Prestonpans Half 24/9/06
Rain, rain and more rain. Grant Aitken and his team must have wondered what they had done to deserve the lousy weather they got for the inaugural Pans Half.
Porty vests were in abundance as were the puddles underfoot. The grey skies were so low you couldn't see the tops of the power-station chimneys. And the rain fell in every amount from light drizzle to torrential.
Gillian arrived at the last minute having lost her car key; after a long search it had turned up in her wheelie bin.
We tried not to let the downpours dampen our spirits as we went to the field on the West side of the Pans where the race started. The course followed the coastal path to the main road then at the roundabout before Musselburgh turned back up the hill inland of Prestonpans, about the only substantial hill on the course. I ran towards the front of the race feeling fine for about the first six miles until the light headwind and chilling rain began to dissolve my resolution. About this point I began to run through, rather than round the small lakes on the uneven pavements. There were loads of marshals out at junctions, but wondering if I'd missed a turn I looked back to see Willie and two others close behind. With renewed enthusiasm I matched their pace and tried to keep up. As the route swept round and down to the coast I got a second wind and to my surprise Willie didn't go past. We ran together for several miles both encouraging the other without recourse to speech, until Willie, about 11 miles, pulled away. I was anxious not to drop any further places and did what I could to keep Willie in sight.
Graham stood a mile and a half from the end cheering us all in. Earlier on the route Kerry's family had done the same, and there was great support from locals and police and marshals.
After the long grim road beside the power-station, Prestonpans eventually appeared and after what seemed an age we turned up the road towards the finishing field. Along a sidestreet down a set of stairs then round a fenced off enclosure with muddy corners to catch the unwary then up and across the line. Douglas was at the finish - unable to run due to illness but there to cheer us on.
I had avoided looking at my watch the whole race so it came as a surprise to see 1.18.20, a pb by 2 minutes. In fact nearly everyone got a pb. A couple of folk wearing gps devices confirmed the course was short by a half mile, while others, Tom, preferred the notion that everyone had just run really quickly.
There was a good spread of coffees, teas, sandwiches etc. in the marquee before a prompt prize-giving. Jill won first female - a brilliant effort. I was sorry to see Willie unrewarded for his strong performance, and also felt that had there been team prizes PRC might have done well. Goody bag, (attractive!) medals, t-shirts and spread made up for it though.
If we had had yesterday's weather the run would have been ideal - a big loop round fields with views across the Forth. In the rain it was a bit dismal. But well done to Grant Aitken for organising what is a major addition to the local race calendar.
Report and photos pb
Willie Jarvie 1.17.43
Peter Buchanan 1.18.18
Jill Morrow 1.21.41
Scott Jarvie 1.24.11
Tom Watson 1.24.22
Paul Eunson 1.28.23
Kerry Costello 1.34.15
Mary Hunter 1.36 45
Christina Hussell 1.37.04
Gillian McKelvie 1.38.12
Zoe Leitch 1.38.21
Fen Parry 1.44.39
Full results hereUPDATE. In the rush to get results processed for prize-giving Gillian McKelvie missed out on her age group prize which was mistakenly given to Mary Ennis of Musselburgh, who had crossed the line 3 minutes behind Gillian. Grant appeared later at Gillian's home with a framed photo of Gillian crossing the line as compensation which was a very nice touch. Jill also received similar.
Given the success of this local event and quality of the course, this will almost certainly be on the PRC championship calendar next year.
Sergeant Henry's report...
Sunday 24th September it is pissing down and it is off to the Pans to see the troops in the half marathon. Just over a mile to go and there are 3 in the lead and it is getting tactical. There is also another runner only 25m back so it makes for a finish. Next point of interest for me is Alan Lawson from Dundee who is over 50 and organises the 7 Hills. Alan is on for a sub 80 mins. Then comes the Jarvie/Buchanan duel. I await the result. Jill comes into view and is running really strong and a certainty, I look for a bookie but too late. Great result. Scott Jarvie and Tom Watson are also looking good and hopefully you all get a decent time. Kate Jenkins advised me as she passed that she was never running again, I had seen her on her bike at the Breweries race. That is the edited version, seemingly her foot was sore. I think it might be a Steven Redgrave job.
Tom's report; slightly late, for as he explains,"My apologies for delay in submitting this report, I was made to go the cote d’azur this week, well someone has to do these things." Is he looking for sympathy?
I always knew the race was a bit short, just having a bit of fun with everyone on Sunday. Willie and I drove round the course before the race to check circuit conditions. I did notice that some of the mile markers were a bit out, poss by 0.1 or 0.2 of a mile in some instances. I clocked 12.8 roughly to finish, but if I remember correctly it was fairly accurate up to 10 or 11 miles, so poss last 2 or so miles a bit short???
Perfect running conditions, well, the temp was prefect, pity about the deep puddles in some parts. Felt more like a cross country than road race
I ran with Scott J and Alan someone from Lasswade for most of the way. We kept as a group from about 3 miles to 12.9 ( it was there that Scott found another gear ), nice steady running at approx 6.5 mins/mile, what a difference running in a group at a nice steady and relaxed pace. Best I have ever felt running halves in many years, think it may be the fast interval training that Bert introduced me to earlier this year?
Anyway, allowing for the slight deficit in distance, the times for all Porty runners was very impressive, and adding 3 to 4 mins on per runner still gives good times for all, so well done everyone
report Tom Watson
also one of the local papers (East Lothian Herald?) wrote....
Jill wins first prize and first in age group
Blood was spilt: Mary's broken heel, Tom's broken heart
