Race Reports

The following race reports are from just some of the events that Cairngorm Runners have participated in during 2008:

• Aviemore Highland Half Marathon
• Carrbridge Challenge 3k & 5k Forest Runs
• Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and 10k
• Creag Bheag Hill Race, Kingussie
• Grantown Try Tri
• Moray Half Marathon and 10k
• Around the World in a Day Challenge
• Laggan 10k

Can you contribute a race report?

Aviemore Highland Half Marathon

A new champion took first place at the Third Aviemore Half Marathon on Sunday 19 October. Tommy Lawrence from Carnegie Harriers crossed the line in 1h 16m 04s, just a mere 7s ahead of previous two-times winner Simon Pride of Forres Harriers (1h 16m 11s). Despite predictions of rain and gales, the weather was kind to all those who took part, although gusting wind presented an additional challenge. A total of 874 competitors completed the new-look 13.1 mile course which took them through the forests of Badaguish, around the shimmering Loch Morlich, down the newly opened cycle path to Inverdruie, then along the main street in Aviemore to finish to the welcome cheer of the large crowds in front of the Four Seasons Hotel.

Local running club Cairngorm Runners achieved outstanding results from their field of 19 entrants, especially given that for many of them this was their first attempt at the half marathon distance and all ran faster than their anticipated times.

First Cairngorm Runner home, and in 60th place overall, was Sandy Grigor who ran his third Aviemore Half Marathon with a blistering achievement of 1h 30m 19s. Frances Bain put in an impressive performance to be first lady from the club home in 1h 49m 17s, closely followed by Annie Fraser (1:50:33). Nigel Rollason, who was taking part for the second time, was astounded to find he had improved his time by a massive 23 minutes, finishing in 1h 50m 50s.

According to the released results from the organisers, the Speyside Trust, based on the initial “gun” times, other Cairngorm Runners results were:

Fiona Grant (1:58:08), Katie Hanson (2:00:07), Brenda Paul (2:02:10), Pauline Mitchell (2:07:44), Julie Spittle (2:07:55), Dawn Cranston (2:09:34), Jeannette Meldrum (2:10:01), Avril Bruce (2:13:36), Steve Wall (2:14:36), Marilyn Hemingway (2:16:10), Melanie Clouston (2:16:10), Jessie MacKintosh (2:16:35), Wendy Grigor (2:18:32), Natalie Aird (2:23:02), and Melissa Wall (2:24:08).

Cairngorm Runner Steve Wall who has also completed all 3 events ran the whole way in Army combat uniform and boots carrying a 50lb pack to heighten awareness of ‘Help for Heroes’ a charity looking after injured soldiers, sailors and airmen whilst serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. His pack weighed the same as those carried by our boys fighting the war on terrorism but of course they also have to contend with the harsh conditions, hostile environment and searing heat. He said “The crowd were fantastic and other runners encouraged me on and I was delighted to get round without walking and in a reasonable time but was more delighted at how well the rest of the club ran”.

Jeanette Meldrum commented “We were very lucky with the weather, and the scenery was great.” Fellow club member Pauline Mitchell said she was delighted that all the participating Cairngorm Runners not only managed to complete the course, but did so in less than 2h 30m. She said “Although I have never run this distance before, I felt that I was able to keep going comfortably. All the club training has really paid off.” Melissa Wall anchored the team home despite running the last 6 miles with a chronic knee injury told the Strathy “I did it! I am so delighted to have completed 13 miles having only started running 2 years ago and even though I was injured I still beat my predicted time. We have our end of season party and prize giving tonight but after today’s results I think we are all winners, but my thanks go to the team at Badaguish, all the volunteers who helped make it happen and ensured we all enjoyed a fantastic day showing off our beautiful natural heritage.” Photos from this event are in the Photo Album.

Carrbridge Challenge 3k & 5k Forest Runs

Over 150 competitors took part in the Carrbridge Challenge 3k & 5k Forest Runs which were held on Sunday 12 October in conjunction with the annual World Porridge Making Championship. Jessie Mackintosh completed the 3k in a splendid 15mins. In the 5k, Steve Wall achieved 8th place overall, and first Cairngorm Runner lady home was Brenda Paul (27m), closely followed by Melissa Wall (28m), with Natalie Aird (31m) amazed to find she wasn't last overall. Melissa's attempts to get a press photographer to take a wee snap of Steve with Miss Scotland was sadly met with a look of contempt, it seems you have to be the porridge champion to qualify for that privilege!

Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and 10k

Records fell at the 2008 Baxter’s Loch Ness Marathon and Baxter’s River Ness 10Km races on Sunday 5th October with over 6000 competitors from 55 different nations taking part. The winner of the men’s marathon set a new course record in 2hrs 28 mins 05 secs and the winner of the 10Km also ran a new record of 29:35.

Lisa congratulates Jeannette
on completing her first
marathon. More photos
from the Baxters 10k
and Marathon.

Kincraig-based Jeannette Meldrum from the Cairngorm Runners completed her first ever marathon in 4:57 which was a massive achievement given that she only started running 3 years ago. The newly qualified jog leader looked in amazing condition crossing the line after nearly 5 hours of running and was cheered home by husband Dennis and a dozen runners from her club who had themselves completed the shorter 10km race earlier. Jeannette told the Strathy “It was the most amazing experience, and I feel just great, it started cold but ended up a lovely warm run through some amazing scenery. I am now off for a well earned leg massage”.

An impressive field of 2112 competitors took part in the Baxter’s 10km race and Cairngorm Runners set their own records by turning up in force (17 runners) and 8 runners achieving a personal best (PB) time. Aviemore’s Sandy Grigor was once again the first club runner home in an impressive time of 40:24, his son Iain was next home in 45:43 making it a family one two. First female home and also from Aviemore was Annie Fraser in a personal best of 47:29 who also kept it in the family as her son Rory ran also ran a personal best time of 52:59. Annie and son were joined at the start line by her 2 brothers and sister-in law who ran with friends up from London making it a real family day out ably supported by her sister who had to get them all to the start and round them all up at the finish which was no mean feat with so many competitors. Annie said “It was so well organised and a lovely scenic route along the River Ness and it was so great to have Rory and brothers Keith and Callum run in such a great race that started and finished to the sound of Pipers”.

Cairngorm Runners at the
Baxters 10k. More photos
from the Baxters 10k
and Marathon.

Other Cairngorm Runners that took part were Dave Machin (over 60) 48:23, Katie Hanson 50:44 (PB), Pauline Mitchell 52:56 (PB), Dawn Cranston 54:34 (PB), Avril Bruce 56:06 (PB), Val Machin 56:09, Marilyn Hemmingway 57:12, Steve and Melissa Wall ran in together in 57:23, Lisa Lawson 57:43, Coralie Hamilton 58:52 (PB) and Cath Harris 69:07 (PB). Pauline Mitchell ran a fast race and told us “Baxter’s presented all runners with a great medal and a fantastic goodie bag complete with samples of all Baxter’s favourite foods”. Female veteran runner Val Machin from Kingcraig commented that “It had a true Highland feel with Pipe Bands, Saltires and kilts and Hog Roast, Stovies and Porridge on sale”. Aviemore based Dawn Cranston said “The day was brilliant, a great race although very congested at the start, friendly runners and great support along the way but the real winners were the charities that everyone ran for”. Club Secretary Cath Harris said “It was a wonderful sunny autumn day with great support and I am delighted to have run my fastest race despite carrying a hip injury”, Cath went on to say “Cairngorm Runners made a big effort today and with so many personal best times it shows that our club training has paid off. We will be celebrating our end of season with a function at the Woodshed following the Cairngorm Half Marathon in 2 weeks time”.

See the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and 10k Photo Album.

Creag Bheag Hill Race, Kingussie

Thanks to Brenda Paul for sharing a hidden gem of an event with us! On a Thursday evening (11 September), 16 members of the club took part in the Creag Bheag Hill Race at Kingussie. This was an informal local hill race over Creag Bheag (3.5 miles, 800 ft climb). It attracted 29 entrants to take on the circular course which began from West Terrace and ran over the golf course and then onto the challenging terrain of scrambling up and down Creag Bheag. Hopefully we can boost the numbers with even more Cairngorm Runners next year? Cairngorm Runner results: Sandy Grigor 33:00; Frances Bain 39:27; Dave Machin 41:21; Brenda Paul 42:07; Fiona Grant 42:09; Julie Spittle 42:15; Nigel Rollason 42:22; Ali Johnston 42:57; Coralie Hamilton 46:39; Avril Bruce 46:44; Jenny Devlin 46:45; Annie Fraser 47:16; Dawn Cranston 47:40; Jeannette Meldrum 47:50; Val Machin 51:25; Natalie Aird 56:32. Photos from this event are in the Photo Album.

Grantown Try Tri

Several members of Cairngorm Runners participated in the Grantown Triathlon on Sunday 7 September. Congratulations to all who took part, and a special mention must go to Marilyn Hemingway who won a medal for 2nd place in the Ladies Supet Vet category! The impressive results were Steve Wall 1:11:01; Marilyn Hemingway 1:27:15; Lisa Lawson 1:27:56; Dawn Cranston 1:29:30; Melissa Wall1:44:46; Cath Harris 1:51:21. Well done, all. See the Try Tri Photo Album.

It seems the day was quite eventful, with Lisa's bike being broken at the start and Steve rushing over to fix it despite being barefoot in his swimming trunks. Apparently, Lisa also stood in line for the swim in her swimsuit, only to realise she'd forgotten to take her bra off, so she then had to remove it quick and put it in one of the school drawers for safe keeping! Whilst Steve shouted encouragement to Melissa in the pool, she tried to retort but ended up choking on the pool water and had to stop mid-swim. And Marilyn completed the 10 mile bike ride with her cycle helmet on back to front, then skidded into the marshals trying to get her to dismount and finally ran the wrong way out of the transition area!

Moray Half Marathon and 10k

Three members of the Cairngorm Runners took part in the Moray Half Marathon and a further two completed the Moray 10k, on 7 September. Sandy Grigor was first Cairngorm Runner home in the half marathon, with an excellent time of 1h 31min. Other runners also achieved great times: half marathon - Fiona Grant 2h 1min, Jeanette Meldrum 2h 11min; 10k - Wendy Grigor 1h 1min, Natalie Aird 1h 6min. Photos from this event are in the Photo Album.

Around the World in a Day Challenge

Eleven Cairngorm Runners joined in the Hilton "Around the World in a Day" challenge on Sunday 29 June. Hilton hotels across the UK and Ireland took part in the challenge to cumulatively complete the circumference of the earth, 24,901.55 miles in just one day.

Through a mix of sharp showers and sunny spells, participants at the Hilton Coylumbridge managed to clock 198 miles and raised £2000 for the Speyside Trust. Two routes were available - a 2k linear route to the Lily Loch and back and a 6k circular route via Blackpark, towards Loch an Eilean then returning past the Lily Loch.

On the 6k event, first man home was Cairngorm Runner Dave Henderson in a time of 25m 23s. First woman home, also a Cairngorm Runner, was Katie Hanson in 31m 40s. The prize for the most miles was won by the Club Chairman, Steve Wall, who completed the 6k route twice in 48m 45s. Congratulations to all of them!

According to Hilton's website, they succeeded in circumnavigating the earth with a total of 25,028.93 miles and still counting! More information at: www.hilton-foundation.org.uk/ATWIAD/world.htm

Laggan 10k

In case you missed it in the Strathspey & Badenoch Herald, here's our club report:

Thirteen members of the Cairngorm Runners took part in the Laggan 10k Highland Road Race on Saturday 31 May. Despite the exceptionally warm and sunny weather, and a few members running with injuries, all of the Cairngorm Runners managed to complete the undulating "out and back" course from Laggan Village Hall along the road to the reservoir, enjoying the spectacular scenery along the way.

Cairngorm Runner Melissa Wall said "Despite running in the 'Mediterranean' heat, and with an injury, I really enjoyed the Laggan 10k and the fantastic hospitality of the Laggan folk which made for a great day out all round for the Cairngorm Runners."

Undeterred by the heat, Sandy Grigor was first from the club home and Jeannette Meldrum was delighted to find she had managed to knock 10 minutes off her previous time at this event.

Natalie Aird commented "I found the course tough going, with no respite from the sun, but running the last 30 metres to the finish cheered on by the crowds and fellow club members gave me such a buzz. Thanks to all involved in putting on such a good event." Photos from this event are in the Photo Album.