CLUB EXCEL IN MIST-SHROUDED FIFE HILLS
Lothian Running Club survived the mist, mud and rough terrain to finish a good 25th overall and 3rd in the Open category at Scotland’s biggest hill-running event the Devils Burdens Hill Relays from Falkland in Fife.
700 athletes representing 117 teams from all over the country fought it out over the Lomond Hills over four stages, with stages two and four contested by paired runners.
There were four team category’s, male, female, mixed[3 of each] and open[uneven number of each], with Lothian in the latter.
Veteran Colin Meek led off over the opening stage from Falkland Estate to Strathmiglo, covering the five mile route in 27 minutes 30 seconds. Colin handed over to Colin Partridge and Edel Mooney – fresh from her Masters XC triumph the previous week- to navigate the gruelling six mile stage over the mist shrouded West Lomond.
The pair reached the midway change over point at Kinneswood in 1 hour 21 minutes 45 seconds.
Another of the club veterans, Kenton Jones took over the baton for the four mile third stage from Kinneswood back to Holl Reservoir. Kenton clocked 32 minutes 30 seconds as he handed over to the final leg pairing of Owen Williams and club female captain Sarah Inglis to cover the five mile East Lomond stage which finished in the picturesque village of Falkland.
Owen and Sarah brought the team home in 42 minutes 50 seconds for an overall finishing time of 3 hours 04 minutes 35 seconds. This placed the Lothian sextet 25th overall and 3rd in the Open category of the 133 teams which finished.