Falkland Hillrace  Sunday 27th June

FALKLAND 2010

Warm, humid conditions didn’t help the runners this year. Slower than usual times suggested everyone was finding it a struggle! Steve Fallon won. Laurie did well- probably saving his best performance for his 8th and final race in 5 days! Pat was weighed down by his vuvuzela and by his efforts in the Glenrothes 10K in the morning! He still had enough puff to give a loud blast at the summit- I think it was the vuvuzela! The dry weather made the ground rather hard for fast descending for those of us with dodgy joints, but as usual we all got a loud cheer from the Falkland residents as we attempted to sprint down the road to the fountain- much appreciated.

Richard

Results:   Laurie 9th, 26.06;  Derek 22nd, 28.44; Joe 23rd, 29.12; Brian L 27th, 29.42; David 32nd, 30.32; Richard 36th 31.21; Pat 40th, 33.34

     Glen Rosa horseshoe     Sat 19th June

Lomies arrived from north and south, east and west for this ballburster of a race. I met the mystery man from Dehli (John oliver) in the Rosa campsite toilets (where else!). He asked me if i was Gordon Pryde - I wasn't! We finally found our two Swedish friends Jan and Michael at Brodick castle before the race. Our trip to Arran wasn't without incident - just outside Ardrossan we were nearly obliterated by a massive runaway farm trailer that smashed through two hedges and across the road. Then the ferry was held up by a drunken youth who decided that jumping off and trying to swim ashore might be fun.

The race conditions were almost perfect with blue skies and a cooling wind on the ridges. Our men had varying fortunes. Laurie looked good but was pipped at the post when he lost his way in the run in. Gordon declared himself a 'broken man' but his time suggests otherwise. Well done Michael! He had every reason to be pleased with his time. Jan was going well until cramp struck and had to withdraw down glen Rosa. John Oliver had a ball of a time in spite of nose bleeds at the start and he resisted all attempts to withdraw him at the checkpoint - very naughty John!  On the way back Alan raced to catch the ferry and when safely aboard thought, 'where the hells Laurie and Gordie?' Meanwhile G and L were up at the castle thinking 'where the hells Alan?'

Alan

Results: Gordon 43rd 3.19.06, Laurie 46th 3.20.22, Michael 71st 3.39.24, John Oliver 114th 5.38.05, Jan had to pull out with cramp 

    BEN SHEANN HILL RACE     Wed 16th June   

Looking up at Ben Sheann from Strathyre it was clear something was different. A vast area of clear felling right across the race route suggested a new course would be necessary. Last time there was a route change here it introduced more running and contouring, but not this time. The organisers had worked hard hacking out a steep route through a chaos of bracken, loose rock and fallen boughs to create a route described as ‘technical’ by some and ‘dangerous’ by others! In fact most thought it was great and despite the warm, windless and muggy conditions, the midges were much less prevalent than usual at the new start area. Richard and Derek turned up for the Lomies, both finding the final slog up the top gully a huge effort, Derek’s excuse- being out too long with the Lomonds last night, Richard’s- not enough training generally! Both had good descents though, gaining places. 68 ran with junior Adam Gatens finishing first in a remarkably swift 27-15. Steve Fallon O40 was next and Alan Smith, just turned into an O50, third.

Derek Jablonski 35th in 37-48, Richard Gatehouse 51st in 42-15

Richard

    The Black Rock 5

Words and pics by Pat

     Loch Lochy   5th June

    Hill of Tarvit hillrace   Wed 2nd May

Results:  joe28th 41.19, pat 42nd 44.54, brianlandells 44th 45.02, Derek 45th 45 02, and a half daveoz 64th 48.05  

     Jura Hillrace     Sat 29th May 2010

The boys did us proud at this toughest of races with Donald breaking 4hours in a class field to win one of the prized inscribed tumblers and Gordon finishing second over 50, courageously completing the last three miles with his life blood pumping from a gashed thumb. Donald described seeing this figure 'covered from head to toe in blood.' Laurie returned unscathed in just over 5 hours having made an navigational inexactitude (the headless chicken syndrome).

Results:   Donald 18th 3.58.02; Gordon 54th 4.25.49; Laurie 103rd 5.00.13

      Kinnoul Hillrace     Wed 19th May

Hillrace? Trailrace? A bit of both and bloody hard work whatever you want to call it. A merry throng of Lomies lined up for this short sharp shock to the system. It's far too fast and far too crowded as we belt along the road and we're soon jostling for position as the steep sections up Kinnoul winnows out the roadsters. Over the summit and its the hillbillies turn to struggle on the interminable run in. At last the torture is all over and we are sitting outside at the Isle of Skye lubricating our gullets. Pat declared himself 'twigged out' after falling over another bit of wood (perhaps you need improve your 'downward' visibility Pat!)

Alan   (excellent photos thanks to roadrunpics.com)

Results:  28th Laurie Anderson 30.53; 34th Gordon Pryde 31.19; 69th Andy Caulkett 34.27; 72nd Joe Holden 34.44; 87th Pat Mallett 35.28; 90th Alan Graham 35.41; 99th Brian Landells 36.20; 136th Ian McCubbin 40.37

     Goatfell   Sat 15th May

Two Lomond hillrunners made it to Arran for this rough, bouldery run. Heavy showers cleared and left us with a really fine day. A curry the night before probably wasn’t a good idea, and yours truly had a pretty weary run after sleeping in! The hoped for improvement on the descent didn’t materialise and turned into a stumbling nightmare. Ian seemed happy with his run though, and going to an island, even just for a day, seems like a wee holiday. 83 runners took part, with Matt Williamson of Bellahouston charging his way to the top to have an unassailable lead of over 4 minutes on Alan Smith. Alan’s characteristically powerful descent was to no avail. Matt’s winning time was 1-21-33.

Richard Gatehouse 67th 2-07-15, Ian McCubbin 80th 2-20-32

    Ben Lomond  8th May

Prasad Prasad won this prestigious race over Robbie Simson by a clear margin. New member Tim Allan led in a strong Lomond team with Gordie a 'kick in the shins' ahead of Laurie. The race proved to be a dangerous one for Derek who took a tumble, Laurie who cracked a rib and Adrian who sustained a serious fall on his knee and had to be helped down. Get well soon Adie!

Results:  40th Tim Allan 1.25.45; 51st Gordon Pryde 1.27.49; 54th Laurie Anderson 1.28.18; 117th Derek Jablonski 1.41.12; 156th David Osborn 1.51.59 

     Dumyat   5th May 2010

With students swelling the ranks this race has become one of the busiest on the calendar. Only Carnethy and Ben Nevis attract more people. 292 competitors packed the road in the grounds of Stirling University. Being a runnable climb, Dumyat is quite a hard event. On the way back there are some telling uphill rises, especially the infamous ‘bit by the wall’ near the finish. Andy was doing the race for the first time.  Richard and Ian were also there. Murray Strain of HBT completely dominated the race, finishing in a fast time of 33-47.

Results: Andy Caulkett 109th 47-20, Richard Gatehouse 189th 53-41, Ian McCubbin 245th 58-45

     Stuic a'Chroin    1st May 2010

Donald finishes in a superb 14th place in this tough race smashing his PB.  Gordie came in second Lomie ahead of Laurie with Andy guarding the rear.

    Criffel     Sunday March 21st    

Adrian completes a busy weekend with a win at Criffel.  Well done Adie!

     CHAPELGILL HILL RACE     Saturday 20th March

Unusually for this spring it was sunny and quite warm and with no snow on the hill. Chapelgill retained its character though- 1400 feet of lumpy tussocks and tangled heather squeezed into less than a mile to the cairn. The descent takes a fraction of the uphill time but it creates havoc with the quads. We were still grumbling about them the following Tuesday. The race split into two at the start. The left hand group ran diagonally where a track allows some attempts at actual running. The right handers went straight at the steep slope above, hands on thighs pushing hard on the familiar uphill walk. Not that it makes much difference. As the two groups merge on the upper ridge the same old faces appear right beside you- the ones you’ve been racing for years! Being the first counter in the Scottish Championship there were a lot of runners (177), and the standard was high. If Prasad Prasad had been using Bishop Hill as a sharpener his tactic worked. He bounded away from the field on the climb and a smooth, effortless looking descent made him an impressive winner.

For our lads, Adrian was 22nd, Laurie 45th, Gordon 54th, former Lomie Eddie Balfour was 66th and semi-Lomie John Donnelly was 88th with Richard 130th.

Richard

     Bishophillrace    March 7th 2010

Concern midweek had been the quantity of hard snow-ice on the hill. A timely thaw allowed us to run the normal course. Deep slushy snow on the upper slopes made for strenuous progress uphill and some slippery bum sliding on the descent but all the runners returned unscathed having had a good afternoon’s exercise. Overhead conditions were excellent, if a little hazy. Also on the hill were walkers, paragliders, mountain bikers, a micro light and gliders - clearly a good day to be out!

Prasad Prasad of Clydesdale made light of the heavy going and ran in a clear winner. Not far behind were Adam and Mark Harris. Adam pipped Mark by 9 seconds to be first junior and second overall. Second junior was Thomas Knox of Anster Haddies in 13th position overall. Mark was first vet, just one place in front of Lomond Hillrunner Donald MacKenzie. In sixth overall was first supervet Peter Simpson of Carnegie Harriers. First man over 60 was Hugh McPherson.

The ladies had a close tussle as well. Sarah Legge of Fife came in first but was not far in front of two juniors who had a great head-to-head. Robyn Graham beat her fellow Fife AC rival Lucy Duff by one second! Phyllis Mitchell of HBT was first lady super-vet and Carnethy’s Joan Wilson first vet.

First team was Fife AC (17 points) followed by Carnegie Harriers (21) and Lomond (44).

There was also a junior race over the lower half of the course. This was won by Ruari Jardine, ahead of Matthew Legge and Lizzie Knox.

Thanks to the marshalls, timekeepers and spectators - yes, we had quite a few! At the prize giving I omitted, disgracefully, to thank the caterers who provided rolls and soups, one of them a very spicy concoction ideal for a wintry day! Thanks very much.

Thanks also to the competitors who turned out. A remarkable number of clubs were represented on the day.

Richard Gatehouse

     BIRNAM CLASSIC HILL RACE    Saturday 6th March 2010

The third running of Adrian’s Highland Boundary Series was complicated by the heavy snowfall this winter. Fortunately this event was only slightly altered. We had to avoid a rocky and icy section on the descent of Birnam Hill. The flatter loop through the trees didn’t suit those who revel in steep descents but it was justified on the day. Even so, at the finish there were some bloodied limbs and faces. Snow made progress a bit slower going up. The flat, normally boggy section before the summit was a pure white and sunlit snowfield- quite beautiful. The descents were fun, if precarious, and there were extreme contrasts between the fearties who stopped for a look before walking down and the glissaders who took off and let the snow do the work and aid the acceleration. The tough and undulating return gave the non hill runners a chance for revenge as their speed carried them past the carthorses and into the rather icy sanctuary of the Beatrix Potter Garden. Des Crowe was first home despite a bizarre collision with a gate, and another 66 runners followed him. Adrian was 2nd, Laurie 10th (and 1st over 50), Richard 42nd.

Richard

     Tay River dash   5th March 2010

Sole Lomie Ian Mccubbin competed in the River Tay Dash to finish a creditable 18th in a time of 28.02.  Well done Ian!

       Tinto Hillrace  Nov 2009

Another cracking day of autumn sunshine greeted the race goers. This time Tinto had a small cloud cap but at least it stopped the sun blinding you all the way up- often a feature at Tinto. This exhilarating race is getting ever more popular. It’s a great way to round off the season. An incredible 298 were huddled together on the sodden grass at the start- it felt almost claustrophobic. No such problems for the winner though, Prasad Prasad shot away from the field to win in impressive style. It was like the old days for the Lomonds. Shug lined up with us along with new west coast member Kenny Mackay. Once past the stile the 5 Lomonds held their positions all the way up but fortunes changed a little on the fast but very slippery descent. Derek used his quad power to pass Shug near the bottom - but regretted it next day! Gordon kept his reputation intact catching Kenny at the last gasp.

Richard Gatehouse

Results:   Gordon Pryde 96th, 42.15; Kenneth MacKay 97th, 42.16;  Derek Jablonski 171st 47.05; Shug McGinley 174th 47.16; Richard Gatehouse 207th 49.10

Click to enlarge

    31st Oct 2009    Meall a' Buachaille 

It was a beautiful autumn day for the final counter in the Scottish Championship. The course was altered again, this time to cope with the large numbers. 219 started the race . A run along a forestry track led to a heathery slog up to Creagan Gorm. From there we bounded down a rough slope to an outlying pimple before more heathery contouring to the col before the main peak. Coming off Meall a Bhuachaille was great, but as the track eased in angle and smoothed off, the faster runners made their moves. This was never more true than on the tough run back up another forest trail and a rather lengthy flat run to the finish. Andy Symonds was the clear winner. I was glad to get a run at all after a very slack training regime due to a bad throat and a bad knee! Adrian ran very well to claim 1st vet.

Gordon missed out on this race due to illness but he did 5 out of 6 races and so did I- so that’s 2 mugs for the Lomonds this year! He is also confirmed as 4th in the over 50s.

Richard Gatehouse

Results:  Adrian Davis 12th 56.12; Richard Gatehouse 174th 1.22.4

    11th Oct 2009    Pentland Skyline 

I was across at the Pentland Skyline today, and I have to say it was really enjoyable strolling round in the road shoes taking in the views and the 'air'
Amazingly myself and Louise Burt were the only folks from Fife AC / Lomonds in the record field of 170.
Even though the start was in sun there was a stiff breeze making things decidedly chilly, but once up the ski-slope hill we were soon warmed fighting through the congested mud track up the hill. Once on the tops it was clear it was going to be an effort to push through the blustery Westerly blowing against us and so it proved with some severe buffeting going up Carnethy.
Navigation was not a problem on such a clear day and having done the race so many times now I knew the route I would take. There was nothing much to report in the Southern roller coaster traverse other than just maintaining a reasonable pace in view of all my recent injury woes...painkillers were taken en route.
I did keep passing a Northumberland Fell runner on every ascent as he would pass me on the descents, he was muttering something about being 13 stone and that he would need to stop drinking beer and get serious at which point he started motoring to finish 5 mins in front of me!
After the turn at the West Kip the wind was still in our faces which nobody could quite figure and didn't really aid us until the final few tops.
The North side of the Pentlands does not have the big climbs of the South so does not suit my running style (hands on knees walking fast) so although I passed some who were starting to struggle lost a couple of places to the V50 rivals to end up 45th, third V50 in 3hr 10 mins which was only 5 mins off my PB for the course.
Moral of the tale is that The Pentlands is a great introduction to a Long Series Race. Sometimes the old 'Nike Airs' from JJB can be just as good as all the fancy techno fell shoes. I did roll my ankle once but do not have the leg or hip pain I normally suffer from. Lastly the weather in October is now more pleasant for running in the Hills than anything we get in the summer.     comments welcome

Laurie Anderson

     10th Oct 2009    Manor Water

       Gordon and Pat went down to Manor Water Dog trials and managed to fit in a race also, don't know details but Colin Donnelly V50 won it outright!

Laurie Anderson 

 Results:   Gordon Pryde 23rd 1.25.05; Pat Mallett 59th 1.40.22

     3rd Oct 2009    Ben Venue

Gordon braved the gales sweeping the country to try out the inaugural Ben Venue race. The race was curtailed at the col but Gordon still managed to win the over 50 in spite of stopping to play in the mud.

 Results:     Gordon Pryde 22nd, 1.01.00 1st SV

    4th Oct 2009    Newtyle Hill

Laurie and Gordon both went along to Adrian's new race which explored some of the tracks from Loch of the Lowes around Dunkeld and up the hill. The intrepid pair finished as first and second over 50 with Laurie enjoying a back view of Gordon round the race.

 Results:     Gordon Pryde 7th 31.49; Laurie Anderson 8th, 32.10

    Saab Salomon Turbo X Trail, Mugdock  - 12th September 2009

The sun shone as club member Shug McGinley made the short trip to Mugdock Country Park in Milngavie, near Glasgow, to compete in the Turbo X 10 mile trail race.  This was a particularly tough slog, including being dragged through forest trails, mud bogs, hills etc but in spite of very rough terrain, Shug had a very good run, finishing in 103rd Position overall; 5th V50; in a field of around 500 runners.  Time - 1 hr 40 mins. 

A great day was had by all, with Graeme Aitken looking on from the sidelines, wondering what he’s let himself in for as a LHR’s newest west coast member.

Shug

   The Ben Nevis Race  -  5th September 2009

A day to be long remembered! Unrelenting rain and strong winds  gave a chill factor of 3 below at the summit. Our three first timers, Donald, Andy and Pat must have wondered what lay ahead - from my own memories of 25 Ben races I can't remember it being worse underfoot. The little rivers of slurry that were running down the screes, the bodies flying down the green wall, the mud wall and the burns raging white all added to the fun - and then there was the dreaded road!

 In spite of this we were all quite pleased with our performances apart from Gordon whose 'brain stopped talking to his body' near the summit. In my own attempts to eats handfuls of jelly babies on the way up I only managed to slobber out a trail of sugary body parts.

Our lads turned in some great performances showing true Lomie grit. Pat picked himself up after a nasty fall near the summit and survived the descent to finish with a smile. I later spotted him leaving the first aid tent wrapped up in tin foil like a roasted chicken. Whoever has his red bum-bag please email me. Donald showed his class with a fine time in the awful conditions. Richard and Bob both had fine runs to set them up for next years Connochie plaque. David surprised himself with a decent run after a 6 week lay-off with Achilles trouble - well done David!  Laurie, Derek and Kenny all had excellent runs, revelling in the awful conditions. Andy was fair chuffed with his first Ben finish to round off a great year with successes in the Tranter round and West Highland way race. Alan continues to promise that this will be his last race but it has been pointed out he has said this before. Of course conditions are bound to be better next year!    

 Alan Graham

Lomond results:  Donald MacKenzie 41st, 1.53.17; Laurie Anderson (Fife) 135, 2.07.14; Gordon Pryde 154 2.10.12; Derek Jablonski 215, 2.18.46; Kenny Leinster 221, 2.19.24; Andy Caulkett 294, 2.33.29; Alan Graham 336, 2.39.38; David Osborn 364, 2.45.18; Richard Gatehouse 378, 2.47.59; Pat Mallett 431, 3.05.01; Bob Beveridge 443, 3.12.07

Click to enlarge

    The short Wilderness challenge -  22nd August 2009

Adrian Davis shows there's life in the old dog yet with a comfortable win in this 13 mile foray into the boggy wastes of the Fisherfield forest. Well done lad!

    Lomonds of Fife Hillrace - 16th August 2009

Early gales, mist and driving rain lifted on cue to give us a superb bright and breezy day for the race. This year we were particularly pleased to welcome Michael Lonn and Jan Ackesjo who had flown over from Sweden specially for the race (in spite of viewing the youtube clip of the bum-slide doon the gully - or maybe because of seeing it!) and also Nardelli Loris Maximo from Italy.

Brian Marshall held a good lead to win with Jon Ascroft in second place. Manny Gorman had a good run to finish third and first vet. Martin Laing of Fife turned in a great performance to finish 7th as first SV with Tom Ross first over60. Rachel Fagan of Gala was first lady with a good lead over Ellie Homewood in second place. Fife runner Jocelyn Scott finished third and also first SV. Hilary Ritchie was the second over 40. We had eighty starters with one drop out.

Carnethy took the men's team prize with Carnegie first ladies team.

Lomond results: Laurie Anderson (Fife) 16th 1.56.09; Gordon Pryde 23rd 2.00.26; Derek Jablonski 35th 2.08.32;Alan Graham 59th 2.22.02

Many thanks to all the timekeepers and marshalls who make it possible for the rest of us to run.

Alan Graham

Click on photos to enlarge

    Largo Law Race  -  8th August 2009

Mark Harris won in a time of 48.02. Laurie Anderson had a decent run in 54.33 (for a man of his age!)  with Derek Jablonski being pleased to beat his best time for the new route by two minutes. Pat Mallett claimed he didn't get dressed in the dark - what IS your excuse then Pat? The best part of this race is the pint down at the Station inn.

Results: Laurie Anderson 10th, 54.33; Derek Jablonski 24th, 59.25; Pat Mallett 31st, 1.01.06

Click to enlarge

   The Gathering - 26th July 2009

 - Gordon Pryde adds another  SV victory at the Nairn's hillrace on Arthurs Seat. Laurie Anderson finished not too far behind.

Results: Gordon Pryde 15th 39.33, Laurie Anderson 20th 40.54

    TURNHOUSE HILL RACE - 22nd July 2009

The Turnhouse Hill race is a grand, tough little outing. You run along the base of the hill and cut back to the summit via a steep climb. There’s a ridge run followed by a really fast descent to something called the ‘biscuit tin’. A boggy contour leads back to the outward track, final descent and finishing straight. It was the penultimate ‘bog and burn’ counter, attracting 116 runners with a high overall standard. Murray Strain won in a new record time. I was 89th and although it rained much of the time, conditions were good for running.

Richard Gatehouse

    GLAMAIG HILL RACE - 8th July 2009

I was the lone Lomond for the long, slow drive to Skye. The reward was surprisingly good conditions for this marvellous, rough, steep struggle and exhilarating descent. There were a few hefty chunks of rock flying past on the ascent which added to the atmosphere. This must be the most serious ‘A Short’ on the calendar. This being my 15th Glamaig you might think I’d have worked out the right way across the moor on the way back, but no! Having clattered past quite a few competitors coming down the scree run I saw some of their gloating smiles at the finish line as they had sneaked a cleverer line on the home run!  Still, it was an enjoyable race. I was 80th in a field of 115 led by Brian Marshall.

Richard Gatehouse 

    Maddy Moss - 15th July 2009

 - A big party of Lomies turned up for this excellent tough medium replacing our normal Tuesday night run. It stayed dry after earlier downpours but which left slippery conditions in places. Mist over Ben Cleuch added to the atmosphere. Murray Strain added another victory to his tally with our own Donald Mackenzie still on the way up getting to the summit fourth and finishing eighth as 3rd vet. Pat impressed us all with his tremendous climbing but spoilt it all by losing his shoe on the way down.

Lomond results -  8th Donald MacKenzie, 57.25; 28th Gordon Pryde, 1.02.35; 34th Laurie Anderson, 1.03.04; 76th Andy Caulkett, 1.11.57; 78th Derek Jablonski, 1.12.08; 84th Pat Mallett, 1.13.42; 98th Alan Graham, 1.16.12 (knock off 5 min for taking the photies - joking!)

Click on photos below to enlarge

     MEALL AN T-SUIDHE HILL RACE - 11th July 2009

Three and a half miles and 1500 feet doesn’t sound very impressive but gives no indication of the effort of body and will required to compete in this excruciating short event. A brilliant, sunny day saw the runners driving past some of the best hill areas in the country. After finishing many agreed that a leisurely hillwalk would have been much more pleasurable, even Brian Marshall who finished third after another blistering descent. I could barely jog on the road and track at the finish but was encouraged to hear other, faster runners say exactly the same thing. It was another counter for the Scottish Championship. Adrian was 7th, Gordon 25th, John Donnelly 28th and Richard 74th in a field of 109 runners. The winner was Prasad Prasad.  With just one counter in the championship left (Meall a Bhuachaille in October) it looks like Gordon is going to finish 4th in the O50 category- a great effort!

Richard Gatehouse                                                                                                                                        

    Newburgh  - 8th July 2009

An amazing 177 runners turned up at Newburgh for this race. Joe had another fantastic run to finish well ahead as first over 60. It was also great to see Shug running again in a Lomond vest.

Newburgh -

Results: 1st Mike Carroll of Perth RR in 24.57; 24th Gordon Pryde in 29.57; 27th Joe Holden in 30.11; 61st Pat Mallett in 33.18; 85th Hugh McGinley in 34.59

   Dollar hillrace - 4th July 2009

 Hot and sunny conditions didn't stop Joe Symonds of HBT winning in a good time of 1.13.10. A decent Lomond contingent competed even if the last two felt obliged to enter under false names.

Results: Gordon Pryde 30th -1.37.35; Laurie Anderson 34th - 1.40.16; Eddie Balfour (former lomie) 42nd - 1.44.11; Derek Jaernsky ????? 57th - 1.51.46; Aloysious Marllett 83rd - 2.11.58 ???? (We know it's you Pat!)

    The Sandy Slither -  3rd July 2009

 - the original run from Largo to Elie has become a circular route from Elie along to Shell Bay and back. Pat was the only Lomie to make it this year and slithered round in a time of 44.48  to finish 43rd place out of a big field of 102.

     White Tops Race - 3rd July 2009

 - Donald McKenzie continues his fine run of form to finish in fourth place (38.41) in this scenic wee race in the Sidlaws. Not too far behind leader Dan Whitehead of Cosmics (35.17) and within spitting distance of third place.

     Arrochar Alps hillrace -  27th June 2009

Well done Gordon!  Completing one of the toughest races in the  calendar to finish as second over 50  is a great achievement but from now on we'll also have to salute your great navigational skills!

Results: 1st Alasdair Anthony, Ochil -3.30.42, ;   Dave Scott, Ochil - 4.10.10, 1st SV

Gordon Pryde -Lomond 4.21.40, 2nd SV

     Red Moss revolution - 24th June 2009

Derek Jablonski was the solitary Lomond presence at this Bog and Burn race at Balerno on a fine night. Murray Strain broke the record in a time of 35.03 and Derek did well to get round in 50.10 after partying on Schiehallion the night before.

    Falkland hillrace - 21st June 2009

The Falkland Hill Race took place on a beautiful, sunny afternoon. Though very short compared to other events the same weekend it’s a hard blast with no real chance to coast along in comfort! The club was well represented with 5 members and another Tuesday nighter. Lars Ottermoller won but had a substantial summit lead impressively reduced by a fast descending Steve Fallon. 53 competitors took part. Gordon came in 9th, Joe 19th, David 22nd, Pat 24th, Richard 30th and Bob 33rd. If you’ve never done this race give it a go. The whole village seems to turn out and give every runner a cheer and a clap and a shout of encouragement as they make a final effort along the road to the fountain.

Richard Gatehouse

    Ben Sheann  -  17th June 2009

Richard was the only Lomond at the short, rough but brilliant Ben Sheann race at Strathyre. The evening was dry but it had rained all day making the course unnervingly skiddy at times. You need your nerves because after the steep grind up you’re faced with a rocky plunge, a bog, a tussocky contour and then a steep run in the dark through dense trees with wet rocks and tree roots. This race is famed for its voracious midges. They appeared a few minutes before the start, sending the runners into something resembling an ethnic dance- scratching, waving and slapping, and shouting at the starter to get a move on! In a field of 64 headed by Prasad Prasad, Richard was 46th.

Richard Gatehouse

   Cort-ma Law - 10th June 2009

The Cort-ma law race took place on a beautiful sunny evening and attracted a competitive field of 99 runners. A cool wind kept the midges away - too bad about the poor sod marshalling the penultimate checkpoint - a sheltered hollow beside a burn! The course was boggy, but not as spongy as usual. one rival had to be hauled out of a swamp - he went in to mid thigh with both legs and looked set stay there!

Results: Gordon Pryde 27th - 56.47 4th supervet; John Donnelly 59th; Richard Gatehouse 72nd - 1.09.30

    Gargunnock - 6th June 2009

 - Resisting the temptation of caber tossing Gordie and Pat opted for this varied short hillrace. Anyone finding a pair of sunglasses and a sunhat on a post please return to Pat Mallett care of LHR.

Results: Gordon Pryde 14th - 37.31; Pat Mallett 42nd - 43.14

     Glas Tulaichean - 6th June 2009

 -the only way is up! Another great result for the young lad finishing in 6th place in 44.36.

Results: Donald McKenzie - 44.36

   70 wild miles - June 2009

Brian's attempt to repeat last years victory got 'blown away' when strong winds curtailed his strongest event, the paddle up loch Etive. In spite of this well done Brian for a good performance.

   Hill of Tarvit - 3rd June 2009

 An excellent club turnout at this great wee Fife AC race. Joe left the young lads trailing with an excellent 39.05 for 1st over60.

Results:  Joe Holden - 39.05; Pat Mallett - 43.17; Derek Jablonski - 43.27; David Osborn - 46.32

     Kinnoul Hillrace  - May 20th 2009

  - Donald showed his class again (and the benefit of a younger pair of legs) with Laurie not too far behind and Derek and Ian not disgracing themselves a few trees in the rear.

Results: Donald McKenzie - 18th 29.49; Laurie Anderson - 31st 32.18; Derek Jablonski - 35.48; Ian McCubbin 90th 40.05

  Dumyat hillrace - May 6th 2009

Freshfaced students and and mainly ageing hillrunners competed in the driech but highly enjoyable run up Dumyat. The steep wall of mud in the trees provided sport on the way down and proved the worth of a good pair of studs. Richard, Alan and Derek all did well but honours to Gordon with his first over 50 victory.