FESTIVE FROLICS HANDICAP RACES[BOXING DAY]
FESTIVE FROLICS HANDICAP RACES [BOXING DAY]
LOTHIAN Running Club will be hoping the current milder spell of weather continues over the next few days as they put together final preparations for their Festive Frolics Handicap Races on Boxing Day, writes Shane Fenton.
Ever-present on the running calendar since 1986, the races were cancelled in both 2009 and 2010 because of heavy snow preventing access to the course.
There are two handicap races, over 7km and 14km which get underway at 11am, To enter: In advance preferred, by 22nd December, phone Peter West (01506) 492088 or by email peterwest@blueyonder.co.uk (you can enter on the day at Cockleroy Car Park up to 10.30am) Entry is free. When entering, please state which distance you want to run, and give some indication of your current form, eg 10k, 10 mile or half marathon time.
For the not-so-serious runners, there is the Cockleroy Chaser Fun Run over a course of approximately 1km which starts at 11.15am with entries accepted up to 10.45am.
Both handicap runs use the same tough loop starting near Cockleroy Car Park, heading east through Beecraigs, round Beecraigs Loch, up the sawmill hill and returning, via Balvormie, to climb Cockleroy just before the finish.
The surface varies from short sections on tarmac to firm trails within the woods, to rough tracks, and includes the ascent and descent on grass of Cockleroy.
Some sections could be very wet and muddy depending on the weather.
The Cockleroy Chaser is run up and down Cockleroy, from the finish area of the Festive Handicap.
And runners of all ages are welcome, though parents should supervise very young competitors.