Bishops Hill Race

I drove over to the Lomonds of Fife to have a go at Bishops Hill Race on Sunday, many in the club will remember the hill from the Devils Burden Relays and training runs, indeed this is the hill we “lost” Chris and Caroline in the mist.

This was my first hill race for 2 1/2 years and it was good to see I have still not got it. What was good was catching up with a lot of old faces, my Westie mate Brain was shocked to see I had “regressed” back to a blue vest.

The race starts in the woods just above Scotlandwell, and follows the path and sheep trod up and around to the top of Bishop Hill, then it is a fast steep descent back to the finish cutting out the last section of the path by going straight down the hill. The total climb and distance are not big.

Post descent leg pain has still to reach me, but I am sure at some point my quads will start burning from their hammering going downhill.

Andy will be pleased to hear that the post-race fare was up to usual Fife standards, with a choice of homemade soup, tea and cakes a plenty, and as the race only had 67 entries, there was loads to go around, I got extra scones for the journey home.

 

The race was won by Andrew Gilmore of Carnethy in 19:39 and the first lady was Jill Stephen of HBT in 23:56.

I was 23rd in a time of 25:41.