; I had been expecting this for a while and was quite happy to be so far up the hill before they passed us on the way down.

At the top we rounded the big stone Cairn. It was here I passed another familiar face to us ADAC runners, Shirley Singh. Now for the descent. No problems with the injury now, coming downhill uses different muscles. I elected for a fast descent, 9/10^th not a kamikaze out of control downhill, I didn’t want to take a fall and end up with more injuries. This was a steady comeback run for me. I am a better descender than climber, I think it is because to descend well you need to leave your brain at home and go for it without fear; it is easy for me to leave my brain at home. Ha Ha. Subsequently I picked up a lot of places on the downhill. Towards the finish I caught up with another familiar face, Alan Spence from Lockerbie. As we approached the finish I said ‘do you want to run in together instead of battling it out to the finish?’ which we did, crossing the line together.

Of the ADAC runners, Rory Longmore ran an excellent 39:40 to be first ADAC runner home and second in the Vet’s over 50 class followed by me and Alan Spence in 43:35. Russ completed the run in 46:24, followed by John in 49:35 and Johnny Minto was not far behind in 50:19 with Jean coming home in 59:54.

Well after doing 3 recc’y runs over the last 3 years this year I actually managed to do the Durisdeer hill race its self.　

The race starts in the field at the bottom of the first hill, at the race start there was a tent full of home made cakes and sandwiches, Rodger was helping out taking the money and making sure we all had a map at the start, nice to see him even if he can’t run at the minute.

We were all counted before the start just to make sure that we didn’t leave anybody behind on the hill, there was a car waiting on the road to pick anybody who got injured or found it a bit too much. The Mountain Rescue was in attendance just in case at most check points.

At the start we all set off up the hill, the main track runs straight up the hill, but there is a little sheep track which cuts to the left and allows you to cut out a bit of the climb. Me and Andy Fairgrieve ran together and watched in dismay as all the top runners took the short cut, damn this was our secret weapon to gain a few places, hill running is about navigation and fitness so long as you get to the statutory check points the route you choose to get there is up to you. Never mind we have a few more tricks up our sleeve yet. First check point made no problems. Off we set again most of the runners kept high but me and Andy used one of our tricks and dropped off earlier traversing diagonally down the first big descent, this one is a killer, very steep, by the bottom my legs were jelly and almost doubling under me, still our trick had gained us a few places and it was over the road, to check point 2 then a run on the farm track. I found I was passing people easily here but disaster struck, my shoe lace came undone, a quick pit stop and I was off again but not after loosing 5 or so places. The flat running by a burn suited me and I had pulled all my lost places back before the next climb and was back with Andy.　

On the climb to check point 3 Andy pulled away, he is a strong climber. On the next big descent most people cut to the left side of the burn me Andy and John Goldsworthy took to the right of the burn this was a good choice as we gained more places, once over the burn the running was faster on a narrow track. Me and Andy reached the road again together most runners now crossed the road climbed almost immediately traversing the face which ran parallel to the road, me and Andy just ran down the road then did a 90 degrees left turn to climb the face head on. I don’t think this gained us any time but it was easier on the feet; traversing steep faces can lead to blisters as your foot rolls in your shoe.

I would guess at this point we were lying about 10th. Andy pulled away a bit on this climb and the next mile was hard going under foot in very tuffity grass, I wasn’t able to catch him back up. After the tuffity grass was a long hard climb, I was blowing quite hard and found that I lost a few places here, I made check point 4 and it was fast running again, or rather it should have been but by now I was too tried to take proper advantage of the terrain. A couple of easier climbs had us at check point 5 the last one, now it was pretty much all down hill to the finish I picked up a couple of runners, but by now the field was well spread out, as I crested one more brow I could see the cars below me it was a welcome sight, I kept down hilling as hard as my tried legs would let me. Within 50 yards of the finish somebody tried to sprint passed me, no chance I thought don’t you know I have been sprint training with Joe on the Annan track, a quick bust of speed saw me over the line in front of him.

2:04 was my time I came in 15th, Andy was a little over 2:00 John did a PB and just slipped in under 2 hours. After a short rest, err well collapse on the grass it was to the important matter of delicious home made sandwiches and cakes, Oh and loads of tea, a must for me after a hard run. Once fed and watered I made my way down to the burn for a cold water soak in the stream.
One great thing about this race is you could see the runners coming in for a long way as they make there way down the last down hill to the finish line. I was watching out for Nigel Priestly, Jim Buchanan and Johnny Minto, Nigel came in next followed by Jim.
Once over the line Jim showed me his fell shoe, the sole had split from the top and was only join on at the toe, he had tied it together using his lace at the back. This happen after the first big descent to the road, I am sure a lesser man would have gave up there and then, but not Jim he is made of sterner stuff, he must of ran 7 to 8 miles on the hill with half his shoe flapping around like a flipper. Good on you Jim.
Now we waited for Johnny at last he came into view looking good as he crossed the line, I did feel a bit sorry for him as by now all the sandwiches had been devoured although there was a fair few cakes left for him.

A great race, even the rain kept off until after we had finish and all for the princely sum of a fiver, (are you reading this Andy?) we must have consumed that each in sandwiches and cakes, err well I did. Sorry how much is Mabie???

A big thank you to Adam for organizing the event, Rodger for doing the admin, Johnny for the lift, Jim for his inspiration Andy for keeping me on my game and not letting me walk when I could run, Nigel for his advice.

Great day I enjoy the race and your company thanks to you all.

Competitors in this year's race were fortunate to have excellent weather and good underfoot conditions.  Unfortunately numbers were down to take advantage of them.  Rory Longmore returned to Hill Running to gain victory at his first attempt over the route with Nigel Priestley and Jim Buchanan in runner up and third place respectively.  Lady's stalwart Jean Robson once again was thr female winner.  Results as follows;-

Rory Longmore　V50　1hr 33.58

Nigel Priestley V50　1hr 38.38

Jim Buchanan V70　1hr 44.21

Alan Reville V40　1hr 52.23

Ray Baird V70　1hr 56.47

Jean Robson V50　2hrs 13.00

Brian Harper V40

Alan Irving　　　 S　　　　　 All 2hrs 12.01 walk/jog

Brian Wilson S

Rob Cranston V40　2hrs 15.00

Ross Calvert V40　2hrs 34.00 walker.