RACE!

“HIGHLAND FLING” RACE REPORT 2008

 “Fling” Flies to New Heights 

With 137 entrants, 119 starters and 104 finishers this year’s “Fling” set records in every category. This was supplemented by record performances throughout the field, particularly from our resident superstars, Jez (7:24:50), Lucy (8:10:03) and Rob (MSDV 11:09:49). These times were remarkable given that the weather in the first few hours led to slippery conditions and a nasty breeze on Conic Hill. (Nom felt that if he had jumped out he could have flown down, but luckily he didn’t try it!) The clouds parted and the day ended in bright sunshine, although photos of Jez finishing show him still wearing his waterproof top. (Serves him right for going so fast!) 

Now the race has been going for a few years we can compare individual times. George Cairns (8:47:21), Cameron Campbell (12:18:36), David Hay (12:15:47), and Hugh Kerr (9:36:32) were among those who improved by over an hour, but they were eclipsed by Shirley Colquhoun (no relation to Lucy) who knocked an hour and forty minutes off her PB to finish in 11:48:08, pipping Ellen to the FSV second spot.

 Whilst celebrating our winners (full results on website), congrats go to every finisher. Completing the race is a remarkable achievement and everyone that did so can feel proud. The “good shepherd” Jim Robertson did a great job escorting his “lambs” Christine, Tricia, and Ali as far as BeinGlas where they timed out. Having done the hardest 42 miles with morale intact, they’ll surely come back next year. Martyn Candy stopped at BeinGlas thinking (erroneously) that he wouldn’t make the time limit, Morgan ran out of puff when going well, Allan Millar and Richard Lathe twisted ankles, Andrew Murray (in 27^th place) jarred his back, Steven King also had back problems, David Foord had stomach cramps, Ian Donnelly bruised his side in a fall, and Phil Robertson and Jim Clarke succumbed to knee injuries. Happily no injury will have lasting ramifications, although as Jim’s retirement put paid to the Aussie team’s chances questions will surely be raised in Canberra. 

The Male International Race was won by Scotland (Richie Cunningham, George Cairns, & Colin Hutt - 25:07:17), in front of England (Jez Bragg, Paul Scholte, & John Kynaston - 26:44:24), and Wales (Donald Naylor, Alun Morton-Lloyd, and David Palmer - 29:46:17) Congrats to JK for becoming an “England International” at long last. The Vets race was also a home win with Colin, Duncan McGougan, and Hugh Kerr (27:51:08) triumphing over the English trio of John K., Martin Terry and Lewis Grundy (29:44:07) to win the prestigious “Pantouffles Vieilles”. The Scottish girls, Lucy, Gail, and Lynne (28:42:51) settled any argument by finishing 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd in the Female race, gaining the additional kudos of beating the English Male Vets. (Sorry, John but I had to mention it.)

The relay races were great fun, hugely enjoyed by all the teams who have already promised to enter next year. Central AC (7:31:50) set a new record, Rooney’s Rogues (so named because “Benny the Rogue” managed, after a minor injury, to switch his individual place into a team application two days after entry closure, became the inaugural Mixed winners, and the Ladies from East Kilbride are now immortalised as our first ever female relay champions. It was great to have them all at the finish cheering on the full “Fling” runners and creating such a terrific atmosphere. As Graeme Gemmell said, the cheering was such that they didn’t know whether to wave, bow or applaud themselves. Graeme tried to curtsy but after nearly tripping himself he just staggered over the line.

 As the race grows the list of helpers we must thank grows with it. These good folk give up their day for the runners and many marshalled because injury or illness prevented their own participation. Typical was Debbie, a former WHW and “Fling” winner, who continued our ancient tradition of having a previous winner starting the race by blowing the whistle at Milngavie, after helping with registration, before heading to Balmaha to marshal with Davie Atkin and Emma. David Venables and Jimmy Boyd did sterling service at Rowardennan, as did John Duncan, Paul Holmes and Gordon Adam at Inversnaid, and Julia and Andrew Henderson, Rachel and David Bailey, George and Gillian McGregor, and Alistair Skeoch at BeinGlas. Andy Armitage, Angela MacDonald and Angus Reid covered many miles as support drivers and still helped out at Tyndrum where they were joined by the checkpoint marshals like John D, Julia and Andrew, and George and Gillian helping our timekeepers Alistair Wylie and Mark Hamilton. Special mention must be made of Pamela Turner who was press-ganged into presenting the medals and champagne (and kissing dozens of sweaty cheeks) at short notice when Anna Wylie succumbed to pneumonia. Our thanks go to Pamela and best wishes for a speedy recovery to Anna. Thanks to all who created the great atmosphere at the award ceremony, and to our prize presenters, Lucy and Christa Hutt, daughter of Colin.

 Special thanks to Trevor who pummelled all day and made a lot of knackered runners feel better. At the debriefing of the lady marshals (can you write that? – ed) it was agreed to raise money next year by selling tickets to watch Jez being rubbed down. A further suggestion that we allow the lady marshals to perform the rubbing down was vetoed on moral grounds. Mary Louise and Joe were super “sweepers” and we hope they’ll enter next year. Thanks to Elizabeth Barnes, who was an outstanding Asst. Race Director, and our webmaster Tim (1^st MSV), and inspiration and organiser Ellen (3^rd FSV), who are vital to the “Fling”, and without whom the race could not exist in its present form.  

Greatest thanks goes to the runners and we hope you’ll all return on 25^th April 2009. Pitch is booked, champagne is reserved, cottages (pl) and buses have been engaged, so spread the word, bring your friends, tell your clubs about the relay, and let’s see if we can make next year’s “Fling” even better.

Murdo MacDonald

"HIGHLAND FLING" RACE REPORT 2007

"The Jez and Lucy Show"

Those of us who were at last year's race were lucky to see the emergence of a wonderful new talent in Scottish Ultra running. After Jez Bragg's run, I went to the bookies to bet the house on him winning the WHW race, but they would only take a "double" combined with Gretna getting to the SPL this season, and as I knew that would never happen, I turned it down. Jez duly smashed the WHW record, and this year he broke Norman McLennan's "Fling" record by 1 hour 13 minutes, getting home in 7:26:15. He was however almost overshadowed by another remarkable performance. Lucy Colquhoun had never run an Ultra before, but "gave it a try", and in an astonishing run knocked nearly one and three-quarters of an hour off Debbie Cox's course record, finishing third overall in 8:47:40. She has undoubtedly discovered her best event and we were privileged to be there to see the birth of an Ultra legend.

These terrific performances were assisted by typical Scottish Spring weather Ð not a cloud in the sky and a light breeze. The temperature at the six o'clock Milngavie start was perfect for the 72 runners, although it warmed up as the day went on, with one or two getting slight sunburn - in Scotland! - in April! (surely some mistake - ed) This led to records all over the place, with Davie Atkin improving the Super-Vet time by forty minutes to 9:44:15, and Rob Reid improving his own Super-Duper Vet time by nearly fifteen minutes to 11:48:30. Goodness knows what time Rob would achieve if he ever runs the course without taking his customary "Derrydarroch Dip." (For those who don't believe he actually goes for a swim - the photos will soon be posted on the web) Cath Worth set a superb Female Super-Vet time of 10:14:45, which will take some beating.

Through the pack there were the usual happy tales of aches, pains, blisters, and Everton getting beaten by Man U. Happily, none of those who retired are seriously damaged. Nom and Allan have "tweaked" knees, Stewart and Tom were feeling nauseous, David V.'s Achilles tightened up, Paul S., who was going very well, succumbed to a blister souvenir from the London Marathon, and Jim C., and Nachii had given their all and retired well up the course. We hope to welcome them all back next year to put the record straight.

The splits show some remarkably disciplined runs. George Cairns gets the "haud me back" prize, improving from 38th at Balmaha to 9th at the finish. Honourable mentions also to Stephen Cant (39th to 13th) and Rosie Bell (42nd to 23rd). The prize for consistency goes to Iain Ridgway who was 5th at every checkpoint (the listed Balmaha 6th was really 5th equal), who also gets the prize for the highest finisher not to get a prize. Another special mention must go to Davie Atkin's mum, who ensured he turned 50 the day of the race, and added this year's Super-Vet win to last year's Vet victory - a double that is unlikely ever to be repeated. We're sorry we missed the party, but as the A82 was being closed at 10 o'clock, we had to head South - next year we're staying up.

Foreby the astonishing performances of the elite athletes, the highlights of the "Fling" are found throughout the field. It was good of Norman to come to the start and support the runners, even though his back failed its last minute fitness test. Having the previous year's winner start the race is an "ancient tradition" we should start right away. The smiles as people finish are always a joy. This year's brightest was Andree Lyon's as she outmanoeuvred Ray McCurdy and Jim Drummond to win the "Final Finisher" prize in 14:51:10. Another highlight was seeing Cath and Kendra-Anne coming out of the shower, (are you sure you want to write that - ed) which has given us a great idea for next year. (I bet it has - ed) By pure co-incidence, the girls were met at the finish by a North Yorks Moors AC club member who had hired the cottage alongside the line, and invited them in for tea, cakes and a shower. Classy lassies these Yorkshire girls. Kendra-Anne is making enquiries about the "Fling" hiring the cottage next year.

A special mention must be made for the "Mainland Mules", our first ever relay team; well they said it was a relay, but we only ever saw Heather actually running! The "Mules" greatly added to the gaiety of the day, particularly cheering on the finishers at Tyndrum. We have spoken to the SAF and there will definitely be a "Relay Fling" (4 x half-marathon (approx)) next year, so tell your clubs to get in training - it's a great way to introduce folk to the joys of Ultra running. The "Mules" are Davie's support team for the WHW race, and so, in his honour the prize will be called the Davie Atkin Memorial National and International Trophy. (DAMNIT for short).

There is much thanks to be given to all our helpers. To the marshals - Emma, Tim McClune, Tim Downie, Anna and Alistair, our support car with Mary and Arthur, and the support runners Dinah, George and Alistair, who are all threatening to enter next year. For pre-race advice we are indebted to Ian Beattie and Dario of WHW Race fame, and to Andy Kerr for running the website (from New Zealand!). However, the primary plaudits must go to Ellen, who not only organised the event, but competed, and then did some timekeeping and presentations. Without Ellen, there would be no "Fling", but as long as she gets back safely from the Everest Marathon, we will reconvene at Milngavie, provisionally on Saturday 26th April, 2008.

Kendra-Anne has asked me to mention the Lyke Wake Race, a 44-mile Ultra, which her club, North Yorks Moors AC, is organising on Saturday 7th July 2007. For more info check web.

Murdo MacDonald