Note we are still awaiting the results from the JSB Plumbing Final and the Presidents Select match

 
Our young athletes had a superb end to the 2010 season with 3^rd place in the UK final of the Young Athletes League – the best ever by a Scottish team.
The conditions were reasonable – dry and warm but rather breezy, mainly behind the sprinters.

64 medals were won – 14 Gold, 25 Silver and 25 Bronze (2009 – total of 58, 27 G, 20 S and 11 B) and there were 57 personal best performances.

Among our highlights were the following:
Meeting record for Kimberley Reed in the U17 Women’ s Hammer with 47.96m – this won her the award for Female U17 Field Athlete of the Match.

The performances of our U17s who were representing Scotland at Gateshead in the UK School Games on Friday/Saturday and then travelled down to take part in the match on Sunday – Tom Holligan, Jay Younger, Kieran Kivlin, Kimberley Reed and Paula Gass.
They made an enormous difference to the success of the team, not only in the points they won, but in increasing morale by turning out.

Our ‘A’ string winners –
Jay Younger      U17 men 400m  49.36
Olivia O’Hare   U17 women 800m  2.16.45
Kimberley Reed  U17 women  Hammer  47.96
U13 boys 4 x 100m relay (Felipe, Silvano, Craig and Kingsley)  51.99
U17 men 4 x 100m relay (Cammy, Tom, John and Kieran)  43.50 (EAC U17 record)

4 Scottish Young Athletes League Records –
Kimberley Reed  U17 women  Hammer  47.96
U13 boys 4 x 100m relay  51.99
U17 men 4 x 100m relay 43.50
U17 men 4 x 400m relay (Tom, John, Kieran and Jay)  3.24.53

The team spirit was epitomised by the efforts of Ruaridh Miller (first year U17) who competed in the 800m (1 sec outside his best), 1500m and then finished of with his first ever 1500m Steeplechase -  he gave everything in each race.

Apologies to the other athletes – I can’t mention everyone – you were all great and every point counted!!
Thanks to the team managers, coaches and the large number of parents for all their support – it was much appreciated.
(Keith Ridley)

Photos from Manchester are available on:
http://www.darkstarphotos.com/gallery.htmland
http://www.whiteflyerphotography.com/events/NATYAL%20Finals%202010/Main/index.html

Rob Cleat was at the competition and took over 1000 photos – a selection of these should be available soon.

Full Results available on
 http://www.natyal.co.uk/assets/files/FINALS/nyal_2010_finals_MAIN(1).pdf

The match result and our atheltes results:

EAC-Club-PBs 2010 Female

EAC-Club-PBs 2010 Male

For previous posts on the EAC Road Race Rankings, see

http://edinburghac.org.uk/?p=6443

Hawick 10k 29/08/10
Neil Renault 30.15
Kevin Graham 36.43
Eric Stevenson 44.23
Full Race Results at -  http://www.teviotdaleharriers.org.uk/

Run & Become Self Transcendence Meadows 5k 01/09/10
James Mittra 16.49
Adam Priesley 17.12
Full Race Results at -  srichinmoyraces

Glasgow 10k 05/09/10
Keith Dunlop 38.17
Darren Steel 39.15
Sharyn Ramage 43.46
Mark Connolly 45.32
Brian McGowan 57.46

Glasgow 1/2 Marathon 05/09/10
Matt Bell 1.10.28
Colin McGill 1.14.59
Bryan Mackie 1.16.59
Dan Clarkson 1.18.50
Jenny Maclean 1.19.31
Katharine Brownlee 1.20.32
Stuart Johnston 1.22.45
Naimh Devlin 1.24.57
Marietta Beal 1.31.57
Lyndsey Fraser 1.33.03
Helen Brownlee 1.36.23
Eddie Follan 1.37.44
Jane Wright 1.37.52
Emma Laverie 1.37.55
Andy O’Neill 1.38.13
Araceli Portela 1.42.00
Alastair Jack 3.03.27

Full Race Results at – http://www.chipresults.co.uk/Default.aspx

Hopefully some race reports to follow……….

RUN/WALK IN CHEVIOTS - 3 OCTOBER

The Cheviots are excellent runnable grassy hills that straddle the Scottish English Border.  The Borders Search and Rescue Team are organising a walking or running event over either a 16km or 23km route.

It is not a race as such, but would make an excellent trainig run or a trial run for anyone not too sure what hill running is like, but would like to give it a try.

MARILYN BAGGING UPDATE.

Heading to the hills near Callander last week a remote summit was best attacked by a 6 – 7 mile cycle in on a landrover track, and a 2 mile trek on foot to the summit.  Heading into the wind, and up the track I nearly ran out of gears on the bike, and was glad of a break to stop and talk to a farmer who was moving his sheep.  He advised me that it would be a grand view from the summit of my target, and pointed out some good lines up other hills on my ‘to be done’ list. 

Peddling the couple of miles to the end of the track was hard work and I was glad when I reached the end.  I jumped off the bike and was surprised to see the farmer’s young sheep dog sitting behind me looking very pleased with itself. 

The only reaction when I told it to go back was vigorous tail wagging.  I told it to stop in what I though was a firm voice and strode off across the hillside – after about 10 mins I dared to look round, and there was no sign of the dog. It had gone when I got back to my bike.

At the summit of Uamph Bheag someone had carved a smiley face in a large block of wood and stuck it on top of the cairn – never seen that before.  That finished region 26a & b, which stretches on a narrow line just to the south of the Highland Boudary Fault from Dunbarton to Montrose.

This weekend saw me in the Northern Pennines visting the rarely visited summits of Aye Gill Pike, Tarn Rigg Hill, and the slightkly more poular Nine Standards Rigg with its fascinating ancient cairns.  To finish of Region 35a I climbed Yarlside, a hill typical of the Howgills.  The Howgills are big round close cropped grass covered hills.  Excellent for running, with fearsomely steep hills in some parts, not quite so much fun when wet.  A wonderful place in fine weather, challenging when misty as there are very few wall & fences to navigate by.

Head down the M6, and just south of Tebay, the hills can be seen the the east of the motorway.  Well worth a visit, and have a go at some of the races in that part of the world. 

BEN NEVIS

A quick look at the provisional results show Finlay WIld (Lochaber) winning in 1.35.39.  I thought a few of our merry band were heading up, but I only saw one name in the results – Russell finishing in 95th, just outside the 2hr mark.

HILL RUNNERS HAVE THE HIGHEST IQ

Yes its true – more research from the Boffins - a joint project between Loughborough University and Harvard has been measuring the IQ of athletes.  In depth psychometric testing has been carried out and a substantial sample of athletes from both sides of the Atlantic.  The results, due to be published for peer review later this year show clear distinctions between different types of our sport.

Track runners – these poor folk were found to have the lowest IQ. Not really surprising if all you ever do is run round in circles. They can’t even manage to run the other way round. And some, you really have to feel sorry for them, have not even managed corners yet. For another group of track runners, the organisers put barriers in their way, and the runners insist in jumping over them, when there is plenty of space at the ends, and they could just run round them.  Its a bit like climbing in and out of the window to access your house instead of using the door. At least they are usually in a contained environment, and Matron will see they get safely home and take their medication so the poor things shouldn’t come to too much harm.

Road Runners – well I am afraid that you fared little better.  Decision making rationale and independent thinking were very poor – the road runner relies very much on the herd instinct – head down and just follow the pack.  Rather like the Wildebeests on the African Plains – just follow the ones in front, no idea where we are going. Look, there’s a river full of hungry crocs, lets all jump in because some in front are jumping in.  Yes, that sort of mentality. Dressing up in fluorescent lycra does rather give the game away.

Orienteerers and Hill Runners – these are the clever chaps.  Excellent spacial awareness with exceptional levels of decision making and independent thinking. The tests showed that even under extreme stress the levels hardly deviated from the norm for this category of athlete. It was noted that this type of athlete had the ability to handle increasing numbers of mental and physical challenges simultaneously. The average IQ of the sample tested was in the top 10 percentile of the whole population, not just athletes.

So now you know.

MORE ON WEATHER FORECASTING 

It was April and the Aboriginals in a remote part of Northern Australia asked their new elder if the coming winter was going to be cold or mild. Since he was an elder in a modern community he had never been taught the old secrets. When he looked at the sky he couldn’t tell what the winter was going to be like.

Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, he told his tribe that the winter was indeed going to be cold and that the members of the tribe should collect firewood to be prepared.

But being a practical leader, after several days he had an idea. He walked out to the telephone booth on the highway, called the Bureau of Meteorology and asked, ‘Is the coming winter in this area going to be cold?’ The meteorologist responded, ‘It looks like this winter is going to be quite cold..’

So the elder went back to his people and told them to collect even more wood in order to be prepared. A week later he called the Bureau of Meteorology again. ‘Does it still look like it is going to be a very cold winter?’ The meteorologist again replied, ‘Yes, it’s going to be a very cold winter.’

The elder again went back to his community and ordered them to collect every scrap of firewood they could find. Two weeks later the elder called the Bureau again. ‘Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?’ he asked. ‘Absolutely,’ the man replied. ‘It’s looking more and more like it is going to be one of the coldest winters ever.’ ‘How can you be so sure?’ the elder asked. The weatherman replied, ‘Our satellites have reported that the Aboriginals in the north are collecting firewood like crazy, and that’s always a sure sign.’

RACES TO LOOK OUT FOR: 

Not too many races available in Scotland but there are still lots to do just over the border in Englandshire.

11 September – World famous Devil’s Beef Tub race – 2miles + 750 ft.  One of our group is 2009 champion – so this has to be a ‘must do’ race.

15 September – Caerketton downhill only – 1.1mile & - 1000ft.  Downhill only – no nasty uphills – all good running – staggered start.  Almost all get a prize – and judging by last year, the women’s prize of a pair of Marigolds will result in fierce competion!

19 September – Merrick from Glen Trool.  A fine race in SW Scotland – 8.5 miles + 3000ft.  If you decide to go give yourself plenty of time as its further than you think to the start.

19 September – Dale Head – 4.5m + 2210 from Rosthwaite, a few miles south of Keswick.  A short and sharp very runnable on grassy hills race. Probably quicker to get there than Glen Trool.

25 September – Scafell Pike – 4.5 + 3000 –  visit the highest mountain in Englandshire.  Fast running up and down, some rocky scree on the upper parts, but fast grassy running lower down.  Start from Wasdale Head campsite.

9 October – Manor Water, near Peebles, - 10miles + 2300 ft – a very runnable out and back course  – ideal warm up for Pentland Skyline on the next day,  If that isn’t enough for you you can join in the Peebleshire Sheep Dog trials.  Leg one of the famous Man or Mouse contest.

9 October – Langdale Horseshoe – 14m + 4000ft from Old Dungeon Ghyll, Langdale. A Lake District Classic – plenty of fast grassy running, plus the ‘mauvais pas’ to look forward to after Bowfell – its not that bad really.

10 October – Pentland Skyline 16 miles – 6200ft – part 2 of Man or Mouse. All very runnable, with much of it more like a trail race than a traditional fell race.

17 October – UKA British Relays in Lomonds of Fife.  See Fife AC website for details.

30 October – Meall a’ Bhauchaille – 6m + 2100ft – from Glenmore Lodge, above Aviemore.  This race has changed route several times over the years due to Forestry work – but a good race with a Corbett included.  Love of heather bashing helpful.

13 November – Tinto – 4.4m + 1000ft – fast runnable up and down a fine popular hill. Register at Symington village hall, a couple of miles away.  Best get there early as parking is limited.

See you on a hill sometime soon.  

Cheers,

Jonathan.

Several of our athletes were selected to represent team Glasgow in the prestigious UK School Games:

100m     6th Kieran Kivlin   11.50
200m     1st Tom Holligan    22.09 
400m     3rd Jay Younger     49.01
100mH  6th Cameron Goodall 13.88

1500m     8th  Louisa Stewart     4:53.21
Javelin     4th  Paula Gass              38.51
Hammer  2nd  Kimberley Reed   50.41

Full results are here:
http://www.ukschoolgames.com/2010/results/athletics/event034h01.html

a history of Edinburgh Southern Harriers by Ken Smart or the Southern Way(unknown author).
Any ideas where these books can be bought?.
I am interested, as my relative used to compete in the 60s for them(James Mckay),thanks

Lynn Herriot is looking for copies of

The main weekend road races are the Glasgow  1/2M and 10k and it sounds like a large number of EAC runners have entered. Some are aiming to catch the 8am train through to Glasgow and then going for post race food and drink. We don’t have a specific venue yet, but if interested, meet up in Glasgow Green after the race and we will head into the city centre to find somewhere.