Dumyat hill race

Four Harriers travelled to Stirling Uni to run the Dumyat race on Wednesday 9th, in cool conditions and with mostly dry ground underfoot (apart from one really boggy bit about half way up!) It's a fairly short race - only 7.8k - with about 400m ascent.

Murray Strain of HBT set a new record of 32.23 at the head of a huge field of 362 runners, up from 326 the year before and 289 in 2010.

Not surprisingly therefore there was more queueing than in previous years at two or three points early in the race, but Dumyat is still a fine race and many runners will share the new record holder's view from his blog that "The descent off Dumyat has to be one of my favourites: steep enough to be fast while remaining controlled; rocky enough to be exciting without being dangerous."

Tony Wayte was first Harrier home in 48.53, a very respectable time for his first go at Dumyat. Gordon Morrison was pleased to finish largely pain-free in 51.47 - a couple of minutes down on last year but quite encouraging after months of hamstring problem. Cathy Tilbrook ran 56.04, her first time over 55 minutes for Dumyat but the extra queueing time must have contributed.

Dave Griffiths paid a return visit to the Dumyat race after a three year gap, racing in a Harriers vest for the first time. Unfortunately the hill wasn't co-operating and Dave's asthma did not relent, but he soldiered on to complete the course in 96.30 - slow, but not last!
Judging by his comments at the end, it wasn't an enjoyable experience so perhaps the wise move would be to consider the Dumyat box honourably ticked, and move on to another race!

Full results here http://www.stir.ac.uk/media/schoo...ments/Dumyat%20Results%202012.pdf and Murray Strain blog here http://www.attackpoint.org/viewlo..._4231/period-1/enddate-2012-05-09