Dunbar Ten Mile Multi Terrain Race 7/10/06
Bright and breezy weather for one of the best races on the running calendar. An army of PRC tops warming up in the sunlight. Best to run lots of laps of the grass track outside the excellent Hallhill sports centre, before the traditional hundred yard dash start to the first corner. (Graham Henry to blame.)
I thought this was remarkably similar to last year's start photo - see below.....
2005Ben quickly moved to the front and I tried to keep him in sight for the first 10 minutes. Also moving quickly were Brian Marshall and Alexandr Fedorov who rapidly caught up with Ben. Through the houses then a right turn and down the long road to an underpass and some gravel, giving way to the first off-road trails. Along some fields then after a short slope, a style and a dip then onto a farmers track. Through a farmyard then down a track to a turn into a field. Unfortunately there was a missing marshal or a sign had blown off and the first three, Alexandr, Brian and Ben ran, as instructed at the outset, straight on as there was no indication to turn. As the following pack included (I think) Ian Rowland, local to Dunbar, he let us know we should be turning right and sure enough at the other side of the field was a yellow sign confirming the route went this way. Realising the route was short a marshal, Ian returned to the gate to guide everyone through. Well done Ian.
As we went through the exit on the other side of the field we could see the previous three leaders coming up the hill towards us, having run to the next right turn, along a parallel to our route, then back up the hill - running maybe ½ a mile extra. I was feeling very bad about this, as I was now in second place when I should have been about 6th. Ian Rowland gamely continued his run after the entire field passed through, but he had sacrificed any chance of a position. The original leaders fared better and quickly caught the pack though Ben tells me he had to work hard after being hemmed in on the ascent that begins there and never really lets up until the trig point about halfway. He passed me, going like a train, through the second top fields, and I could see he wasn't discouraged. I knew he would want to reclaim the lost places and in no time I saw him on the tail of the fourth place and moving forward.
Such controversy managed to distract from the immediate discomforts of running through lumpy fields. Some said they enjoyed the views over the forth but I only saw my feet and the big mushrooms to the side of the fields. Up and over the grassy hill and trig point then a scamper down the slope and through a gate, right turn, downwards, left turn and careful on those slippy mud tracks. I'd looked behind at the top to see if Willie was going to make the second half unpleasant for me, but there was no sign immediately behind. Janet said later she could see Willie and myself ahead so they weren't far behind.
Almost enjoyed the fast pace down the hill to - my mind goes a bit blank here - possibly some up, some down, then there's a turn and those awful fields where tired legs feel like each is shorter than the other. Some joker makes it worse by going past. I try to duck in behind to get some lee from the stiff breeze but he is moving well and puts ground between us. Spat out the fields, a right turn takes us down a descending tarmac road that dares you to open up your stride to max. I stay the same distance from the Dunbar vest ahead knowing that if I can't catch him here, he is taking home the shield I arrived with. We come to a turn, an underpass and I know we are into the last mile. The diagonal green stripe ahead seems a little closer but I am also trying to monitor the guy behind - and keep him there. The concrete slabbed path is wet and slippy and I curse the traction trying all the while to stay to a dry line. As we get to the woods I get a big lift from Scott Hutchison, spectating, not running today, but shouting encouragements, saying I can catch the guy ahead. I switch on turbo, but the guy is just going too well.
The last sweeping curves through the woods are fun and we pop out onto the road for a left turn and 150 yards to the field and the rugby posts that mark the finish. By the time I get to the grass the guy ahead (Grant Noble, Dunbar) is over the line, but I sprint flat out to avoid the one behind catching.
Ben regained his third place. I was sixth. In no time another six have crossed the line including Willie and Janet. If Willie looked slightly flustered it was maybe down to Janet going past him towards the end of the race, before Willie raised his game and came in 9 seconds ahead of a delighted Janet, first woman, and a scorching performance. Jill also had a great race coming second woman, (finishing alongside Moray) and together with Shelagh they nailed the team prize. I thought we were going to get a magic fountain from Shelagh as she crossed the line and held her hand to her mouth, but she managed to hold it together as she had in the race, despite swapping places with both Kerry and Mary, (both running very well) before gaining ground on the downhill in the second half; all three finishing in the same minute. Keith is always strong in the hills, though before the race he confessed that the sea air on a recent sailing holiday had given him such an appetite, it could all end in tears. Not so, and he sprinted home just ahead of Graham. This was only the first 10 miles of Mr. Henry's weekend as he planned to run the Skyline the following day. Some people just don't know where to draw the line.
Lots of great performances and pbs (though strictly speaking not really a full ten miles, apart, perhaps, from Ben!) and great to see such a turn out of Porty colours.
Thanks to Scott and Lynn for coming along in a supporting capacity and to Lynn for taking some cracking photos. PRC dominated at the prize-giving, with Janet going home with an armful of trophies. Well done Dunbar Running Club, all the (cold weather) marshals, Stuart and Ann; excellent race and results up on the www before the end of the day. Hurray!
Ben Kemp 58.49 (3rd Overall)
Peter Buchanan 1.00.28 (2nd MV)
Willie Jarvie 1.01.11
Janet Dunbar 1.01.20 (1st F)
Moray Paterson 1.02.52
Jill Morrow 1.02.54 (2nd F)
Keith Mayfield 1.04.47
Graham Henry 1.05.14
Scott Jarvie 1.05.33
John Bogie 1.06.11
James Boyce 1.06.45
Toby Durant 1.07.22
Paul Eunson 1.07.54
Derek Elms 1.11.55
Shelagh McLeish 1.13.15 (1st FVV)
Kerry Costello 1.13.25
Mary Hunter 1.13.56
Susan Forrest 1.14.38
Drew Costello 1.14.43
Paul Edwards 1.15.33
Douglas Young 1.15.49
Zoe Leitch 1.15.50
Richard Dennis 1.16.39
Fen Parry 1.16.53
Sandi Bomphray 1.19.10
Christina Hussell 1.19.11
Keith Harper 1.19.35
Alison Wilkie (Mrs. Kemp) 1.28.12
Janis Stirton 1.32.11 (1st FVVV)Full results here
Female Team Prize; Janet, Jill and Shelagh
Male Team Prize; Ben, Peter and WillieReport Peter Buchanan
Photos PB, Lynn Hanley
Lynn, being a kind person, doesn't photograph Shelagh in trouble at the finish...
...myself on the other hand...
2nd fastest Kemp
Paul, Shelagh and Fen won raffle prizes.
