Water of Leith Half Marathon 28/11/09
The Water of Leith Half is a strange beast. Run by two Jims to cheer up the dark months far distant from the Heb3 races, it is 13.45 miles down the paths that follow the Water of Leith from above Balerno to the Indian Restaurant near the Shore. It is tremendous fun, being a handicap race: the 60 or so competitors (mostly Heb3ers) set off in minute intervals, slowest first, all destined to reach Leith about midday.
There were a few Porties this year, Jim Scott, Lucy C, Ben K, Mary, Richard D and myself. Being a point to point we gathered at the finish and were bused to the start. On the bus we were encouraged to get into teams of 3. Its almost impossible to guess who will cross the line ahead of whom so we grouped the Porties by height. Porty Tall: Ben, Jim and myself; Porty Small: Mary, Richard and Lucy. Victory is all about who-crosses-the-line-first rather than the more common place who-takes-the-least time-to-do-it. Handicaps are based on a recent half time.
I had told Richard I'd be gunning for him but I never got close.After a photo (top) the slowest runners are set off in ones and twos and about 40 minutes later the last runners (Ben and I) are set off. Its a bit of a fankle getting all the runners away in this order but makes for an exciting finish as we all converge on Leith.
The first mile Ben and I set off at a good pace and were surprised to see the 3 guys (1minute) ahead not far away. However it took a couple of miles to catch them. Although I had intended not to push the pace initially, the sight of our first victims made me race to catch them and I just began to edge ahead of Ben. I had hoped we would run together for most of the race. Ben has been swapping training for the joys of parenthood and is below his normal fitness. He said I was not far ahead for the first half.
After overtaking the 3 guys - who graciously made space on the dirt path - I pushed on. Not fast enough to discourage Colin Feechan from picking up the pace and coming too. Ben had overtaken him but he at some point overtook Ben and came back at myself. At this point I would have been happy to coast the rest, and take my time at the road crossings. (Its just not worth risking life and limb for a few seconds lost.) However Colin charged merrily through the traffic and I realised if I didn't make an effort to stick with him he would leave me behind, and perhaps stand a good chance of putting a further minute between us. He was obviously in great shape (super vet category) so although I fell behind him I made an effort to keep him in sight.
If you look closely you might see a blister.This took its toll and I arrived at the finish wrung out entirely. I had worn trail shoes to accommodate the muddier sections but there were also many miles of tarmac. I took my steaming shoes off to find the damage caused by pushing the pace. Not a good sign given we were racing Sunday at the Borders cross country.
Ben - focussing on the important stuff. (Reuben)Mary, having run a slow race last year, was given a handicap she was very likely to beat. Unfortunately a runner who had fainted required Nurse Hunter to stop for over a minute. First lady was a minute one second ahead of Mary.
Team Small, with Jim Bruce, organiser. (Prizes were Stornoway black puddings!)Prize giving was at the Waterline Pub afterwards. Although there was no prize for fastest time, team Porty Small (who all crossed the line ahead of any Porty Tall) were the team prize winners. Hurray! Since one of the Jims has moved to the Western Isles, next year Richard and I have volunteered to organise this race (under their guidance). I hope we can match the high standards of excellence the 2 Jims have achieved this far.
Highly recommended.Report and photos pb.
Mary's BlogTHE RESULTS
Runner Handicap Run Time Variance from Handicap
SCOTT, Alastair 1.48 1.42.08 -5.52 Winner
DENNIS, Richard 1.34 1.29.35 -4.25
INGLIS, Alan 1.32 1.28.00 -4.00
DESSON, Andrew 1.37 1.33.10 -3.50
STODDART, Kirsty 1.55 1.51.44 -3.16 First Lady to Finish
OVENS, Frank 1.45 1.41.44 -3.16
COLQUHOUN, Lucy 1.30 1.27.01 -2.59
HUNTER, Mary 1.46 1.43.02 -2.58
FEECHAN, Colin 1.25 1.22.37 -2.23
BUCHANAN, Peter 1.24 1.21.45 -2.15 Fastest time
COLMAN, David 1.42 1.40.12 -1.48
HENDRY, Robert 1.28 1.30.26 -1.34
NASH, Graham 1.25 1.23.54 -1.06
KEMP, Ben 1.24 1.22.59 -1.01
MORGAN, Keiran 1.42 1.40.54 -1.06
THOMPSON, Paul 1.37 1.36.57 -0.57
IRELAND, Derek 1.35 1.34.11 -0.49
SMITH, Graham 1.30 1.29.11 -0.49
CHRISTISON, Alex 1.46 1.45.16 -0.44
YOUNG, Phil 1.34 1.33.33 -0.27
BROADHURST, Lorna 1.49 1.48.40 -0.20
WALLACE, Sandy 1.32 1.31.44 -0.16
MACIVER, Marie 1.55 1.54.50 -0.10
ROBERTSON, Alan 1.37 1.37.11 +0.11
CEDERSTROM, Bernt 1.35 1.35.40 +0.40
BROWN, Nick 1.32 1.32.49 +0.49
DEMPSEY, Valerie 1.48 1.48.49 +0.49
CEDERSTROM, Susan 1.46 1.46.55 +0.55
SCOTT, Jim 1.35 1.35.57 +0.57
MILNER, Jim 1.45 1.45.59 +0.59
SINCLAIR, Ryan 1.35 1.36.10 +1.10
YOUNG, Keith 1.49 1.50.40 +1.40
MACDONALD, Debbie 1.46 1.48.00 +2.00
SPALDING, Maggie 1.42 1.44.07 +2.07
MARTIN, Keith 1.44 1.46.11 +2.11
ANDERSON, Christine 1.48 1.50.59 +2.59
MACLEOD, Maureen 1.44 1.47.07 +3.07
DOUGLAS, Margaret Ann 1.44 1.47.09 +3.09
LIEBERMAN, Mike 1.34 1.37.11 +3.11
BLANC, Paul 1.25 1.28.32 +3.32
FRASER, Vince 1.42 1.45.43 +3.43
MORGAN, Christina 1.48 1.52.10 +4.10
ATKIN, David 1.32 1.36.14 +4.14
WHITEHEAD, Jonathan 1.46 1.50.31 +4.31
TOOLEY, Frank 1.45 1.50.04 +5.04
ROXBURGH, Stewart 1.55 2.00.24 +5.24
FRASER, Barry 1.28 1.33.55 +5.55
GRAHAM, Douglas 1.35 1.41.05 +6.05
FREEDMAN, Nicola 1.55 2.06.24 +6.24
YARDLEY, Alan 1.37 1.43.27 +6.27
QUINN, Noel 1.50 1.57.09 +7.09
LEE, Jonathan 1.37 1.44.14 +8.14
BYRNE, Kate 1.48 1.56.44 +8.44
WOMBILL, Anne 2.00 2.12.44 +12.44
WOMBILL, Robin 1.50 2.12.44 +12.44
CALDER, Mandy 1.54 DNF DNF
NASH, Nicola 1.48 DNF DNF
MACKAY, Iain 1.34 DNF DNF
When we got home Arthur's Seat was shrouded in fog.
