Beinn Ratha Hill Race - 26/04/2008

The recent Beinn Ratha Hill Race brought dry but windy conditions for the 21 runners. There were the hardy local runners as well as those from further south, some of whom knew what they were letting themselves in for and some who had foolishly listened to the enthusiasm of absent club mates.

The 7.5 mile course takes in two peaks of Beinn Ratha and with the windy conditions this proved to be a challenge that would not see the course records of 48.40min for men and 66.45min for women being broken. The athletes never the less set off with great enthusiasm coloured by a year's memory loss from their last expedition up Beinn Ratha.

ALL trophy winners

In the 2 mile run along the track to the base of the hill, the front runners settled into a good pace with Steven Worsley from Highland Hill Runners leading the field out, closely followed by Graeme Taylor from Caithness AAC. Because of the height of the climb coupled with the overall distance of the race, runners have to be 20 years old to compete. Graeme at the age of 17 was therefore running as a guest with instructions to run with one of the more experienced hill runners whilst out on the hill.

This he did, as the 2 runners build up a sizeable lead on the rest of the field with the women's race being headed out by Martine Hughes from CAAC. The expected reprieve from the wind in the gully between the 2 peaks did not materialise which meant that the runners got little respite from the exposed conditions. The long downhill climb from the second peak therefore came as a welcome relief as the runners stretched out their legs as they made for the track off the hill.

As Steven and Graeme hit the main road with 1.5 miles to go, Graeme took the lead and by the time he had reached Reay Golf Club and the finish line, he had pulled a 50 second lead on the rest of the field. Martine dominated the women's race and finished 2 ½ minutes ahead of the next woman, Emily Hoskins from Tain Runners.

The prizes were presented by Ian Ross, Captain of Reay Golf Club who kindly support this event with the use of their club house.

The prize winners were as follows:

• Female:-
  1. Martine Hughes (CAAC) 1.14.12hrs,
  2. Emily Hoskins (Tain Runners) 1.16.51hrs.
• Female Vet:-
  1. Alison Smith (CAAC) 1.23.36hrs,
  2. Anne Mackay (Tain Runners) 1.25.06hrs.
• Male:-
  1. Steven Worsley (Highland Hill Runners) 0.56.21hrs,
  2. Eric Duncan (not attached) 0.57.39hrs,
  3. Colin Olden (not attached) 1.02.40hrs.
• Male Vet:-
  1. David Spencer (CAAC) 1.02.02hrs,
  2. Sandy Christie (CAAC) 1.02.14hrs.

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