Dunbar 10 mile Multi-Terrain 6/10/07
I'm not sure why I love this race so much. Great organisation, lovely food at the end, friendly race and always a sunny day but a very, very hard run.
Normally a large Portobello contingent to this race but due to many running the Loch Ness marathon numbers were less than usual. The news before the race was that due to some cows in a field the farmer could not allow us through so the route had been extended by about half a mile (800 meters we were later informed). No pressure for a PB then. At 11am the runners went off. I found myself alongside Tracy from the club and we had a wee chat to catch up as I hadn't seen her for a while. I was aware Tracy is faster than me, (and I have a terrible habit of starting off too fast) so tried to slow down but the pace suited me. Very quickly the front runners take up positions and I could see Gerry and Willie in 2nd and 3rd place up ahead. It was a lovely day to race although some found it too hot. I never remember how many and how tough the hills are until they start. Still felt strong, Tracy and I running alongside although no chatting now and both wired for sound. Suddenly top of the hill and the descent starts. At this point Tracy and I passed a couple of runners and then were running along with another girl. Of course the descent doesn't last long and then there is that famous word used in races "undulating." At about 8 miles things were still going well. Usually by this time I am going backwards in a race but I was still passing people, well only about 8 but it seemed a lot. I am so alien to this concept and used to being the one passed I was almost saying "I'm sorry" as I passed them. However I didn't. I had sped up at this point and was aware Tracy and the other girl had not followed. My mistake was I thought I was nearer the end than I was. No mile markers at Dunbar. However managed to keep the pace to the end and nobody passed me. Great facilities with nice warm showers followed by soup, sandwiches and a cup of tea. A big thank you to Tracy who kept me going.
Portobello scooped the prizes. Gerry was 2nd Place overall and 2nd Vet. Willie 3rd overall place. Gerry, Willie and Scott won 1st Mens Team Prize.
And the ladies also did well. Shelagh was 1st Super Vet and Shelagh, myself and Tracy won 1st Ladies Team prize.Report Karen Munro
Here's Tracy's report
Uncharacteristically for me, I arrived with 15 minutes to spare before the start of the race, having decided to take a rural route on the motorbike. This however was a good thing, as I didn’t have time to remind myself about the challenges of this course, particularly when training and preparation have taken to the back burner for several months. As usual I was delighted to see the friendly faces of Porty runners which put me at great ease before the start. It was a glorious day, and I felt it necessary for a quick stop to admire the view at the top of Doon hill.
This is not to say that I did not suffer greatly during this race, and the views were not the only thing that I required to keep me going. I owe Karen many thanks, as I would not have continued had she not been in front pulling me along. I did my best to keep in pace with her, but she pulled away in the last mile or so and looked fit and strong to the very finish. In addition to several prizes scooped up by the Porty runners, we were both delighted to have won the ladies’ team prize combined with Shelagh’s brilliant performance on the day. A very sore ride home for me, but definitely well worth it.
Report Tracy Lazenby
Results here
Many thanks to Richard Taylor of Dunbar RC who passed on these photos of the day.
