Strathmore & The Glens Rural Partnership
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Strathmore
& the Glens Rural partnership PRESS RELEASE Bob
Ellis CATERAN
TRAIL RACES Link to team timings and results Last
Saturday, 13th May saw yet another increase in runners, both of the
individual or team participants. The 23.3 mile individual race saw numbers up
from 5 last year to 18 this year and the relay race continued to attract more
teams as it does each year from last years record entry of 19 to this years
entry of 28 teams. The largest team entry being that of Carnegie Harriers, who
entered 8 teams. The
weather was ideal for the runners, spectators and marshals, dry, sunny and
little or no wind. First
under starters orders were the individual runners, and after a few instructions
charged off up towards Brooklyn Mill. Tom Scott (Fife A C) last years winner was
favourite to regain his crown and ran through the first check point at Bridge of
Cally just in front of Ali Hubbard from Braemar with John Kay, Fife A C in third
place. In the ladies race, Louise Burt, Fife A C went through Bridge of Cally in
fifth place. By the time Kirkmichael was reached, Tom Scott and Ali Hubbard were
running together, in fact, non of the 6 places had changed. The next stage over
the hill to the finish at the Spittal Hotel was were the lead changed, last
years winner, Tom Scott was overtaken by Ali Hubbard who finished in style, in 2
hours 59 minutes and 8 seconds, taking a whopping 16 minutes off last years
winning time. Tom Scott also did well by finishing second in 3 hours 3 minutes
55 seconds, 12 minutes faster than his time last year, (who says you get slower
as you get older). In third place was John Kay in a time of 3 hours 10 minutes
52 seconds. In
the Ladies race, Louise Burt held onto her fifth place overall, finishing in 3
hours 29 minutes 9 seconds taking an incredible 44 minutes off last years
winning time. In 2nd place was Joan Wilson of Perth Road Runners who
finished quite strongly in 4 hours 4 minutes 20 seconds, with Lynne Kuz of
Carnegie Harriers finishing in 3rd place in 4 hours 6 minutes 32
seconds. The
local race, which was contested by Peter Ritchie and Bob Brown, who both run for
Perth Road Runners, was a wee challenge in itself, but it was Peter Ritchie who
took the honours finishing in 13th place in a time of 4 hours 7
minutes 37 seconds. Sadly, Bob Brown had to retire on the last leg. It
also has to be said that one runner, Kenny Stewart, who again runs for Perth
Road Runners, ran the individual race in a kilt and finished in a very credible
place of 11th in a time of 4 hours 4 minutes 59 seconds. Meanwhile
the Relay Race was once again started 30 minutes after the individual race and
throughout was contested very fiercely indeed. Before the start I had been
tipped off that last years winners, Carnegie Harriers could be relieved of their
crown by Central A C who had a strong A team. At the first check point, Bridge
of Cally, Carnegie had the edge over Central by 30 seconds with Fife A C 70
seconds adrift, but by Kirkmichael the lead had changed hands and it was Central
who where in pole position. It
was apparent that the Carnegie support where slightly worried, but 2 ½ minutes
later in they came and the catch up began, as on this leg, Carnegie’s hot duo
were tipped to do well. Also at this point Fife A C where just 1 ½ minutes
behind. This
leg from Kirkmichael to the Spittal Hotel is thought to be the hardest as, as
soon as you leave Enochdu the long climb begins. A nice gentle slope to start
with on a forestry road eventually gives way to a single track which steepens
right to the summit which then overlooks the finish line. Looking through the
binoculars you could pick out the runners, but because the vests of Carnegie and
Central are both yellow, we at the finish weren’t sure who was in front, but
it looked very close. Over
the last rise came the first team and it was Carnegie Harriers A team, they had
grasped the lead and the winning position from Central’s A team. Carnegie’s
time was 2 hours 39 minutes 55 seconds which was over 8 minutes faster than last
years record time. Central came home just 1 minute later in a fine time of 2
hours 40 minutes 57 seconds, with Fife A C ‘s A team finishing just behind in
a time of 2 hours 41 minutes 47 seconds. This was the result in the Senior Male
category. In
the Male Vet category, it was again Carnegie Harrier’s Vet A team who took the
honours in a time of 2 hours 47 minutes 24 seconds. New guys, Deeside Vet B team
took second place in 3 hours 18 minutes 29 seconds with Carnegie’s Vet B team
coming home in 3 hours 27 minutes 45 seconds. In
the Senior Ladies race again it proved to be quite a battle with Fife A C A team
leading the way at Bridge of Cally with a 3 minute lead. However at Kirkmichael,
the Fifers were back in 2nd place, yes that club Carnegie Harriers
had pulled out all the stops to take a 7 minute lead. Carnegie then went on to
finish in first place in a time of 3 hours 19 minutes 41 seconds beating the
time of last years winners, Fife A C by 21 minutes. Fife A C came second this
time in 3 hours 29 minutes 36 seconds taking 11 minutes of last year’s time.
Deeside Ladies team come home in a credible time of 3 hours 37 minutes 34
seconds. In
the Ladies Vet category Kinross Ladies to first place in a time of 3 hours 48
minutes 58 seconds with Fair Maids of Perth coming finishing in 4 hours 15
minutes 38 seconds. In
the last category North Inch (Perth Road Runners) took the honours in the Mixed
team event in a terrific time of 3 hours 7 minutes 18 seconds, with Carnegie A
finishing in 3 hours 25 minutes 36 seconds and Central B coming home in 3 hours
42 minutes 30 seconds. All
in all, the whole day was a massive success, the weather played a big part in
getting the runners to achieve record times. The marshals played a magnificent
part in making sure directions were given, times were taken and results at the
finish were correct. Also, the welcome at the finish, which both runners and
spectators received from the Spittal Hotel, who give freely of there premises
was great. Also, the landowners who gave their permission in putting the Cateran
Trail in place have to be thanked for playing their part. But
now to the big thank you from myself to the merry band of helpers that I get
full support from every year. Nick and Sue who took charge of the 23 Mile Race,
took times and photographs and gave out water. Gordon, co-organiser of the race,
who keeps me right and makes sure my feet and thoughts don’t exceed what we
can do. Stuart, Brenda, Audrey, Lucy, Jan, Brian, Kate and David who staffed all
of the Relay Race marshalling points and worked hard putting the race results
together and to my family, Lyn, Kymie, and John for putting up with me, and my
eldest son, Arran who drove me round all day. I really would like from the
bottom of my heart, to thank all of these kind hearted volunteers who give up
their time freely in helping not just myself, but also helping me keep the
participants and their followers happy and for them to come back next year.
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