RACE REPORT 2009.
Records Smashed on Smashing Day
Given our 305 declared Ultra entries at race closure on Tuesday night, the 275 starters and 242 finishers, this year’s “Fling” was bound to set new records. However, little did we know that our menfolk would improve on every existing time. Jez, although suffering from a cold, shaved another five minutes off his previous best to finish in 7:19:09. (What will he do if when he is fit? Is the 7-hour “Fling” a 21st century “holy grail” to match the 4-minute mile?) Bill Maxwell finished in 9:31:19 to knock thirteen minutes off Davie Atkin’s MSV record, but pride of place must go to Allen Smalls who improved the MV best by over an hour finishing in 7:47:47, and Adrian Dixon who set a new V60 record of 9:54:08, over an hour and a quarter better than Rob Reid’s previous mark. We knew something was up when we heard that despite the warm day, Rob hadn’t gone for his customary swim at Derrydarroch. The Bellahouston Beer Bellies joined in the fun finishing in 6:42:07 and knocking nearly an hour off the previous relay record.
The Ladies were put slightly in the shade by all this mayhem, although special mention should be made of Helen MacDonald-Jones’ inaugural F55 time of 12:04:40, which put many of the young lads to shame, but then Adrian had already done that! Bellahouston Belles in 7:57:10, pushed last year’s champions from East Kilbride into 2nd place and improved their record by almost an hour. Sarah Ridgway was another indisposed champion who defeated not only her opponents but an upset stomach (this is a euphemism –ed). Sarah was chased home by Alison Campbell and Sharon Law, two young ladies that show Scotland has a great future in Ultra running. If we could just get Debbie back in the saddle (I don’t think you can write that – ed), we would have a trio of outstanding female Ultra runners.
In finishing 2nd on his first Ultra Scott Bradley burst on to the scene in a manner reminiscent of Lucy’s sensational debut in 2007. Godfather Dario is making Scott offers that cannot be refused about running in this year’s WHW race. (Don’t know what’s worse, cuddling a horse’s head, the image of Dario dangling, or actually running the monster.) Anyway, it was a magnificent run, and only Jez has ever beaten Scott’s time of 7:33:42. Helen Johnson is another haunted by an outstanding contemporary. She won the FV race by nearly an hour in 9:54:02, but Lucy denies her a place in the record books. Another intact record is Cath Worth’s who also gained a place on the FSV podium behind Julie Gardner and Julie Bradshaw.
One of the highlights was Geraldine Currie and Christine Fyffe sneaking home in 14:17:07 to win the Final Finisher’s Walking Sticking. “King” Jim Robertson is arranging a formal Milburn investiture. Another was Thomas showering in sparkling water. (Debbie Consani has photographic evidence.) Given his terrific time and another podium, this might catch on. Buy shares in Highland Spring! The Male Ultra Club competition was tight with Carnegie Harriers, Scott Bradley, Richie Cunningham, and Andrew James edging out Kilbarchan and Central. The Female version was won by Helensburgh, and it was great to see Ellen, inspiration of the “Fling,” on the winner’s podium with Aileen Scott and Lorna Masterton.
The Coors Cup for the club with the most finishers was really close. Carnegie and Nothumberland F.R. had five, but Central, Kilbarchan, and Newport & District each had six, the tie being broken by Newport’s two females Lisa and Helen, against Kilbarchan’s one, and Central’s all male group. So the Coors Cup heads to the Shropshire Green Machine with our congratulations. The International Vet race was also tight with Scotland, George Cairns, Mark Harris, and Colin Hutt, retaining “Les Pantouffles Vieilles” in 25:43:26, less than four minutes ahead of the English lads, Allen Smalls, Stuart Mills, and Paul Dickens.
Only a remarkably small number of 23 runners failed to finish and none were seriously damaged. Peter Reed clearly showed he has a head for heights during the Everest marathon, but it came off second best when he head-butted the A82 at the Carmyle tunnel. To his great credit Peter still finished, bloodied but unbowed. We’re pleased to report that Harvey is making a full recovery, although Charlie having lost his title, wants the race changed to January so he can pull David on a sledge like those Iditarod huskies.
The “Fling” is too big to name all those who organised and supervised it. However, we must make special mention of our sponsors. Montane have been model sponsors in every way. How often do you see the sponsor boss humping like any race “roadie” during the event? Tim Butcher helped everywhere on the day and we’re very grateful. The Coors Light was brilliant. Alan Lucker forgot the sponsorship, but all that kept him going over the last 10 miles was the idea of a cold beer at the finish. When he crossed the line to be presented with a cold Coors Light with the condensation running down the outside he thought he was hallucinating! Davie Hall was in tears at the finish, but only because his son Andrew had drunk his Coors Light! The “Magic Mugs” from the Real Food Café really mean what it says on them. ANYTIME you take it into the Real Food Café Sarah will give you free tea or coffee. So keep it in the car. Vasque/Runfurther contributed much to the gaiety and prizes, and even sent Karen up to run. The stovies from the Tyndrum Lodge Hotel were delicious. We’ll try to put the recipe on the forum. We’re grateful to Joyce Russell and the team from Strathfillan CDT who served them and organised the ceilidh with Brian Cairns of the Ben More Hotel in Crianlarich. Finally thanks to the radio scouts, waterboys, and prize presenters from Crianlarich Primary School. One of the girls said to Headteacher Sandra, “Miss, this is really good, isn’t it?” And so it was. Thank-you all for coming. Let’s do it again next year.
