Tinto Hill Race Photos & Report

Tinto Hill Race was held today. There were a great turn out of 47 Carnegie Harriers

Thanks to Ken Walker who braved the cold and took photos of the race.

Photos HERE

There are More Photos on the Hillbillies Blog Here

Race report by Fabienne Thompson, Ladies Captain & Carnegie Hillbilly

 On Saturday 10 November, 31 men and 16 women, all wearing the Carnegie Harriers colours, gathered just outside Symington, near Biggar to tackle the 7 km race up and down Tinto Hill (460metres). For some club members, this was just part of a packed hill racing diary (a sprint for Richie Cunningham), for others it was the opportunity to revive a dormant hill running past but for many, racing away from the tarmac was a challenging new experience. Regardless of running background and experience the 47 Carnegie Harriers made the journey to the Borders to run in memory of George Murdoch, our friend and  running mate who left us too young and suddenly last month.

The weather was not particularly inviting with the mist over the surrounding hills, threatening clouds and blowing wind. Still, visibility was good and overall conditions were almost exotic compared with last year’s gale force wind and near freezing temperatures. The field of 246 runners was well up for it. 
 
Minutes before the start, Carnegie members all gathered and our Club President, Pauline Walker, spoke a few moving words reminding us that this race was part of George’s plan. As we had no wine glass to raise up to absent George, we all vowed to raise our knees up the hill, to the seasoned hill runner (and Club Captain) which he was.

With Ken Walker, our official photograph for the day, in place part way up the course, away we all trotted, varying in styles and speed, up the path, across mud, over the fence, on grass and eventually over more stony steep and uneven grounds, the challenge took place and the wind remained. George’s wife, Gail, and his brother John combined mental strength and fitness to fight emotions, both maintaining a very decent running pace right up to the top and down to the finish line.

In his most subtle ways, George had the ability to convince us that nothing was impossible, and that no achievement was insignificant. Yesterday, George also taught us that some hill racing is really accessible to all. It would be a shame to just leave it to that. Let’s hope that Tinto has inspired those who made it to the top and who can pat themselves on the back for featuring on the results list.

Fabienne