The Run with the Wind 10k on Sun 7th Nov saw a cracking day for running; ok an icy wind but DRY, & sunny!
A fleet of 7 buses took the 340 runners from Stra’ven to the start at Whitelees wind farm for the 4th yr of the event- my 1st running of it, but I remembered the trail as the latter part of Chris Moon’s Pie & 2 Halfs half marathon back in the early summer.
First, the ritual mass watering of the forest, (ladies to the left!) (& yes the icy wind at the starting highpoint works wonders for the waterworks, especially when you have to travel stripped for the start, & the start is delayed for all to disembark). OK too much information, but what a great viewpoint, the nearby windmills looking languid (close up is a different story, the massive blades seem to be belting by). Tinto Hill looked seriously impressive, with it’s own little cloud cap (see you in 6 days, pal!)
The lovely Lee Maclean’s starting announcements were sadly largely wind dispersed, I started near the back– big mistake, as the big field was largely — fun runners is not the right term, as first it implies nae fun for faster runners, & also suggests less commitment, which is so totally untrue. Dare I say, slower runners?
The first 4 k of the single farmtrack, almost traffic-free rooute was gently downhill, which suited me fine, once I cleared the slower runners; k’s 5 & 6 climb again, which make it hard to sustain a pace, then another knackering climb after k8. Don’t I just make it sound appealing! Sting in the tail is a short but sharp climb to the park & the finish, & a technical t-shirt & goody-bag. A hot soup & filled roll at the race centre hit the spot, so great value & supremely well organised. An event to be recommended.
Stuart Gibson of RHC won overall in 31.32, & yes, the same who was 5th placed on Sat at the GU RR.
Robert Turner of Harmeny was runner-up in 33.12.
Michelle Hetherington of H’burghAAC won in 38.50, followed by Deborah Comer of Hamilton in 40.40.
As for me, I was delighted to have a good run, felt much better than on Sat at the GU RR. My gun time 49.02 but chip time 48.38, to finish 144th from 340 finishers, & 4th from 10 over 60’s. How much faster might I have been if I’d gone to the pub night!
