PRAVDA
John Lucas Memorial 50 Mile Race 27/8/06
Sunday 27th August, it is South Lanarkshire. My flyer about the John Lucas 50 Mile race was called From Russia With Love. Thanks to Peter Buchanan’s work it seemed to go down well and Strahaven Striders put a link to our website. I got a lot of feedback when I went through. I told them some of our runners who are as bright as a black-out and had fallen for it. Top prize goes to Tom Watson, with a name like Watson you think he would have had a more detective eye. Tom knew my partner was foreign and got a bit mixed up and thought she was Russian, father in law worked for Aeroflot, hence the free transport to Moscow. No, the 7 seats was a Vauxhall Zafira and Moscow is 6 miles east of Kilmarnock. Got you.
The race is in memory of John Lucas who was a top ultra runner and has done the West Highland Way in around 19 hours. John died after doing the first 3 miles of the London Marathon a couple of years ago.
The course was much more hilly than an East Kilbride runner lead me to believe at Edinburgh to North Berwick. It did not bother me but I told Ian Rowlands of Dunbar to do it, he did, will he ever forgive me? Ian did really well and finished 3rd. Ian had a bit of support from Ann and Stuart Hay who had made the journey through. Our own Andrew Jeske has an injured foot.
The race started and finished in the park which is really smart. On arrival I meet Irene Wilson, I think she might be as daft as me!! Was introduced to some of the marshals who thanked me for coming through. 11 runners started the race and 10 were to finish it on a typical Scottish day. Sunshine, heavy rain, wind etc but it was good conditions for distance running. The route is a cycle route and is marked the whole way round, so, if you fancy a 50 mile cycle and you have a bike carrier then go for it. There was also a cycle race on at the same time, and the cyclists were different class. Even the leaders were shouting loads of encouragement and it went down the line to the kids with their parents who had them on trailer bikes, chariots etc.
The marshals were fantastic and the race was well organised throughout. It really was a special day for me. It was my 11th Ultra and I remember them all vividly. This one has its own special place in my heart and my head. It had the most hills, the smallest entrants and was a real personal experience. There was drink stations every 5 miles and at 50k there was a buffet. I was the first runner to stop for a full scran! Tuna sandwiches home made cake, tea etc. Stopped for around 10 mins but ran the whole 50 miles to finish 7th in 8.37.47. For the last 1.5 miles the lead car had been sent back out to give the other runners an escort to the finish which was a nice touch. Also, each runner was presented with their medal on an individual basis. I was introduced as Graham Henry from Moscow. I announced I expected to see the Kremlin Wall in the park next year. It was rounded off with all the runners having a group photo taken, with one of the runners then giving a short speech to thank Irene and her team for the brilliant organisation and their hard work. What summed the day up was the last runner Ray McCurdy coming in with the escort car who would sound the horn to alert of a finisher, we knew he was struggling and the cut off point was 10 hours. He finished in 9 hours 59 mins 39 secs, you could not script that one. The results, photo’s, split times were on the website within 30 mins of the finish. It was done on a lap top in a car.
The goody bag was a medal to cherish, certificate, tablet, a bottle of beer from the local brewery and a t shirt that made me think of Janice Stirton immediately. Do you remember the night ( before Del Boy Aitchison was in charge of the kit ) and we were told of the “ old stock” in the corner. Everybody turned round and there was Janice Stirton stretching her groin. The t shirt on the back has “Life begins at 50” …..
The winner Terry Mitchell from Fife AC.
The female winner Elaine Calder who recently ran for Scotland.Report Graham Henry
Full results, photos, route-map etc here
Many thanks to Irene Wilson for permission to use the photosJohn's report from this year's event...
John Lucas Memorial 50 Mile Race 19/08/07
Graham you are definitely mad; mind you we all go a little mad sometimes, especially ultra runners. The last ultra I ran was the two bridges and that was two years ago but is sadly no more so I thought what about the Strathaven 50. When I told people what distance I was doing I was met with an are you mad? Even if I started to talk to Rhona about the run it was met with an "I dont want to know," or "you are off your head," maybe she has a point. The way the weather was going on Saturday it didn't look promising for Sunday and I think it had been raining all night. When Graham picked me up at the house still raining at this point but by the time we got to Strathaven it had stopped and the conditions were perfect. We were called to start and Irene Wilson gave a small speech, the do's and donts one of which was you can't drop out. Nothing like added pressure I thought. So 12 mad runners set off on, it has to be said, a scenic but very hilly course. Every time you got up one hill there seemed to be another round the corner. One in particular I made the decision to make it the first of many walk breaks. The high points out-number the lows so here goes. 1 getting blisters at 20 miles, 2 reaching halfway and thinking i'll get to the next checkpoint and pack in. I know its a negative thought but so many thoughts go through your mind. 3 at 40 miles after getting the thought of blisters out of my mind a pain started to come on in my right foot. High points were everyone from marshals to cyclists giving you encouragement. 2 the buffet at 50k which graham mentioned in last year's report although all I had was a cup of tea. 3 another thing Graham mentioned was how the lead car came out to lead you to the finish it was a great thing to do. 4 each runner got their medal and goody bag (well worth the money) given to them individually and then the group photo. 5 the club president having to leave his tea and give out the prizes. 6 like the two bridges there is a great spirit among the ultra runners and 7 finishing. out of the 12 that started 9 finished. Graham (thanks for the lift) 5th in 8.08 and myself 7th in 8.53. Final thought; it was an enjoyable day if you could say running 50 miles is enjoyable. I told you we are all mad.
Report John Pickard
Photo taken the week before at the Forth Bridge 10k by David Bauchop
and posted on his great new website roadrunpics.comGraham's recollections...
Thanks for doing a report John and yes I can take the insults of my mental health but the reality is I love pain. I think life is far too easy these days with cars, power tools, washing machines etc. I believe life should be hard, very hard and do not believe in taking prisoners. Having said that I managed a few firsts this year. I stopped running this year at 32 miles and put my arms around Iain Rae the East Kilbride runner. He was in agony with his knee and was going to hop on one leg for the final 18 miles, if required, to finish. He gave up one year on the West Highland Way due to injury and was so horrified by the experience that he made a vow never to give up again. He had done the West Highland Way again this year and I tried to get him to stop. His wife Angela was supporting him and told her but she would not stop him. A couple of Nurofen later and a bandage he got going again and passed me, a really hard person is our Iain. The good thing is that he swears more than me which takes some doing on these events. We also saw a fantastic performance from our own John Pickard. Longest run before was 36 miles and that was 2 years ago and to step up to 50 miles is a big challenge and John showed what he is made of by coming in under 9 hours. First time I met John was 5 years ago at the Bridges race and I remember the City of Edinburgh vest. Thankfully Janet had a word in his ear and he joined PRC and ran the Bridges 2 years ago with a stinking cold but we got 2nd team prize and a shield. The other runner that year was space cadet Jeske so aye alright then, there is madness in the ranks.
John did not mention the standing water on the course and it was a wade through job in parts but good fun. Same as last year the marshals, food and goody bag were great. Strathaven tablet, Strathaven Beer, T Shirt etc. Thanks to Irene Wilson and her team for just over 8 hours of character building. Also thanks to Iain Rae’s wife Angela whose support consisted of a Tuna baguette after 8 miles, ham roll at 37 miles plus various other foods and encouragement. Just in case any of you fancy a go at this type of event then you do not need to run a lot of miles per week. You can cross train and I get round on about 20 mile per week. I should do more but not had the time so you can do it. You just need to develop the passion and desire to finish. John showed the way. Just run to the next drink station and do not worry about the distance. As Tony Stapley said recently do not be a slave to the watch and just go for it. Never be scared of failure.
That is Irene far right and if you want to study mad people she would be a good place to start. They have invited me back - say no more except Get In There.
Photo courtesy of the lovely Irene.
Report Graham Henry
Results etc. will be posted here
