Scottish Gas 10k 6/8/06
As a fresh faced youth of some 44 years, I first competed in this event in 1983. At that time it wasn't sponsored by Scottish Gas and was a 10 miler, starting and finishing at the now no longer there, Dunfermline College of Education in Cramond. As it is now, it was a popular race, being used as a guide to fitness for the Edinburgh marathon which followed it about 4 weeks later.
Anyway, enough of these maudlin reminiscences of events of yore and to the task in hand, a report on the Scottish Gas 10K. Still in traumatic shock, following my vanquishing by Douglas Young in the Black Rock 5, I had decided to up my training to 200 miles a week and lower my alcohol consumption to three bottles of wine per day. The race started behind SG headquarters this year, some say to give it extra distance, as last year there were murmurings that it was a short course. I can't accept this however, as I had a particularly good time. Anyway, after a short burst round SG headquarters, the race plunged down to West Shore Road and I was just building up my cadence to its normal superb rhythm. I could see several other Portobello vests ahead of me, but I wasn't unduly concerned as it was apparent that they had set off too fast and I would soon catch them. I sped on, gathering momentum all the while and feeling that this was to be my day. It was at this point, before the bottom of the hill, that Douglas passed me. I totally ignored him, of course, as he obviously had fallen into the same trap as the rest.
The race ran along West Shore Road and I began to note a strange phenomenon; the Portobello vests were disappearing and I was beginning to be accompanied by women runners, some of them wearing t-shirts and not club vests. I put one of my famous spurts on and effortlessly pulled away from them.
The 10K, being an out and back race, is excellent if you are in top form, as once you pass the half way stage, your spirits are lifted as you see how far behind you your rivals are or how knackered they look. I remember this from days gone by when I would always let them know how far ahead I was by giving them a cheery greeting, and so it was still thus, though now in reverse. The first to pass me on return was, well up the field, Ismail Kachoub. He, being a true athlete, couldn't see my Porto vest as his whole being was focussing in crossing the finishing line. Not far behind him was Gerry Scullion. Unfortunately, I made eye to eye contact with him and had to acknowledge his presence. Although I managed to avoid some of the others I had to acknowledge, in race order Peter Buchanan, Janet Dunbar, Paul Eunson, John Forker and Werner Kittel and of course Douglas, who appeared about 2 minutes ahead of me. I gave him a cheery exhortation of encouragement; "I'm catching you up pal" I shouted.
The race out had been into a head wind but on the turn, it became quite humid. I felt still quite fresh and began to pick off runners and then, in the distance, spotted a Portobello vest, flagging. This, of course, was a red rag to the bull and I increased my speed. By the time we had got back to West Shore Road, I could see it was Paul Edwards and by the time we reached the end of this road I knew I had him. It was at this point we turned off and reached THE HILL.( I had forgotten about this). Paul immediately sped up it as, with about 500 metres to go, he had spotted a failing Werner, whom he bounded past. This left me with my last game plan. I would speed up behind Werner to the finishing line and then pass him just before the finish. We rounded SG headquarters on to the finishing straight and I prepared to put my plan into action. At this point,Alex Jackson, stewarding, shouted "come on Willie you can catch him". This immediately alerted Werner that I was behind him and with a superhuman effort, he burst into a sprint and crossed the line ahead of me.
Now for the ups and downs: the ups; there were seven 0/65 men and I was numero uno. The downs;I was beaten by 71 year old Walter McCaskey of City of Edinburgh but then he is British Masters 5K champion and guess who was last Portobello runner home? Age eventually catches up with all of us, except the aforementioned Walter McCaskey.
As Groucho Marx once said, "Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana."
And Douglas Young? He beat me by 1min 15 sec. The trauma has returned.Report Willie Murray.
Here's Paul Edward's version of events...
Not a good start as you know but just made it. Met up with Derek Elms again but noticed he had earphones in so I must have bored the trainers off him last week at Musselburgh (your team did me for a few quid Derek). He did say though he was going to try and concentrate! Started slowly (surprised) in the shadows of other PRCers but suddenly realised I had to stop for a Paula but couldn't decide where as there was still loads of folk around (they're usually away in front by this time.) I couldn't afford the pack to get too far in front (aye right). Totally lost sight of the others then Mary cruised by. Couldn't react in time and found myself all alone. Reached half way in 23-ish so really had some serious work to do! I managed a little burst up to bottom of the hill where I noticed Willie Murray moving in to my slipstream (so Ido have my uses ). Stayed ahead of Willie just, then made a break for the line, passed harvey en route (not sure) and over the line. Didnt see the clock again so will have to wait and see!!! .
Can't wait for wednesdays 6 x 1200s. oh hello Bert nice holiday, good to have you back so soon!!!!! . Well done to ALL concerned, see you soon. ps second time lucky eh!!!!
Report Paul Edwards
Photos Peter Buchanan
Full results here
