There was a substantial turn out from Portobello at the Carnethy 5 Hill Race this year. The weather had been getting colder all week and there was a bitter arctic wind keeping the temperature low, encouraging folk to wear gloves, hats and more than the usual shorts and vests. Also the course was waterlogged making for slow times as the soggy conditions sapped energy from pink legs. Only after considerable warming up in my coat did I feel able to strip down to shorts.
There was a bit of grumbling on the start line as we were made to hang about in freezing conditions, then as the air-horn mis-fired we set off at sprint pace across that miserable swamp trying to avoid the deepest holes, to run, gasping, up to the gate. Some years it is nearly possible to arrive dry-footed but this year I'd say all 452 pairs of shoes were wet through. Getting through the gate quickly is paramount before too long a queue forms, but the energy expended in that awful sprint leaves you light headed as you slither down the track to vault the wall and wire, jump a stream and begin the long, long haul up the highest peak of the Pentland Hills.
They seemed to have chosen the most heathery route up Scald Law - presumably erosion control - which scratched legs and snagged shoes, then just as you got to the top the freezing wind took over and nearly lifted you off your feet. Then a blustery run down and round to South Black Hill and all the time trying to avoid the deep black muddy footprints that showed where the soft ground would soak up your energy. Towards the Kips there was some respite from the wind but the soft ground caused problems. Coming down a wet slope too quickly I took a 2 yard slide on one foot when it failed to grip. Heart pounding up West Kip before the long descent to the gate. I passed a number of folk having trouble staying upright here. And onto the flattest stretch of the course down towards the Howe. At times
impossible to avoid the mud and squelch, and you would look down to see a shoe entirely disappear beneath the surface. Then try to keep your footing on the steep slope to the burn before sploshing through a puddle as you turn right for Carnethy Hill. Just a few feet lower than Scald Law, the climb comes in 2 parts; up the groove of Crooked Rig which seems endless, before getting a short run round the shoulder to the walk up the top slope of Carnethy. This year the wind blew you up to the top, from where you know it's all downhill to the finish. I was looking forward to picking up the path through the heather we had recce-ed the week previous, however there was a marshal insisting people leave the shoulder early to gallop through the deep heather, a most unpleasant and dangerous business on tired legs, on such a steep slope. Had I looked up, I would have seen Ben Kemp who had been leading the Porty runners until that point, sitting down nursing a twisted ankle. (Later a cheery Jim Heneghan would recount tales of several twisted ankles.)
Back through the gate and across the swamp - always a bit deeper and longer than you would want at this last stage of the race but it makes the post-race school dinners at Beeslack School taste better. Which is a blessing.
Once again Carnethy Hill Running Club rose to the occasion and ensured the whole business of busing 452 runners to and from the wintry hills went smoothly. The hilltop marshals must have had a very hard time of it. Our thanks to them. And well done to all Portobello runners, especially first timers, who ran well under such demanding conditions.
Results,
Peter Buchanan 64.43
Ben Kemp 65.46
Willie Jarvie 66.43
Graham Henry 68.13
Werner Kittel 71.29
Paul Eunson 78.04
Tony Stapely 79.57
Gillian McKelvie 80.39
Jim Heneghan 80.52
Mary Hunter 82.59
David Edgar 89.37(Male) Team 15th out of 24
report Peter Buchanan
full results and photos Carnethy Website
porty photos here
