Well here’s a new 10k mixed terrain race, as part of the Spirit of Speyside whisky festival. Having the Archiestown 5k in the morning, this could have gone either way of being a fail or a hit. But it seems several runners had Muttley as a childhood hero and the opportunity of two medals in a day was far too good an opportunity to pass up. (Paul Jamieson being one)
A decent sized crowd and field assembled for the race brief, where the director warned the conditions were “a bit dobby in places” Having set off at the front and blown up last week at Balmoral, I started a bit further back, intending to see how I felt.
Heading away from the clock tower, down the road towards Glenfiddich for a short section, before turning left and heading onto a muddy double track. The track climbed, then levels out for some puddle dodging before dropping down to the road near to Dufftown station. Along the road, past Balvenie before joining the Speyside way for a bit.
Turning off the Speyside way, a path drops down to a small bridge crossing the river and then climbs up the other side of the valley towards a waterstop at the half way point and the start of the road section back towards town. Reaching the outskirts of town, the road starts to climb but there’s still 1.7km left to run. A left turn takes you past Mortlach and down to the river.
The final leg starts with a short sharp climb up to the junction at the church. Branching left, the road continues to climb steadilly before levelling out for the last 200m and crossing the finish line. I’d managed to keep Louise Cartmell within sight, about 200m ahead and she came in with a good time and first lady.
Other MRR running. Helen Low, Fiona Hamilton, Julie and Adie Flanighan.
Report by: Neil Purdie