Falkland Santa 5k Trail Race 13/12/08
ZZ TopLots of fun things going on this weekend: at long distance, Richard and Graham were running round Rotherham for 50 rainy miles; in the middle, the Majorcan Marathoners are doing 26 Mediterranean miles tomorrow and at the other end Tony, Michael and I were doing 3.3 miles round the woods near Falkland, Fife, dressed as Santas. We had a great time.
Jogging to the start line.
The demise of the Pitmedden Forest Race (due to tree felling, parking, accommodating the runners afterwards, etc.) was sad, as it was a terrific race the last time it was on. Then, as replacement, we had the Falkland Trail 10k which last year became “Santa suited” and this year was shortened to 5k to allow juniors to run and therefore become a more family affair. While each of these changes seemed less appealing I have continued to support these Fife AC shows, as they know how to put on a great event: from exciting routes to the legendary Fife Teas afterwards. While it seemed a long way to go for a 20 minute run I was glad to have taken part. And what with the intensity of the run I was pleased to finish: it didn't seem to be too short; being so full on. The changes provoked a lot of banter on the Fife website which you can follow here. Including comments from a JH from Helensburgh, who in the end didn't run as she has picked up a sore throat.
Looks like rain dear.
What's going on?I reassured her that Santa Suits did not mean fun-runners only. This year there were a number of folk customising their costumes to cut down on sweating and drag. Scissors and pins and swathes of red felt cuttings on the floor – I had taken extra safety pins to roll up and fix sleeves and trouser legs. If you weren't wearing the outfit you weren't eligible for prizes: now this wouldn't normally affect me - a Fife AC race means a strong local field, but I thought since I have been taking advantage of the credit crunch to reduce job workload and train more, and the rain might keep all but the diehards away, never say never....
Note I've rolled and pinned sleeves, trouser legs and pinned closed jacket
It is really fun seeing so many Santas on the start line. Everyone has the same disadvantage and on such a cold damp day its not much of a problem to race in extra clobber. Michael turned up just before kick off but seemed to have misplaced his red trousers. We started off together in the lead bunch of 6 or 7, along the tarmac uphill which after a few minutes ducked along the tractor path and into the woods as last year's route. I ran beside Michael for a few hundred yards until the caffeine drink began to percolate through the system and I immodestly ran through the pack to second position. I was breathing hard but excited and enjoying the buzz. It was confusing to try to identify Santas without club vests being visible, but I think it was Crooky in the lead. We then followed the forestry trails of previous years which climb for a stretch. I dropped back to 5th but knew there was a lot of downhill in the second half.
Exhausted Santas litter the finish as first lady Santa crosses the lineWe were then marshalled off the track onto a smaller trail through the trees on more uneven mossy muddy single track. It was wide enough to let me past one runner and then, after another half mile, another runner. I was trying to remember through an oxygen starved lizard brain how many were left ahead as the twists and turns hid all but 2. Hang on, there's only 2 ahead isn't there? I could hear the footfalls of at least one guy close behind so forced the pace up to full throttle to try and dissuade any counter attacks or, god forbid, a sprint finish. Lots of flat; first muddy then road, past a tractor tactically parked at a junction then a fair stretch of mud splattered tarmac. I had no idea if the course climbed again before the desperate sprint to the line and fortunately it didn't, but kept going for what seemed like an age. Scotty shouted from the engine room, “I cannae hold 'er Captain! She's gonna blow!”
Michael flies across the line. He later revealed that not only had he been for a run the night before but he had also been out for drinks! Go Michael!
I think that's a ginger bread house in the background.By the time we turned the corner and into the last 200 metres I could no longer hear anything from behind, and the front 2 were an uncatchable distance ahead. However I didn't drop the effort until safely over the line and took quite a time to recover; breathing like fury, immersed in the red mist.
Great to see Sarah L back racing (and winning 2nd LV35) sporting the Dick Whittington Santa look.
Here's what happens if you didn't fashion your suit...
mmm stylish - this is Kate F (out of Boston & Fife AC) who took our team photos above - thank youI don't think I have ever won anything at a Fife AC race before (oh there was the Sandy Slither!) so I was delighted to get third overall (second o/40 to Brian C) and finish only 16 seconds behind the winner.
Jocelyn models Puss in Boots?And receive a quality bottle of wine. The bottles (wrapped anonymously) were democratically dispersed, being chosen by the winners from the front table. Tony got one of the half dozen spot prize bottles which helped his recovery. He crossed the line looking like 3 miles at 105% wasn't his usual Saturday run.
Santa's knackered.
Another great outing: thanks very much Fife AC especially whoever made the slightly chewy chocolate squares!
Graham the organiser: what time is it? Time for tea and cakesDon't be put off by the Santa suits, this was serious stuff!
Report pb
Photos pb and Kate FitzpatrickResults here
