Musselburgh 6 Miler 28/07/07
A busy weekend with 2 races, the first round the lagoons at Musselburgh, finishing on the race course, the second a coastal 7 miler in Aberdour. It was notable that the only Porty brave enough to do both was Douglas who celebrated his 60th birthday on Saturday after the race - making his appearance at Donkey Brae all the more impressive. Congratulations - looking good!
Having been off running with cold bugs for a couple of weeks (the rainy Sandy Slither got through the weakened defences) I decided to spectate at Musselburgh. The start was the same as last year - from the bridge in town rather than on the race course - then a couple of times round the cinder paths before heading down the windy home straight to the line. I missed the start but by the time I got to the course Willie was a short way behind the leaders and looking in good form. He had run a very brisk 5.11 at the meadows the previous Wednesday,* and moved through the front of the pack in the second lap. Gerry was behind a couple of minutes and was perhaps not back to top form after returning from an illness. The wind made everyone's job that bit harder.
Willie making it look easy.
Is John hiding from the wind or the camera?
John and Douglas ran tactically (chasing other runners into the wind) with Douglas pulling away with the finish line in sight. Graham ran his first short race in quite some time - he seemed to be enjoying the bright weather and perhaps the fact that it was 4 or 5 hours less intense than his usual. To make up for the lack of stationery goody bag of previous years' the finishers' memento was an attractive perspex cuboid with runners etched in the centre and made me wish I'd braved the wind.
Willie Jarvie 10th 35.50
Gerry Scullion 26th 38.35
Graham Henry 28th 38.49
Douglas Young 79th 44.34
John Forker 86th 44.43Full results here
Isobel also ran both races this weekend
Alex doing more than just timing the race.
Dunbar had a good team along.* There were Porties in 3 different teams at the Run and Become 3 x 1 mile relays. All finished within sight of each other and a special mention should go to John Blair who changed places with Bert a couple of times over the mile giving the latter something to think about; Bert only just managing to pull ahead in the home straight. Great photos on the Run and Become site here. About time John came back to Wednesday night sessions?
pb
This race is probably one of my favourite races, it is always sunny and there is always a guy out with his hose at three and a half mile mark hosing people down who are finding it a bit hot. The route has lovely sea views and trail paths to run along and it is a bit up and down so it is never boring.
Bert and Paul picked myself and Peter up on a lovely sunny morning. We arrived in plenty of time to pick up our numbers and timing chips. Scott, Amanda, Dougie, Sally and lots of other Porti runners started to arrive as we started to warm up. I felt so relaxed I began to think I was maybe too relaxed but Bert assured me this was a good vibe and I was going to win . Well he was right!!! I had a brilliant run and most of all I enjoyed it which was my main aim. When I reached the five mile mark I thought, gosh is that 5 mile already? So I think that says it all. Even at 6 mile I was running along with a guy who was doing the same pace as me and he said you're running well. I just said oh not long to go I'm tiring. What a good feeling to be winning as well. I collected my shield with a big smile on my face and celebrated with a few drinks last night.
Report Janet Dunbar
Donkey Brae is a great race - very scenic; if you can take your eyes off the undulating tracks for a second. Although there is the short stepped hill of Donkey Brae within the first and last mile, the course is never flat for long as it follows the twisting coastal path along Dalgety Bay and back for a warm 7 miles. Always popular and nearly always sunny the race used championchips this year. Ten of us turned up (low for a championship race, possibly due to the race the day before) and there was a consensus that it was really good. (Well Amanda may not have been entirely convinced but she was still recovering from 16 hilly miles on Friday night and some wine the night before. Also Sally had been overdoing the vin rouge on Friday night and related she was happy to get round without incident.) Scott was focussed (on the tray bakes) and I was grateful he had also been for 16 miles on Friday and that might have kept him from breathing down my neck during the race. About half way I had a look and he seemed dangerously close but by the end I had pulled away.
Many thanks to Bert for the lift there and back - luckily the “music” was mostly at too low a volume to appreciate. Later checking the results I was pleased to see I had come 11th. Well done to Janet who came first. Well done to Sally for coming first vet (despite hangover) and great to see lots of familiar faces - Isobel Pollard (who also ran Musselburgh) Mike Lieberman (always smiling), George Armstrong and Steven Maley who will hopefully soon manage along on Wednesdays often enough to get himself back into a PRC vest. A fine day out.
Report pb
Peter Buchanan 11th 42.24 (Chip times - about 3 or 4 secs faster than gun time)
Scott Ferguson 17th 43.10
Janet Dunbar 21st (1st woman) 43.35
Bert Logan 34th 44.43
Amanda Henderson 59th 47.34
Keith Harper 68th 48.15
Sally Scott 69th (1st Vet) 48.26
Paul Edwards 82nd 49.50
Stephen Maley 143rd 54.07
Douglas Young 145th 54.09Full results here.
Gala King Andrew Travers and Gala Queen Beth Johnston presenting medalsPhotos PB, Mike Lieberman, Stephen's father-in-law, Jennie Willies
