Eyemouth 2011 Race Report
Really quick race report from the last of the Border Series Races at Eyemouth. The race was a couple of weeks ago but I have been waiting for the results to come up so I could report more accurately (well that’s my excuse anyway!).
Intrepid trio Charles, Mandy and I were representing GRC Tri at this one (Acky was on a well deserved holiday – again!).
The pool is situated right next to the beach at Eyemouth and is probably one of the most scenic of the series. The weather was ok considering it hadn’t been in the days leading up to Sunday. Lots of familiar faces milling about and I took the opportunity to introduce Judith (our newest recruit) to Mandy and Charles. Judith had done all the Come & Tri events and was looking good for third female overall for the series.
Race briefing over we were soon milling around the pool area waiting for the race to start.
Short run from the pool to the car park to T1. You had to push your bike up a steep-ish hill before you could mount it and then straight up a hill for the first half a kilometre. The cycle route is an out and back route and to be honest it is mostly uphill for the whole first 10K. It is certainly a tough cycle and it is a relief to see the turn point marshall. The tough outward leg makes for a terrific and pretty rapid return leg though!
Back into transition and back out up a hill through a small housing estate and then you are suddenly on the cliff tops over looking the sea. This is not a PB run route. Not only is it hilly but it is not a proper path as such but more a narrow track worn away by walkers which is not much bigger than a foot or so wide. At times it is so narrow it is difficult to know where to put your feet. Thankfully, M & C had been during the week to recce the routes and had recommended trail shoes and they were definitely a bonus here. As the route is also and out and back it was interesting to see who would give way when you met an runner coming in the opposite direction. Plenty of marshalls up there and the return leg, if you dared to look up, was quite breathtaking overlooking the sea. Down and around a caravan park, down some steps and the final 100m or so is along the beach, so you have your very own Chariots of Fire moment!
I loved this event, it was definitely challenging but a great sense of achievement at the end. For once my transitions were reasonably quick although I am considering taking a shoe horn next time!
Charles was the first of the team home in 1:20:03 and 7th overall, Mandy close behind in 1:25:03 and 27th overall with little ol’ me coming along in 74th in 1:42:40. Judith came 16th in the Come & Tri event in a great time of 52:25.
The event series results don’t seem to be complete however I do know that our fabby Mandy took 3rd prize! And Judith held onto her 3rd place in the Come & Tri event too! Time to move up to Sprint distance J!
This is a great series of events and worth considering next year. They are informal and very friendly, usually provide a buffet afterwards and at Eyemouth there was hot food!
Next year’s race dates will be released soon and entries open second week of January.
Tina