The overnight and morning thunderstorms had cleared to leave a very warm and humid evening for this, the second race in The Speyside Series.
Back in May, the Archiestown 5k was the first race in the series. The Speyside Windfarm 12 Miler is the third and final race on 28 August. The series began in 2013 and has been won by our very own Kenny Wilson in 2013 and Darrin Cameron last year. The series winner has the lowest aggregate time for all three runs.
I’ve completed the series in 2013 and 2014, but last year only managed the Dufftown race. I missed the Archiestown 5k this year. Hopefully I’ll get all three in next year.
Having pre-registered for the series, I was able to collect my race number in the Royal British Legion faster than your average Road Runner can complete a lap of the Morriston track. Other Road Runners up for the race were Ed Dunbar, Louise Cartmell and Neil McWilliam. On the start line, we were outnumbered by Forres Harriers, Cairngorm Runners and Metro Aberdeen.
Ed was making his debut in this particular race and looked genuinely disappointed to learn we weren’t going up the Conval! Neil and I were getting our excuses in early. I was claimed to have trashed my legs at a spin class the day before, Neil was claiming the same from a long ride with Elgin Cycling Club not 24 hours earlier. Meanwhile, Louise had noted the presence of Forres Harriers starlet, Anna MacFadyen.
The pre-race safety briefing was given by Alex Benvie of Dufftown Jog Scotland. He threatened an extra lap for any clean runners at the finish, but there was no chance for that. Jim Nicol, Dufftown Speirin’s mannie, promised us all fame in the autumn edition. Louise and Paul Jamieson are now world famous, having made it into the summer edition while taking part in the inaugural Dufftown 10k. At 19:01, a quick honk on Jim’s horn and off we charged, splashing and dodging towards the ford through the burn.
Normally we would run through Hillside Burn, just a step or two. The recent downpours had made the burn a bit deeper and murkier the normal, so we were directed over the wee bridge to the right. The puddles on the hillside road were bigger than usual, the ground squelchier than usual, but this off road bit was surprisingly good all things considered.
After a largely uphill mile, we crossed Maltkiln Burn and turned downhill on a firm and fast track towards Glenfiddich Distillery. A marshalled road crossing allowed us to safely cross the road and turn left to run flat and fast for a few hundred meters on the hard stuff. Ed was well out of sight by now and Louise was a good 20 seconds ahead, fighting it out with Kirstie Rogan of Forres Harriers. I have to admit, that at this point, I was disappointed not to be keeping pace with Louise.
Off-road we went again as we detoured through the Dufftown Railway Station (Keith – Dufftown Railway) and onto the Dufftown spur of the Speyside Way for 1k. We were turned right off the trail and down through the ever expanding Balvenie Distillery warehouses towards the Fiddich. As I crossed the single file swing brig over the river, I couldn’t help thinking how much Karen Norvell would enjoy that. A final steep muddy 200m section signalled the end of the off-road running and the location of a water station.
Sharp right and homeward bound on the Maggieknockater to Dufftown Road. The road rises steadily here, for a while, as we track along the hillside parallel to the Fiddich. While holding my breath for a few seconds, trying hard to avoid another lungful of rotten road-kill badger, I noticed that Louise was winning her battle. Shortly after, Dave More of Metro, surged past me. As the road levelled then dropped, I stretched my legs a little to regain my place.
That wee bit extra effort gave me a slight stitch that I tried to control as we passed the former Parkmore Distillery, went under the railway line and back over the Fiddich on the road bridge. Once over the river, we turned right for a fairly challenging 400m uphill section sandwiched between Balvenie Castle and the railway line. I noticed my stitch had been forgotten about (until now obviously) so that was good news. Bad news – Dave More was back on my shoulder as we ran along Castle Road past Glenfiddich Distillery. Louise was about 200m ahead and I could see her pumping her arms furiously as she made the left turn up the final climb towards town.
As we took the left turn, Dave More gave it some juice up the hill and I had no response. It is a 600m run up to the finish at Hill Street, and all I could do was concentrate on not taking a 10 second walk break to ease my discomfort. I just had enough to lift my knees for a sprint (slightly faster) finish as people were watching.
My target in every race is simply to beat last years time. I was 40 seconds slower, never mind, at least next years bar has been lowered. Ed finished 4th overall after coming out top in a sprint 
(genuine sprint) finish with Alan Reid of Peterhead AC. Louise finished 13th overall and second lady. Well done to both of them. Neil finished in 22nd while I was 15th. There was a field of 55 in the race. Robbie Paterson and Anna MacFadyen, both of Forres Harriers won the male and female titles. Results can be found on the club website. There are lots of pictures from the race on the ‘Still Running’ Dufftown JogScotland Facebook page.
The race was very well organised and marshalled. There may well have been more organisers, marshals and helpers than actual runners. These small local races are fantastic events for us runners and it would be great to see more Road Runners attend. It’s what we train for.
I didn’t stick around for the traditional cake and sandwich fest. I’ve heard all about them and I’m certain that this one didn’t disappoint. A big thank you to the Dufftown Jog Scotland group. Long may it continue.
Next up for me – Jean Carr Hill Run at Fochabers this weekend. Part of the Fochabers Triple Challenge and another great local race that deserves our support. You know you want to.
Report by: Nigel Williams