June 30, 2008

Lairig Ghru Race, Braemar

Sunday 29th June – Lairig Ghru Race, Braemar Race Report from Phil Smithard

The Lairig Ghru Race lived up to its usual reputation of uncertain weather ranging from baking heat to wind and rain during the course of the event. No hail stones were reported which can only be a plus.

6 intrepid volunteers and supporters assembled at the traditional toilet stop in Braemar where 84 souls had signed the papers and lined up at the dreaded hour – ten of the clock. There were three experienced runners and three not so experienced in the delights of this race, so there had been much information passed about on the road up and in the car park. Peter Humphreys, Steven King and Fabienne Thompson were the guys having seen it all before and Tommy Lawrence, Colin Reynolds and Paul Davies were the ones doing the listening.

Donald Naylor set a cracking pace from the start and was a clear leader from start to finish, but did not quite meet his target of regaining the course record that he set in 2006. Next year….. His pace was under 6 minute miling at Victoria Bridge.

At Victoria Bridge after 3.75 miles, Tommy looked comfortable in a good group just off the leading two runners with Peter not far behind, indeed Peter almost came onto this group at one point as they seemed unsure as to the pace that they needed to be doing. Shortly after this Steven came into view looking very comfortable and then Fabienne just ahead of Colin and no doubt having a cosy chat to take their minds off things ahead. Well, Fabienne knew what was coming and Colin had much trepidation about starting off too quickly. Paul looked very steady leading quite a big group, so he must have looked in confident mood if everyone was tagging along behind him.

99 bars rest then for the happy supporters while the 6 travelled the tracks and boulders of the Ghru though it might be viewed that a run over the pass is far more attractive and much less work than the drive round over the Lecht. Colin had been told to look for Aviemore as he passed the summit cairn which he did and it just about did for him as the recent advert about the smallification unit sprung to mind. However, he recalled that its apparent size was probably due to perspective which fazed him even more. By this time he had eeked out a smallish lead on Fabienne who was not looking forward to the downhill section into the forest.

Phil meanwhile had managed to drag his ailing body up the path to the big clearing just south of the Cairngorm Bridge to provide tea and cakes to the luridly attired ones. However, trying to take a photo, carry two sorts of drinks, a banana and several jelly babies while not being able to run proved too much to cope with, so the menu was reduced to water or pink stuff.

Donald Naylor was seen bouncing down the path as if he was out on training run some 8 minutes clear of the field having probably seen no-one for the last 20 miles.

Tommy was the first harrier through looking decidedly tired but in an excellent fourth place. He left his swish light weight sunglasses here and immediately speeded up to finish in 4^th place, only 50 seconds behind the 3^rd placed runner. Sadly he fell foul of the dreaded WDSM syndrome (Well Done Sidewinder Missile) offered to him by some very nice old ladies causing him to look up to smile only to stub his toe and score 9.4 for acrobatic excellence. As those who do this sort of racing regularly, this high score only comes with much practice and so Tommy has once again done the Club proud.

Tommy’s time of 3:28.38 may be a club record for this Race, but some interrogation prior to 2004 will need to be done. It would have won the race in 2002 by almost 5 minutes.

Next through was Peter, looking very calm and business like though a cheery smile gave away that he was having a good run and so he was by putting in a 15 minute PB which can’t be bad.

Next up was Stevie putting up with severe back pain and determined to keep going to complete the course and was rewarded with an 11 minute PB.

Then two club vests showed in the same sighting with Colin obviously enjoying his first outing in this part of the world and being chased by a lady. Fabienne was just under 3 minutes behind, having not had a comfortable start to the race, but from the boulders onwards things began to fit together. She was looking strong at the clearing and with another club vest coming into sight set about the task. Colin had forgotten his rear view mirrors and was totally unaware that the chase was on. The last 4.5 miles are tough and though the time was whittled down dramatically the final chase up Aviemore High Street was not quite long enough for a reversal with a mere 19 seconds separated the pair at the line. I am sure that both of them will have thought the High Street quite long enough!

Finally, but by no means least was Paul putting in sterling work over the last section to overcome stomach problems and tightening leg muscles. He received an ice cream (it’s in the mind you know) form his son at the main road that gave him the strength to push aside the traffic in the High Street for a storming finish – and uphill too.

Well, what can you say, no nice white envelopes for the club this year with HBT grabbing the Male team prize, but surely there must be a STANDING OVATION for

6 Runners è è è 6 Significant Personal Bests