Race Reports - January to May 2009

Nairnshire Challenge Duathlon, 24 May 2009

Reported by Annie Fraser

Three Cairngorm Runners, Coralie, Annie and Dave, found the "challenge" should be taken literally when entering this event. The 13-mile running section was extremely arduous over undulating terrain with spectacular views at the summits, if you were still capable of enjoying them. The change-over location was a welcome sight and the transition was very efficiently managed by the volunteers. We set off on our bikes on the 18-mile stage, enjoying being off our feet, when lo and behold we faced a gruelling but short steep ascent, but having tackled this we enjoyed the remaining ride to the finish.

Overall the event is very well organised and runs like clockwork. Each watering station provided water, bananas and mini-mars bars (yum yum!). The location is quite special with a varied landscape and a beautiful scenic environment.

We were all pleased with our times, but would we do it again?....ask us in a couple of weeks!

Results:

Photos from this event are in the Photo Album.

The City Of Aberdeen Baker Hughes 10k, 24 May 2009

Reported by Wendy Grigor

Three members of Cairngorm runners took part on Sunday 24th May in The City Of Aberdeen Baker Hughes 10K road race. The race started at 09.30 am, on a lovely sunny day. There was a field of 2,540. The race start took you round some of the historic Aberdeen harbour area, then along the full length of the beach promenade, turning along King Street returning to Aberdeen Beach Ballroom area passing Pittodrie Stadium for a well deserved welcome from the many spectators who turned out to support the runners.

Results:

Longside Gala 10k, 16 May 2009

Reported by Wendy Grigor

The race started from Davidson Park, (Longside near Peterhead) the first quarter of a mile was on road before joining The Buchan railway line which is now used as a cycle pathwhich was an out and back route from there finishing on The Buchan line just short of the road section. The weather was wet and windy but didn't dampen the spirits of the competitors or marshalls or the organisers, this was a very friendly and well organised event.

Results:

Castle of Mey 10k, 10 May 2009

Reported by Melissa Wall

There are some things that Cairngorm Runners never shy away from including, blizzards, midges and travelling to races, however a 300 mile round trip for this event did prove worthwhile for Wendy Grigor, Cath Harris and Marilyn Hemingway who reported the event as very friendly and well organised.

The race started at the entrance to the castle and wound out towards the sea up a slow track and finished on the main road back into the castle. The course was not as ‘flat’ as our girls anticipated, but thankfully all their training in the hills around the Strath paid off.

Those taking part received t-shirts and goody bags , although unfortunately our ladies didn’t find the enclosed tokens for free coffees and scones until they arrived home! – which reminds me we never shy away from cake either!

Results:

Photos from this event are in the Photo Album.

Benromach 10k, 9 May 2009

Reported by Melissa Wall

Lisa Lawson and Jeanette Meldrum proudly represented Cairngorm Runners at this last in the series of Northern Scot 10km races. 205 runners took part in the ‘out and back’ road race. Although there was a cool breeze the sunshine managed to break through to allow perfect running conditions. So much so that our lovely ladies both PB’d with Lisa finishing in 54.48 and Jeanette in 55.07 and claiming 3rd lady home in her category! Well done girls!

Despite the race starting at the Benromach Distillery, our girls were disappointed not to receive a dram at the finish line, however they enjoyed the tea and cakes provided in Forres Town Hall.

Edinburgh Bupa 10km, 3 May 2009

Reported by Ann MacKintosh

15000 runners, cold, windy, squashed, hard going. Try being small in the first group going off amongst guys who keep asking if you're sure you're in the right place - it's no fun!

The race itself was good and I was very glad to go off at the front as some people had to wait 25 mins to get through the gates at Princes St Gardens. All round the course there were banners saying it was the 10km to beat your PB on but to be honest it was way too busy for that starting and finishing outside the Museum for Scotland. Great if you want a weekend in Edinburgh with a run thrown in!

Glen Affric Duathlon, 26 April 2009

Our intrepid two-some Dave and Val Machin entered this event as a 'celebration' of their 45th wedding anniversary……..'what’s wrong with a cruise on the Queen Mary guys'??

Reported by Val Machin

The event organiser, Matt Jones who runs the super wee campsite at Cannich, promised it would be tough, and he certainly kept his word... The race is described as 7.5mile hill run, 18 mile mountain bike leg, followed by a second run of 2.5mile multi- terrain- mmmm……

Race day dawned grey, chilly but dry as the competitors gathered at the transition area. My confidence was immediately dented by the sight of all these superfit athletes with ENORMOUS quads- I must, I must get out on the bike more... A further knock when mine was the only bike too small to fit on the bike racks- should have stuck to the salsa dancing.

Suddenly we were off, and I was in familiar territory, sprinting straight to the back. The hill run was in the true tradition of fell-running, rocky, boggy, stream-jumping, and a major roped river-crossing courtesy of Kintail Mountain Recue Team - thanks guys. Not at all like our friedly Cairngorm granite tracks; I could see Dave loping comfortably off in the distance just as it was beginning to rain, only a shower thank goodness.

I don't know how a hill run finishes with a big uphill, but this one did - there were no competitors in sight by the time I "leapt" onto the bike, but the marshals were very encouraging and resisted the temptation to look at their watches and shake their heads. The first part of the bike section was smooth tarmac and I was just re-assessing my opinion of mountainbiking, when reality struck, as a sharp turn brought me onto the rough forest tracks - I made a tactical swerve whilst changing gear, and promptly fell off... but as I frequently fall off my mountain bike , and being very near the ground anyway, no blood was drawn - but I do confess to pushing the bike on two of the uphill sections - but then, I usually push it on all the hills. After a very, very long time  it was a huge relief to see the transition area again, and they hadn't all gone home!

I threw down the bike and helmet, said hello to Dave who had just finished his race, and plodded off on the second run. 2.5 miles, I hear you say, a pleasant jog then? Believe me when I say that hills, rocks and tree roots on a narow twisty path with the churning River Affric below tests your head as well as your legs - by this time there was no communication between aforesaid head and legs. At last, the final stretch of tarmac and another runner ahead - with fifty metres to go I overtook and made it to last-but-one position. Now everyone could go home. But first the prize-giving - yes, they had all waited. As I was the only woman over-50 in the event (it's along time since I was described as over-50!) I won the supervet category - a very generous set of LED bike lights, (must get out on the bike more), commemorative plaque, and a T-shirt which I donated to Dave as an anniversary present!

So, we had a super day, thanks to Matt and his team; their marshalling, waymarking and TLC was faultless.  And what a privilege to compete in magical Glen Affric in springtime, with stunning views of the lochs and the snowy Affric "giants" for those of us not going too fast to see them.

Downside was that we missed a Sunday morning, on the sofa, watching the London Marathon - but we had set the video...

5k Time Trial 1, Loch Morlich, 8 April 2009

Reported by Melissa Wall

There was a fantastic turnout (28 runners) for Wednesday night’s training session with some impressive results for the first time trial of the season. Welcome to all of our new members and a special welcome to Alan Riach of CAT (Cairngorm Adventure Triathlon) who joined us for training…..we will update you more on Alan and CAT at next weeks session.

Results:

Elgin 10k, 29 March 2009

Reported by Melissa Wall

Cairngorm Runners attendance at Sunday's race was a bit like a couple's day out (remember that famous old 'Mr & Mrs' quiz show - showing my age here!!- gold carriage clock anyone?!) with husband and wife runners Dave and Val Machin and Sandy and Wendy Grigor taking part. Jessie Mackintosh was also running and prevented any matrimonial tantrums!!

Over two hundred and twenty runners took part in the event and although conditions were dry, our couples (plus one) faced a strong headwind on the return leg. A good day was enjoyed by all and our 'man of the match' award goes to Wendy Grigor who pb'd in 58.46 - well done Wendy!!

Results:

Photos from this event are in the Photo Album.

Newtonmore 10-mile Road Race, 21 March 2009

Reported by Melissa Wall

There was no stopping seven of our ‘hard core’ Cairngorm Runners who despite their various successes in the recent Inverness half marathon, found the enthusiasm and energy to face the gruelling and recently reintroduced Newtonmore 10 miler! (Guys can I have some of what you’re on!!)

The ‘out and back’ road race wound its way between the neighbouring villages of Newtonmore and Kingussie and despite a sunny start to the day, conditions cooled considerably by the start of the race.

Our deserving ‘Man of the Match’ was the invincible Dave Henderson who received an award for first local man home! – way to go Dave!!! And to the lovely Annie Fraser who was the first local lady - well done guys and to all who took part and supported this local race.

Race results for the club were:

Photos from this event are in the Photo Album.

Inverness Half Marathon and 5km, 8 March 2009

Reported by Natalie Aird

An amazing 18 Cairngorm Runners turned up to brave the severe snow, gusting wind and rain and took part in the 25th Inverness Half Marathon and 5km Fun Run on Sunday 8 March. Walking to the start of the half marathon through gusting snow, many of the assembled faces seemed to be wearing an expression of "Why am I doing this?". All club members managed to complete their events - a true display of really impressive determination. For three runners, it was their very first half marathon, so a very big congratulations to Shazza Grant, Anne Henderson and Cath Harris for their astounding achievement in such dreadful weather! Dave Henderson and Sandy Grigor finished 15th and 20th overall, respectively, for their categories. Tracey Willies, first female Cairngorm Runner home, was 17th in her class, and Marilyn Hemingway came a fantastic 12th in her class. Well done also to Kiki Malcolm who completed the 5km around the Ness Islands, again in snowy conditions!

The event was well organised, with gun times texted to entrants' mobile phones within an hour of finishing, and easy-to-use chips and chip times available promptly. Appropriately, the goody bag handed out at the start contained a woollen beanie hat, gladly used by many on the event to try and keep out the cold!

Results for the club were:

Photos from this event are in the Photo Album.

Nairn 10km, 1 March 2009

Reported by Melissa Wall

There was a fantastic attendance of 14 Cairngorm Runners at the Nairn 10km road race on Sunday 1 March. Over 380 runners took part in glorious sunshine and the conditions were mild and almost Spring like!. There were some excellent race times with both Cath Harris and Kevin Shaw being jointly awarded ‘Man of the Match’ – Cath for her outstanding performance which saw her knock an impressive 9 minutes off her PB and for Kevin who reluctantly entered his first ever race (thanks to much nagging by Lisa!) and was rewarded by coming 5th in the club in 57.16! Our club winner was the inspiring Dave Henderson with an amazing time of 42.55! Equally impressive was Anne Henderson who was looking in great shape and had obviously been putting in some good training. Proving that all the pain does pay off! Well done guys!!

The Nairn Road Runners extended their usual hospitality with some excellent post race tea and sandwiches, thank you to them all!

The event served as a training run for some of the members taking part in the Inverness Half Marathon on 8th March – good luck to you all!

Results for the club were:

Photos from this event are in the Photo Album.

Lossie Half Marathon, 8 Feburary 2009

Despite the arctic weather, our resident 'Warrior' Nigel Rollason braved the elements and took part in this popular event on 8 February 2009. Fortunately the weather on the North East was bright and sunny and belied the conditions that were affecting surrounding areas and which saw the expected race numbers drop from 200 to around 100. The road race started at Kinloss and edged upwards towards Burghead and along the cost to Lossiemouth. Nigel reported that he would thoroughly recommend this event and said that with the exception of one short, steep climb and a longer steady rise for about a mile, the course is fairly flat and straight. It was certainly well worth the trip for Nigel as he PB'd in 1:47:57!!

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