Bathgate, Masters XC 3/03/07
No poetry from me this time around. I felt more like singing the blues after what was the last cross country of this season. Despite the perfect weather and all the amazing support along the course ( the marshals even knew me by name), I came home literally licking my wounds.
It had all begun so well. Yes the overnight rain had made it extremely soggy underfoot, but I managed really well into the second lap. I still had Gerry in sight, about 25 runners in front of me, when I lost my footing on a steep downhill section on gravel. Apart from the shock of going down, I grazed my right shoulder, elbow, hip and shin, but worst of all I lost about 30 places or 2 minutes in the race. I was seriously p****d off!
I did finish, mainly due to the fantastic support from the Porty Marshals.
Report Leo Zijerveld
Portobello were asked if we would help out by providing marshals for the Masters Cross Country last weekend at Bathgate. Although most of us would have preferred to have been running I am proud to say 12 of us managed along to help the race go smoothly. I had been to walk the course last week with Martin Hyman who set the route. It is only when you read in the programme notes that in a previous year a race was "declared void as no athlete had run the proper course," that you realise things can go horribly wrong. Martin's hard work, long experience and attention to details, meant that we had to do little aside from turn up, check the course markers were still in place and watch out for corner cutters or injuries. I think Willie and Keith H had to deal with the car park overflow but they seemed to manage without incident. Being the masters there were no juniors or kids races and when the sun came out it was really quite a pleasant way to spend the afternoon. The women were off first and in no time were flying past my stance about half way round the course. I stood pointing in the direction the course took while taking photos and radio-ing in the leading ladies numbers. Lucy was the only Porty running, but in her City of Edinburgh colours.
The women went past twice and I was just beginning to feel I was managing fine when my name came over the radio and I was asked to check out the bridge. There was a small bridge over the burn towards the end of the course which had only been built to withstand an occasional dogwalker or golfer and as you crossed it you could feel the whole thing give. The voice on the other end wanted to know if it had stood firm and did I reckon it would withstand the men - who would be bunched closer and be heavier. I ran to the bridge and said I would monitor it during the first of 3 laps and if it gave way or seemed about to, I would re-route the course over the burn upstream of the bridge. I hastily got out the pegs and tape Martin had given each of us in case, and mapped out the least dangerous course over the water. John from myRace appeared with his camera - never one to miss a possible photo opportunity, and we crossed our fingers as the onslaught of whippets came down the hill at a great rate. The wooden bridge flexed and bounced but held fine. I radioed in the front runners and moments later you could hear the distant loud speakers murmuring. Its fascinating to see all the different running styles and to see and hear the amount of effort some go to, while others (Gerry is one) seem to float round with minimum exertion and maximum results. Then there are the characters who always turn up to races no matter what the discipline.
George Armstrong
Jim Bruce
Judging by Alex Jackson's comments following his appearance on the course I think he may well be sticking to tarmac in future. It was good to see him taking an active part though - I've only ever seen him organising and timing events. Gerry and Leo were the only 2 PRCers running. I was sorry to hear of Leo's fall and hope it didn't leave him too badly dented. Gerry seemed to finish well up the strong field.
Eventually all the runners passed through. Well all but one. As we began to think about gathering in the route markers he appeared, and we followed round the course gathering in all the pegs, posts, stapled direction signs and miles of red and white striped tape. It gives you a totally different perspective being on the other side of the racing scene, and makes you appreciate the people that do it week after week, largely because they choose to give up their time to do it. Hats off to them. We were fortunate to get decent weather and an incident free race. Emails from Alex J and Martin H later, praised the whole team and thanked us for our efforts. Afterwards Amanda mentioned her hands were sore and when I asked why, she said she had been clapping and cheering everyone. In his email Alex remarked upon the "wonderful Portobello Marshals, including the lovely lady at the BMX track who seemed to be clapping and encouraging every runner." That's the spirit!
words and photos pb
