Morven Hill race (8km/640mtrs)

My first short race since Clachnaben (8th/78, 2nd V40) back in April. I was dreading this hard, steep speed session after months of distance training and longer races!

I also wanted to make the effort since it’s my club’s race and Morven is special to me as it was my late father’s stomping ground as a Scout in the 1950’s.

The weather was favourable for a tempo run in the hills - Clag, drizzle and cooler than it has been recently! Perfect!

I knew the usual front runners would be turning up and although I doubted I'd be near the front I had tried to cram in some last minute speed sessions recently with Sinco pushing me plus I have been going well this year on longer courses so I was keen to see where I was on a shorter course. 

Hamish Battle and James Espie up front

Start line and we were off. I started well up near the front probably sitting 7th by the time we got to the old house and then started to climb. Jacob Adkin, James Espie and Hamish Battle all pulled away quickly followed by Javier and Lawrence Ramsay. Stuart Pringle and myself were 6th/7th for most of the first climb.  
Stuart not firing on all 4 waved me through but I stayed back conscious of blowing up but once Neil Walker passed us both I decided to pass Stuart while I was going well. I slowly pulled away building a small gap between us.

Alan Smith - LEDGE

1st lady and my mate Diana Macdoanld

Winner - Jacob Adkin

I caught Neil on the first flat and then I was on my own for a while with very poor visibility until I saw a faint figure in the Clag.. I hoped it was Lawrence or Javier. Nearing this figure, I only realised in the last 2 or 3 mtrs who it was! It was Richie "bad boy" Ingram in jeans and a pair of yellow wellies on his way up to see the summit Marshalls! Once I stopped laughing I composed myself and carried on to the summit. Pffffff

Steve Ord and Richard Bad Boy Ingram

Jim Savage - Ultra beast

Neil Walker - Deeside visitor

Mr Valdes going for a hug!

Round the cairn and on my way back down I passed Neil and Stuart on their way to the summit. They were closer than I thought, I knew I had to push as Stuart's a fast descender and would have been pushing to catch me. Once I got to the split at the first Marshall to descend round the side of the hill I opened it up and didn’t look back catching 5th place Lawrence a km or so from the finish. Javier was too far ahead. 
love that last section, very technical and very fast running over the rocky, heathery, narrow, deep trail.

Stuart Pringle almost home

Myself coming through the finish

I finished 5th overall and 1st V40.

Deeside also took the team prize with James Espie 2nd, myself 5th and Stuart 7th. My haul for the day 4 local Ales, a block of Lairig Ghru cheese and the 1st Vet shield.. Yaldie!!

My haul

Usual bants back at the Logie Coldstone hall for coffee/cake and to catch up with folk I've not seen in ages. Love hill running peeps, always great craic whilst looking like the homeless! Shaaazaaam! xx

Myself, Diana and Alan

Phil Kammer LEDGE also!