Surprised to learn, on checking the entries, that I was the only Maryhiller this year to travel to this long-time classic event.
Very much old-school, £8 entry, none of yer poncy medals, t-shirts or gun time versus chip time shit, just water, & tea and cake after..
Online entries have their effect, however; I’d entered away back in Feb, & the 350 entries filled up soon after. Only a few years ago, you rocked up on the day with maybe 100 plus runners.
I’ve always loved the classic ten mile distance, again a remnant of the past before the half-marathon concept took over. Tom Scott, Edinburgh Uni, Bute H Games, ten mile routes all gone. This is where I go into Victor Meldrew mode; so many classic road races were rounded up or down to this most contrived distance! Balloch to Clydebank to name but one surviving offender, scene of one of my finest running hours when it was arguably twelve & a quarter.
Arrived early for once in my life, driving down with three non-club friends (shock-horror!). Hit my worst ever bone-shaking “ramp” en route. As it happened, service & mot booked for the next day. Mot pass celebratory drinking while I type!. Anyway, what’s 300 quid in the garage bill context. Ferry charges fair taken a hike as well, took the car over for convenience.
Pals posed for foties on the wonderful crocodile rock, while I shopped for expensive bananas.
One of those days unfolded when it didn’t pay to heed a forecast. Spectacular stormclouds were piled up high over the Arran mountains, but Cumbrae enjoyed an Indian summer day.
First four miles to the Slip, I stayed with my good friend Cheryl, whom I’ve known since birth (hers, not mine), a novice to the event. Whatever your level of running, it’s always satisfying to reel people in, & my slower start was enjoyable because I was able to reel in about 18 folk ahead of me. Always a good feeling to finish strongly ,though not quite enough to catch my pal Al.
Sadly, my six minute miles/ ten mph racing pace has been replaced by ten minute miles/ six mph. But then, I have more time to absorb the spectacular and ever-changing scenery, which is one of this event’s highlights.
Heat was a real issue on Sunday, I doubt I’ll ever experience the run again without the regular headwind on the last few miles.
A lot of personal issues this year have curtailed my running (ok, so I haven’t been training!) but I was happy to finish in reasonable form. My three pals, as newcomers, all posted pb’s of course.
Roll on next year.!
Winner; David Millar Irvine running club 54.03
Lady; Lesley Chisholm Garscube 60.12
208th Fletcher Murdoch Maryhill 102.46
229 finishers .(from 350 online entries!)
