Tinto Hill Race 7/11/09
Flying downhill.This race has grown in size the last few years attracting a record 293 runners this time. The bright weather helped make the day but the simplicity of the course – up the hill and straight back down, on good fast trails - has a tremendous appeal.
This was my third time here and although I've been out in the hills a good bit of late I had a couple of reasons to be a bit nervous. One was Marc who took 30secs off me on Wednesday evening over the last mile, although I was pretty sure he wouldn't be quite as strong on the hills. The other was new PRCer Bernie Devoy. Bernie had finished 16secs and 2 places ahead of me at Tinto last year and after that race mentioned he hoped to join Portobello. However it took till half way through the year for Bernie to come along and we didn't manage to get him into a Porty vest until Tinto. Bernie has recently survived the Ben in atrocious conditions and managed a great time despite that, so I suspected he was the man to watch once we set off.
Bernie and Marc recovering.
As Mary was off on a course I got a lift down with Tony, who felt his knees wouldn't be unduly troubled by the 4 miles of grass and scree. It was great to catch up with Tony, ebullient as ever, and to see a pretty good turn out from Porty for this club championship event.
Jamie gives it the thumbs up.
Lynn (shaking Marc's Hand) had a great run, going past Alex (Musselburgh) on the descent.After a good warm up – essential to get the legs and lungs up to speed beforehand – and a chat to a few of the familiar faces, we were set off. The start is a gradual slope that gets progressively steeper with only the slightest levelling off at a couple of points on route to the summit cairn. Marc went past about the gate and shortly after Bernie ran alongside. The three of us stayed within yards of each other as we marched and jogged upwards. Occasionally Marc would pull away but never for very long. I thought the hill would take its toll and he would fall away so was surprised as we progressed that there was no sign of him slackening off. At one point 2/3rds of the way up Tom Scott of Fife pulled alongside. Recently into the v60 category and looking as rangy as ever Tom has been going great guns. Twenty minutes and Marc was still tanking up the hill. He shouldn't be this good. As we got onto the final scree section and the leaders began to hurtle back down towards us I drew level with Marc and gasped out a few words. I was so impressed with his hill climbing; road runners often falter on such unremitting gradients and it had taken years for me to get this far up the field. I knew Marc wasn't looking forward to the descent as much as I was.
Paul dashes for the line with 2 girls in hot pursuit.
Just made it!At last the ground levelled off and we went round the large sprawling summit mound. Marc was ahead by 25 yards but I was fairly sure I'd catch him quickly. I think Bernie was right behind me and at that point I wasn't sure who I'd bet on crossing the line first. I recalled last year when I was unable to keep up with Bernie on the descent. (We appeared in the same photo in the web report.)
Before the race I had been a bit concerned about exacerbating my recent ankle injury, but as we started down the hill all thoughts flew out my head and I went for it 100%. The strange thing was Marc wasn't getting much nearer. He really shouldn't be that good! Another few hundred yards and I began to reel him in then a bit more and I passed. Job done. I focussed on the next runner and in ones and twos I worked my way past maybe 8 or more until the ground began to level and the finish was in sight. Jumped the fence then down the last stretch. Its always just a bit longer than you think and I found I was tiring. Someone went past me – the only person to overtake on the descent. I cruised into the finish considerably more relaxed than if I'd known Marc was immediately behind me. The rollercoaster ride downhill had left him wide eyed and breathing hard but I think he enjoyed it. In fact all of the Porties expressed great enthusiasm for the race, with Rachel saying she was ready to turn round and repeat the process immediately.
Dick Wall adds a certain je ne sais quoi.I had gone up in 26.41 then returned in 11 minutes dead. I was pleased (relieved) to be first Porty home but a bit disappointed to be 40 secs slower than a couple of years ago. Times tend to be more condition dependent and there was a lot of soggy ground to squelch over. Last year when the wind was blowing I was a couple of minutes slower. Well done to all Porties who took part especially those doing a hill race for the first time.
Jacqui and Rachel had organised an impromptu night out at the Sheep Heid Inn to celebrate the end of the club championship. It was good fun but I did feel sorry for Bert's wife Brenda to be surrounded by runners talking about running.
Report and photos pb (and Marc)
Results here
More photos hereHere is Marc's report...
As it was the PRC Championship and as I had ran only 4races, I Basically needed to turn up to this wee hill race (My own fault for not racing at the start, Lol) After speaking to Peter I decided to go out an buy X Country shoes as the thought of running up and down the hill in my new asics did not appeal. Jamie and Graham did fantastically well in their Runners, Don't know how they managed to stay on their feet.
When I first arrived I was a wee bit nervous, the size of the hill put me right off.(I know to you hill runners its probably very small but I am a wee bit like bert, Flat is better)
The boy at the start shouted go and we were off, the first half mile of the race seemed quite easy and I thought this is not going to be too hard. Then all of a sudden I was walking, hands on knees and Peter passed me. At that point I thought Head down, dig in (You're meant to be a runner, head down finger out) so at the flatter sections I ran and at the steeper parts I power walked.
I got to the top and was infront of Peter, at that point I thought do a head roll and roll down the hill and you will be in with a good chance of beating him, LOL!
The new X country shoes stopped me doing that and I managed to stay on my feet. Ran quite quickly down hill for me but Peter still managed to overtake me. Kept him in sight all the way to the finish and as it flattened itself off nearer the end I just about caught him, but he managed to beat me with 5 secs to spare.
Great runs from Graham and Jamie who were wearing Running trainers (Well done boys, don't know how you did it), Douglas, Tony, Bernie and all of Portobello Running Club) Next year, We will see Bert!
Overall I really emjoyed it!
A very different race to what I am normally used to, but enjoyed it all the same.
Thanks to Graham for the drive up and Tinto for the FANTASTIC SHOWERS!
Report Marc Grierson.
(I'm guessing that's sarcasm as there were no showers.)
Rachel has also sent in her report...
If you would have asked me several weeks ago if I was going to run the Tinto hill race, the answer would have been a flat no! Somehow over those few weeks I soften (Lynn worked her magic!) and on saturday lunchtime I find myself sat in school hall at Symington staring at a rather scary looking Tinto Hill. I’ve never done anything like this before and the thought of running down a hill like that terrifies me. The up hill I can cope with, just….
Before we know it we are off, the first bit was a bit of a scramble at the back trying to get past people. The way up consists of some running, walking and something in between. I found it very amusing watching the runners adopt a funny, monkey style position when walking – body is ninety degrees to your legs, hands on your knees although some had their hands on the ground…. Not sure what that did though…
This'll be the monkey walk then? Maybe just the altitude and exertion Rachel but I'm fairly sure nobody had their hands on the ground and also nobody was "literally flying." I think the Carnegie dude behind had already run the Parkrun earlier Saturday morning. Respect.Managed to get to the top in about 35mins, and then it is onto the scary decent. Seeing the leaders literally flying down the hill I did wonder how I was supposed to get down upright, injury free and still in one piece. Tony told me at the start you have to pretend to be a child with no fear. Oh and you have to be a lunatic too! Couldn’t quite manage that (the child bit that is) but I gave it a bash. There is definitely a knack to it and as I didn’t have it lots of runners sailed past me, including Gillian. Managed the down hill in about 17/18mins, and even though it scared the living daylights out of me I thoroughly enjoyed it! Well done to all the Porty runners!
I must add that the next day I spent in agony – not sure what was worse; the stinking hangover from sat night or the extremely sore legs, back, stomach and other muscles I never knew I had!
Report Rachel Berry
Bernie pushing Claire Gordon (1st lady) out the way. (Tom Scott in the Fife vest.)
