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Portobello Running Club

Speyside Way and a Crazy Horse 10/4/05

Well folks, 4th attempt at the ultra distance race of 50k along the Spey past the whisky distilleries, up Ben Aigen and the down to the Moray Firth. London may have roads paved in gold but up here it is the land of the golden eagle and golden nectar, plus they let you run an extra 6.5 miles - nae problem.

On race day big G thankfully changed the weather from heavy rain to bone dry but it was windy but in general the wind was from behind. 59 humans started the race and missing with glandular fever was Simon Pryde, an international runner who usually wins by 40 minutes. After 10 meters I decided Portobello should have their moment of glory and took the lead. Much to my surprise I kept the lead for the first mile; that’s a PB for me. Then the eventual winner Carl Pryce passed me. At 6k there was a landslide, but I managed to clamber over this obstacle.

At 17k two girls passed me, face on, riding two horses without incident. About 2km later, I heard the horses coming at a high canter. I have a general policy of never looking back and thought it was a ridiculous speed so did not get out of the way. Next thing one of the beasts smacked my right elbow I looked up to give a torrent of abuse and saw there was no rider. I did look back and the other horse was almost upon me, and this time I stepped to the side.

Was I now in 4th place? Continued on running well and I was running at near half marathon pace but I was feeling good and tried to see how far I could hold off the following pack. Managed to climb Ben Aigen in 2nd place but coming down the hill I started to get overtaken. Managed about 27k in 2nd . I know I had broken all the pacing rules but it was good fun. I was now in 8th place and about 11 miles to go and legs were very heavy. Managed to dig deep and finished in 8th place and 3 minutes off 3rd place so I did not lose a lot compared to the other runners. I was 6 minutes down on my PB but when I got that time I was in a group for 96% of the route. This time it was a one man show in 3:58:31 so 3rd time in under 4 hours and I got my first ever prize in any race as an individual, as 4th senior male got a pair of running bottoms.

On Wednesday, Ben advised of his outstanding time in Paris. That boy needs to run the Two Bridges - that is a great race for crazy horses.

Report and photo Graham Henry

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	*Speyside Way and a Crazy Horse* 10/4/05 Well folks, 4th attempt at the ultra distance race of 50k along the Spey past the whisky distilleries, up Ben Aigen and the down to the Moray Firth. London may have roads paved in gold but up here it is the land of the golden eagle and golden nectar, plus they let you run an extra 6.5 miles - nae problem. On race day big G thankfully changed the weather from heavy rain to bone dry but it was windy but in general the wind was from behind. 59 humans started the race and missing with glandular fever was Simon Pryde, an international runner who usually wins by 40 minutes. After 10 meters I decided Portobello should have their moment of glory and took the lead. Much to my surprise I kept the lead for the first mile; that’s a PB for me. Then the eventual winner Carl Pryce passed me. At 6k there was a landslide, but I managed to clamber over this obstacle. At 17k two girls passed me, face on, riding two horses without incident. About 2km later, I heard the horses coming at a high canter. I have a general policy of never looking back and thought it was a ridiculous speed so did not get out of the way. Next thing one of the beasts smacked my right elbow I looked up to give a torrent of abuse and saw there was no rider. I did look back and the other horse was almost upon me, and this time I stepped to the side. Was I now in 4th place? Continued on running well and I was running at near half marathon pace but I was feeling good and tried to see how far I could hold off the following pack. Managed to climb Ben Aigen in 2nd place but coming down the hill I started to get overtaken. Managed about 27k in 2nd . I know I had broken all the pacing rules but it was good fun. I was now in 8th place and about 11 miles to go and legs were very heavy. Managed to dig deep and finished in 8th place and 3 minutes off 3rd place so I did not lose a lot compared to the other runners. I was 6 minutes down on my PB but when I got that time I was in a group for 96% of the route. This time it was a one man show in 3:58:31 so 3rd time in under 4 hours and I got my first ever prize in any race as an individual, as 4th senior male got a pair of running bottoms. On Wednesday, Ben advised of his outstanding time in Paris. That boy needs to run the Two Bridges - that is a great race for crazy horses. Report and photo Graham Henry