Newtyle Hill race, 13 April

Strathearn Harriers were out in strength for the Newtyle Hill race, run on Wednesday 13 April, for the third of the Club Championship races, with the girls outnumbering the boys. The race is a mix of trail, hill and woodland with the finish through the Dunkeld golf course and back on the Fungarth path to Loch of the Lowes. Confusingly for Gordon and I, who had recce'd the course the previous week, it was decided to run the race in the reverse direction. This did mean the big hill came nearer the start (which may or may not be a good thing), but also meant that there was a nasty wee hill about a mile short of the finish which I really didn’t appreciate.

The first Harrier home, in 13th position overall, was Phil T in a time of 34:56. I was second Harrier to finish, in 22nd position, in a time of 36:50, and Gordon was third, 28th overall, in 38:42.

For the women, Kerry was first home in a time of 39:52. Kerry finished second in the women’s race, closely followed by Cathy, third in the women’s race, in a time of 40:16. Nicola and Liz followed in fifth and sixth positions in the women’s race, with Nicola finishing first in her age group category. For Kerry and Nicola, this race come just three days after they ran the Lochaber Marathon in Fort William – just how hardcore is that!

Somehow, the women managed to acquire numerous prizes, consisting mainly of bottles of wine.