Sunday 26th July saw a small field of 28 runners gather for the annual Jean Carr race, which was run by Spey Runners as part of the Fochabers Gala. The race is about 6 miles long and mostly off-road, with a fair bit of climbing involved.
The race started in Fochabers square and we had about half a mile on the road to get our legs warmed up before we entered Ordiquish woods. Once in the woods we started our steady climb along the trail path that would take us up to the Jean Carr stone. I could see Nigel and Dave up ahead and both looked like they were having a good run. Once we passed the stone we had a bit more climbing to do up a fire road before we could begin our nice long descent back to the town.
Near the finish we had to run through some woods and it was here that I took a wrong turn and went to cross a bridge, but luckily fellow MRR Bill Murray corrected me and I only lost a few seconds, although it was nearly enough for the third placed lady to get past me and I had to put in a sprint finish to keep my place!
Paul Murdoch from Keith & District won the race, and Susan McRitchie from Forres Harriers was 1st lady, with myself finishing 2nd lady and getting a prize for being 1st female vet.
Other MRR taking part were:
Raymond Hardie (5th overall and 2nd MSV), Nigel Williams (2nd MV), Dave Mathers, Bill Murray, Christopher Smith and David Ingleby.
Report by: Michelle Donaldson Slater