Cateran Trail Relay Race 13/5/06
our 6 man teamWhen I am told “I am living the dream” what I often hear is “I am delusional.”
To his credit Willie used neither of these phrases when he asked if I was interested in doing the Cateran Trail. However I did wonder. On previous occasions when we have tried to do team relays the response has been poor. Then there was the thought that if everyone else on the team dropped out we could just run the full thing.
The full thing is a hilly trail run through 23 miles of beautiful countryside from Blairgowrie past Bridge of Cally to Spittal of Glenshee, through woods, over stiles and deer-fences with a fair amount of muddy splosh even on a dry and sunny May day. Its what cross-country should be - undulating and full of obstacles, actually crossing a swathe of countryside; not 3 laps of a school playing field with carpet over the pavements.
We sent in the application form and half the team dropped out. I sent Willie and Andrew an email to say I felt I was unable to go, for with only half a team and one car short I couldn't see how we could overcome the difficulties. Being a point to point relay you end up 23 miles away from where you parked your vehicle. Luckily Willie hadn't got the email and phoned to say Richard had gamely volunteered and that we had a second car. Willie's Mum lives in Blairgowrie and had agreed to drive us to and fro. Champion!
An early breakfast, then Andrew drove the four of us to Blairgowrie where we registered and watched the poor souls who had opted for the whole deal set off at 10am. Half and hour later Andrew and Richard took off with the relay runners doing the first stage up to Bridge of Cally where Willie and I would continue, running both stages 2 and 3.
Mrs. Jarvie drove us up the road and we waited on the trail for Andrew and Richard who came in about 14th team. There seemed to be about 25 - 30 teams and possibly a similar or smaller number of solo runners. Mrs. J. would then return Andrew & Richard to their car back at the start and they would drive to the finish line at Glenshee.
We set off up the forestry trails and - unusually for a race - chatted. The weather was bright but cool; ideal conditions. The surroundings were marvellous and we had about 16 miles of great running ahead. What could be better? We began to pick off the runners ahead, but continued chatting and although keeping a good steady pace, didn't feel any need to go hell for leather. It was just too nice a day. There was quite a bit of muddy uneven turfy bogland with a deal of heathery swamp and puddle jumping. We met a runner from Ochil Harriers who had competed in stage 1 and just wanted to run stage 2 for the fun of it. Navigation skills were not required but you had to stay alert to keep an eye open for the yellow arrows embossed on the fence posts wherever the route came to a juncture. Teams have gone missing in the past. Then in no time we were approaching the change over.
Unfortunately they had a mass start at stage 3 shortly before we arrived there. The idea is to limit the time the last runners will be out on the course and so about 20mins after the first team pass through, they let the rest of the relay runners go. However, because we were running stages 2 and 3 we now found ourselves at the back of the entire field (having gained quite a number of places throughout stage 2.) Ah well, we were never going to win it anyway. After about 3 miles into stage three we passed the back markers and continued to work through the field.
The third section had a really nice wooded section running over pine-needles and tree roots in amongst the forest. The tracks climbed steadily, first dusty landrover trails climbing up to a deer fence then onto a dried mud trail through heathery hills. I wore Walshes, though the trail was so dry it was probably more appropriate to wear the sort of trail shoes Willie was breaking in. All the trails were quite runnable up to about the last quarter of the final hill which reduced us to a brisk walk before cresting the hill and careering down on weary legs to the hotel at Spittal of Glenshee. Andrew took photos as we charged past in a great finish to a great race.
shoes properly broken inWe changed in the carpark and recovered with food and drink in the hotel with all the other competitors, before watching Carnegie dominate at the prizegiving. The fastest individual to complete the whole course managed to break the three hour mark setting a new record. I reckon the 23 offroad miles translate to about 27 or 28 on-road miles, a considerable challenge and one best met carrying fluids or having a back-up crew at check points to give recovery drinks/gels. Essential if the weather is mild. I carried a Camelbak which combined with my running vest, rubbed a couple of sizeable holes in my back - the sort you don't really notice until the shower washes the salt down off your head, then you jump around and make noises like a dog with a stepped on foot. However the soft ground is kinder to knees and feet than tarmac and all other aches were minimal. On one of the few short tarmac stretches Willie and I immediately became aware of how much harsher the metalled road was.
In summary; one of the highlights of the racing calendar. Great work Bob Ellis. Only 2 bad points. No website as yet, but this is being remedied, and 2, PRC need to pull up their off-road-relay-organisational socks! We could field a couple of very strong teams if we put our minds to it.
On the way home we stopped off at Chez Jarvie, Blairgowrie, for some excellent refreshments. Many thanks Mrs. J! Then the drive home which was the low point of the day listening to a rather dull football match where one experienced team tried desperately not to get beaten by another less experienced one, eventually decided by who could kick the ball from the penalty spot into the goal. The poor dears were exhausted because they had been running around some flat ground for about half an hour less than Willie and I.
The next day as I cycled to work (and on the Sabbath, for my sins) I had to squeeze through the crowds lining Princes Street and Dalry Road, presumably waiting there to admonish their team for a lacklustre performance. What some people do for fun.
Photos Andrew Jeske, Mrs. Jarvie, Peter Buchanan
Results in the post
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