Ship Inn Shell Bay Sandy Slither 4/07/08
Probably the best race of the year! Even the tarmac die-hards were crossing the finish line with smiles and thumbs up. The sunshine and mild evening made the race a summer spectacular and enhanced the multi terrain course that crosses 2 long beaches dodges through a caravan park and climbs a mast hill before dropping sharply into Elie which was orange in the sunshine with reflections sparkling off the low tide. About 10k in length.
Lower Largo or the Med?
Wondering how to get round the point to point nature of the transport problem, I saw that Robert was heading over early Friday evening and we agreed to meet at the start car park. We drove over with Willie and Gillian and met Robert just after 6pm. Such a change from last year when the rain was hammering down the whole time. I had anticipated a lynching if it was like that this year for my part in encouraging this as a PRC championship race. However as the evening was one of the best of the Summer I am now prepared to accept the credit! After registering in what felt like Mediterranean conditions we drove both vehicles to Elie, left one and drove back to the now nearly full car park.
Amanda approaching the finish at ElieThe only criticism of the whole evening was the male wc in the car park was blocked and so hideous I can't tell you about it. After a warm up and stretch we were set off down the couple hundred yards of tarmac before hitting the beach. Hopping over the debris of the high tide wash the trick was to cruise as close to the receding water as possible and find the sand or rocks that gave the firmest surface to cross. However it was a long hard slog across what seemed like about 2 miles of sand that varied from soft and energy sapping, to rippled and uncomfortable with large tracts of shallow water to run through. I started across the beach in 5th position but dropped a handful of places before the Cocklemill Burn, a knee deep stream crossing the beach. It would have been more but for the spontaneous drafting myself and a guy in black shorts and vest managed: exchanging the lead into the headwind every 30 seconds and giving each other a breather before pushing ahead again. We had closed some of the gap between ourselves and the rest of the top ten and got a lead over those behind. All the more satisfying for not speaking a word but responding to each others actions.
Tarmac die-hards crossed the line smiling.
Then through the caravan park. Last year the tarmac avenues were running like rivers and everyone was indoors huddled round tellies. This year the potent smell of barbeques wafted about and I think Scott F lost a couple of minutes chasing sausages round the park. Then turn right and over the little bridge where a yappy dog tried to "lick the salt off" the passing runners until a marshal encouraged the owner to contain the beast before an accident occured. Round the coastal single track and the sun picked out the runners ascending the hill - you could just see the runners waist up crossing the grassy fields ahead, the long grass swaying in the light breeze. Once off the beach several found it nearly too warm climbing up to the radio mast. I was enjoying the course immensly and felt faster than last year in the rain. And the miles flew by quicker for knowing the route.
I think the beautiful weather put everyone in a buoyant and upbeat mood as several times on the single track parts of the course people behaved in a very sportsman-like way giving way to faster runners or in one case a young dude took the breath to shout encouraging things as I overtook on the steep downhill after the mast on the summit. This year it helped to have the steep stone stair descent dry and you could almost ignore the steps and run it like a solid path. I made a few places on the hill and wondered if I would lose them again on the last beach crossing. First it was a swoop through the cornered sharp beach-grass path before heading into Elie, where you do 60 yards of tarmac before out onto the beach again and that last gruelling slog across more varieties of sand; hard, soft, wet, rippled, a bit of rock, more ripples; will it never stop. At this point I had encouragement from both a carrot, the guy just ahead, and the stick, the guy just behind whose shadow caught up and let me know if I flagged he would go past. The guy in front seemd to be getting closer but he probably heard my wheezing and sped up. Then he seemed to be getting away and I could hear the guy behind catching me. A flat sand section and I got some speed up. After an age we all finished in that order no places made or lost in the last mile but quite a lot of hard work done. I was very pleased to come nearly a minute faster (and one place higher in 7th) than last year.
Some people had too much fun.
Izzy Knox and race winner Steve Cairns run back to Largo
Robert looking strong at the finish.
This wild-eyed shot courtesy of Fife AC / David
We had descended from the aerial on the hill.
I walked unsteadily to Robert's car and retrieved the camera. By the time I got back to the finish a gang of Porties had gathered and Amanda was just crossing the line. Everyone had really enjoyed the race - although very tough in parts the weather and scenery more than made up for it and there was a really warm and friendly atmosphere as people hung about chatting and applauding the remaining finishers. We hung around for prize-giving where Willie benefitted from going up an age group last month to win first v/50. I won 3rd v/40 (technically 4th vet but the winner Steve Cairns was 1st vet) and Amanda got 3rd lady. Next to Fife AC I think we had the most team vests running and it was good to see such a turnout to such a fun event. There was a suggestion we find a similar type of course to race on our side of the Forth in the future.
While we were waiting in Elie, Robert returned with Bert and Paul to Largo who were supposed to be returning in their vehicles to collect their passengers. Somewhere along the way they lost sight of this target and after eating and changing they eventually remembered that they had to return to Elie to collect their now shivering passengers. Meanwhile we were standing at the road end where a Friday night fracas was threatening to break out in the local pub, wondering what sort of accident could be delaying our lifts?
I think in the future the answer to the transport question might be to arrive in Elie, park and get a local bus which goes to Largo in time for the race start. Other than that it was a brilliant night and well organised event. (And the wine was very tasty also.) Top marks and if we could have the same weather next year we'll definitely be back.
Report pb
Photos pb, Scott and Victoria (for the team shot at top of page who happened along,) many thanks!
Results and further photos here
Willie wins a bottle
...as does Amanda (prizes presented by international superstar Andrew Lemoncello)
Back in Largo car park.
It was 11pm by the time we got home.
