Dunbar 10k 3/04/10
The saturation bombing of PRC was in great evidence at this, the second club championship race. About 44 of us swamped the start line with a wash of white, blue and yellow. Stuart Hay started the race unconventionally with the snap of a rat trap, and we were off, with a warning not to follow the usual route. This new route took us on a scenic trip round a housing estate then up to the A1.
Greg Nowicki.
A fellow runner shouted “RIGHT” in my ear which I thought was a bit motivationally aggressive until I realised they were directing the lead runners round to the right and not down a slip road onto the A1. A marshal appeared, to man the turn just as we were passing it. Diversion averted, we continued the pleasantly rural course along to a couple of bollards where Ann Hay doubled us back and up to the underpass under the A1. Willie passed as we ran into the breeze and I tried to get the benefit of ducking in behind.
I noticed that Moorfoots had Wull Hynd up front in the number 2 spot and a couple of others ahead of Willie and I. Hmmm there goes the team prize. Still there was a long way between us and the finish and its not over till its over. Next up a sizeable hill. Gareth (excellent on hills) came past and myself not having the breathe to explain we needed him to chase down Wull H all I managed to say was Go Gareth. He went off up the hill in proper fashion and I think had caught Wull by the top, though they changed places a couple of times. And to my surprise I found myself going past Willie and also Garry from Edinburgh AC. (Garry tends to finish ahead on roads, behind off road.) The 5k marker just after the brow of the hill let me know I had done the first half in 18.36 so I was pretty sure this wouldn't be a pb course for me. I was also counting on the fact that with the downhill and less headwind in the second half it would be quicker than the first. I overtook Garry again towards the bottom of the hill. Then one of the Moorfoots came past again. As did Willie. I urged Willie to stick with the Moorfoot using hand signals as I was now in trouble and doubted I could keep it together for the last mile or 2 at this pace. Then someone else came alongside and it was Johnny. Obviously on top of his troublesome calf he looked in great form and promptly went past the Moorfoot ahead. My pleasure that Johnny had rescued the flailing team prize was only slightly spoilt by me no longer being in the team prize team. However Porty pride was saved! And the pressure was off me. I struggled along the side of the A1 looking ahead desperately to see the where the underpass was and the road that would take us to the right turn into the estate grounds familiar from the 10miler here.
Garry pulled up and shadowed me. At first I thought it might be Leo (great to have Leo back to racing - and I loved his comment on the feedback blog) as I didn't get a proper look. I tried to focus on good form and let my mind drift while keeping the pace up. I was being pushed more than was bearable and yet very reluctant to let Garry (my age group) past. I got the feeling he was just cruising on my shoulder and waiting till the last moment before nipping past to steal the v40 prize. (Couldn't be sure of ages of those ahead.) As the marshals turned us left (didn't we go straight ahead before?) the path narrowed and Garry put his cards on the table, going in front as I floundered on the bumpy ground. Just as I was thinking I could hear yet more footfalls behind and wondering how many places I could drop in the last 250 yards I saw the narrow path open out to a road crossing and the finishing field across the way. Hey we weren't going to have to come along the pavement – just 60 yards to the line. This buoyed me up so much I fired the turbo and left Garry and whoever well behind in a sprint for the line. 'Whoever' turned out to be Brian Kirkwood and that may have been the first time I've finished ahead of him, being one of a band of very distinguished older but faster elite.
Gareth had had a similar quick finish dispatching Wull for 2nd place, and Willie (marvellous Jarvellous) had finished (again) one place ahead of me. Johnny had finished in 5th and despite Stuart Hay reading out my name for the team prize it was Gareth, Johnny and Willie took the honours.
Meanwhile Mel crossed the line first lady with Jacqui shortly behind in second. Shery ensured the team prize for the ladies and despite the wind and hill, one or 2 even managed a pb. Kathleen Bolt won her age group.
The forecast rain stayed away for most of the day and the sunshine was an extra treat, as was a can of Belhaven Best in every goody bag, a medal and chocolate lucky. Hallhill Centre is excellent for changing and proper hot showers and the results were very swiftly collated and prize-giving dealt with. (As it turned out Garry and I were not in the running for anything as the top ten were dominated by oldies. Only 3 seniors versus 5 over 40s and 2 over 50s the first of whom was Coach Jarvie.
How pleased were the boys to get a case of Belhaven?Well done to all for the huge PRC turnout over a testing 10k course. And Dunbar Running Club for hosting a very well organised and fun event. (The new route gets my vote despite the hill.) And having the results up by the time we got home.
Just before the race started I gave my camera to Rachel who had decided to support, not to run today. She did a tremendous job catching the start and all Porties at the finish (in rapid fire mode) so I'll put a slideshow together shortly. Big thanks Rachel.
And Happy Birthday Coach Lynn – well done hitting your birthday target time.
Mary's Blog
Results hereMore photos and reports to come - send them in emails of not more than 10mbs please to the email address on left.
These photos from Michael's wife Monika...
Stuart fires a rat trap to set us off...
I cropped to this close up for the nice angle of attack adopted by the front row.
Michael and Greg
Photos Monika Nowicki
Here is Gareth's report...
I set off at a reasonably steady pace and found myself at the back of a group with Peter and Willie, with a few early pace setters a bit further ahead. After going under the A1 we started on the long steady climb. I stepped up a gear and started overtaking, I looked up the road and realised there were only two runners in front of me. Continuing to push the pace I gradually managed to catch Wull Hynd to go into second place with just Ken Chapman in front of me when we got to the top of the hill.
This was unfamiliar territory for me as I'm not used to being so far up the field! I was determined to do my best to hang onto my top three position and extended my stride as we started on the downhill part of the course. Although I wasn't quite fast enough to bridge the gap to Ken I was pleased that I was able to keep up the pace as we went back under the A1. Wull eventually caught me up on a downhill section but fortunately I still had enough strength in my legs to go with him as we dodged the potholes in the off-road section of the course.
As we went round the final corner I overtook Wull and started my sprint for the finish. I was delighted to cross over the line in second place in 35:22, a big chunk off my pb. It was great to see so many runners from Portobello competing and it was fantastic to win both the mens and ladies team prizes as well as a number of individual prizes!
Report Gareth Green
