Braids Cross Country 5/11/05The rain cleared up as we arrived to register for the race. By the time the women had started the sun was out but it was very soft underfoot with large mud ponds in the second half of the route round the Braids golf course. Largely cinder path in the first half, the route rises and cruelly climbs for about a mile to the trig point where there are great views over the city, if you were to look. But it was heads down for the 74 women and 183 men, mostly students from around the country, as the course descends sharply off the top down a slippery rock and gravel path before some single track takes you through gorse bushes and round the second half which follows Braid Hills Drive back to the start. Rather archaically the men run 2 laps to the womens' one.
I watched the women run and tried to take some photos of the PRCers alongside Andrew who was there in his photographer's capacity rather than running. He had the excuse that he is in training for an endurance event. It was less certain what John Forker's reason was.
The men's start was a jostle for position and I saw one unfortunate getting smashed in the fa
ce with an elbow. The climb sorts out the field, and there's a rush to get a decent position before the narrow path round the top end of the course. I recovered my breath on the downhill and as the route crossed the pot-holed car-park I overtook folk skating on crackling spikes. Back onto the muddy path and first time round I tried to pick the least wet route to keep my shoes dry and light. Second lap I enjoyed sploshing through the middle of the swamp. I exchanged places with Donald Shaw a couple of times eventually going past him in the car-park on the second lap. I managed to stay ahead, though whenever the path widened we raced past the guys in front. I could hear him matching me all the last mile so picked up the pace about a half mile out and gained a few yards - enough to dissuade him from coming past in the sprint to the line. (See image on front page.)
I had a fine race and really enjoyed horsing through the mire. We were so filthy we headed home rather than wait for the prize-giving. The field was really strong - any race that finds Mark Johnston and Phil Mowbray unable to break the top 20 is well tough - so I didn't have any thoughts about prizes until we saw the results on the www and realised I had come 1st vet. Another great day out!
Mary Hunter 22.42
Lynn Hanley 24.29
Karen Munro 25.49
Janis Stirton 27.43
Cath Webster 28.52Peter Buchanan 37.06
Willie Jarvie 38.24
Keith Mayfield 40.19
Scott Jarvie 41.13
Paul Eunson 43.10
Werner Kittel 44.45
Douglas Young 52.19Women's Team (3 to count) 15th,
Men's Team (4 to count) 18thFull Results here
Report Peter Buchanan
Photos Andrew Jeske, Peter Buchanan and Mary Hunter
