Penicuik 10k 11/05/08
As 10k races go Penicuik is hard rather than fast as it goes up and down across the Esk valley and for me anyway, the fast mile at the end doesn't make up for the two mile uphill slog shortly after the start.
Five other Porty runners went off at the gun: Werner, Derek, Rab, Graham and recent club member Rachel. The weather was muggy with an ominous black cloud to the west, moving rapidly in our direction.
The spate of road-works that plague Edinburgh seemed to have spread to Penicuik and the police had insisted on lots of marshals. As ever the local community gave great support and there seemed to be someone standing near every bump in the road shouting encouragement.
The race followed its inevitable course with Derek out in front followed by Rab and Rachel, with cracks of thunder and flashes of lightning gee-ing us all up a bit. After about 40 minutes it started to bucket down with hailstones bouncing two feet off the ground. Everyone, including marshals and officials were completely soaked in seconds. So much so in fact that some of the scoresheets were rendered illegible and the results are still unverified.The post-race tea with home made sandwiches and cakes always make this a pleasant fixture in the calendar and a race worth supporting.
Report Douglas Young
Photo culled from Penicuik Harriers with thanks
Results and more photos
