Kirkcudbright Half 24/05/08
It's almost as far south as you can go and still be in Scotland, but
Kircudbright is still worth the trip for a summer half marathon in lovely
countryside around the Dee estuary and the surrounding hills. I've always
done a good time there, partly due to the short course. Everyone suspected
this was the case, but the advent of Garmins has meant there was no hiding
the fact. Last year I measured the circuit at 12.93 miles. This year the
first quarter mile around the Kircudbright Academy playing field was gone,
along with the field, and replaced by an uninspiring tour of bungalow-land.
After about five minutes we re-appeared on the High Street and followed the
usual course around the harbour, across the Dee bridge and out along the
coast.
It's about 4 miles before the course hairpins off the coastal road up into
the hills towards Twynham village at the highest point. I'm not sure what
the rise is but after a sharp start it's a steady climb that I can manage at
a semi-reasonable pace (unlike the Balerno Rigg, but that's another story).
Two to three miles later the runners hare down into the village and then
back up the same steep route to the top road back towards Kircudbright.
After that there's about a mile on the flat then another mile belting down
to another coastal road that curves a very long, flat three miles back into
town.
As always, the weather was fine and sunny and there were seven PRC entrants:
me, Katie & Johnny Blake, Kerry, Cath, Eileen and Sandra. Drew ran in the
new 11K race. I noticed on the trophy stand that Lucy had won the woman¹s
race in 2006 - in 1:18, I think. I also remember Shelagh winning the FV
prize a few years ago when the club took a busload down.
Eileen had a bad race due to stomach trouble but everyone else seemed
pleased with their times. Like Haddington its a hilly course but
surprisingly fast. I was a minute slower than last year at 1:41 which was
nicely accounted for by the 200 extra metres I measured on my Garmin. Kerry
was only a few seconds behind, getting well back into form after letting
motherhood get in the way of running last year. Johnnie was pacing Katie who
is likewise finding form again and they came in close behind followed by
Sandra, Cath and Eileen. Drew placed 14th in the 11K race which has to be
an excellent result.
Report Douglas Young
Photos; not sure who took them but thanks
