The five peak, six mile, Carnethy Hill Race took place on Saturday 14 February.
On a grey, damp and misty Valentine’s Day, runners from across the United Kingdom gathered at the foot of the Pentland Hills, eager to win the coveted Shottstown Miners Welfare trophy.
Now in its 45th year, the Carnethy 5 “Tiso” Hill Race brings together over five hundred runners willing to complete the gruelling six mile race. This year was no different with 515 contestants, ranging from those in their teenage years to those in their mid-seventies.
The time to beat was Gavin Bland’s 46:56, set in 1999 and still unbroken, or female contestant, Angela Mudge’s, 54:20. Unfortunately neither record was broken, meaning the £250 cash prizes will go unclaimed for another year.
However, the winner’s time is not to be frowned upon. Overall 2015 winner was Andrew Douglas from Inverclyde AC. The runner completed the course in 49:23, equating to just over eight minutes per mile. Second place went to Carnethy HRC’s own Andrew Fallas, who finished the race a narrow twenty seconds after Andrew Douglas. A minute later, at 50:45, Shettleston Harrier’s Tom Owens crossed the finish line to take third place.
First for the female runners was Charlotte Morgan of Carnethy HRC, with the admirable time of 56:46. Ms Morgan now holds the title as the course’s third fastest female and can add the Royal Bank of Scotland Quaich to her trophy cabinet. The second woman to cross the line was Jasmin Paris, of the host club, Carnethy HRC, having ran the course in 58:07. Shortly after the hour mark had passed (01:00:43), Georgia Tindley, of Edinburgh H & H, crossed the line.
In the over forty category, Jim Davies came first, finishing in 53:20. He takes the Pentland Shield home with him. The first over forty female to finish was Megan Mowbray with the time of 01:07:12. Ms Mowbray now lays claim to the Gordon Trophy.
Into the over fifty category and Stewart Whitlie took first after crossing the line in 56:06. After an hour and sixteen minutes, the first over-50 female, Michelle Hetherington, completed the course. The over sixty male (Rob Coles) and female (Sheila Strain) finished after 01:11:03 and 01:43:31, respectively. There were no over-seventy females to complete the race though over-seventy male Gibson Fleming, concluded the race in 01:24:40.
On the other end of the scale, under-twenty runners Andrew Lawler and Isla Mackay took their respective first place awards. Mr Lawler of Edinburgh AC finished with a time of 55:06 and Ms Mackay with a time of 01:16:36.
Overall team winner was England’s Helm Hill Runners.
A number of contestants also took home their 21st Race Quaich, including Laurie Anderson, Keith Burns, Bruce Smith and Richard Wall.
Remarkably, race regular, Jimmie Jardine, completed his 45th race, having started upon the race’s inception back in 1970. Another regular, James Rowley, completed his 43rd race.
To celebrate the Carnethy Five’s anniversary, every participant left with a special bottle of Carnethy 5 Brew and a mug.
Nice beery memento from the Carnethy chaps. Getting stuck into that shortly… pic.twitter.com/VADnqukYEe
— Grant MacDonald (@g_macd) February 14, 2015
The 46th race will take place in February 2016 and applications can be made from January 7.