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Half a dozen harriers/limpers set out on Saturday to explore one of the quieter and lesser known areas of the Border hills. Setting off just minutes from the main A68/A697 junction at Carfraemill, we were soon away from the few houses at Longcroft, and after a brief run alongside the burn, began climbing onto a flat topped ridge above us. Once up, the route undulated along a good track, allowing us all to enjoy the sunshine, and wide open views. The chat flowed, and the scenery gradually unfolded until we met the first real section of bog trotting that we have encountered on these runs. It only lasted a few yards however before we reached a superb quality gravel track that seemed to follow a line of pylons for miles and miles across the open moorland.

After dropping back to the burn briefly, we climbed gradually back to the ridge on the opposite side of the glen, regrouping, and stopping to admire the views as the fancy took us. Our return route was less well trodden, with a couple of short sections of “heather bashing”. We stopped to study a mountain hare that had turned white for the winter, but seemed unwell, and sat glassy eyed instead of running away.

Shelagh King had been on call the night before, and was keeping up the rear. We all did our best to lighten her load by eating all her wine gums – only to then run away with renewed vigour. She didn’t seem to mind too much however as we all regrouped for the final time at an iron age fort on the end of the ridge overlooking the waiting cars. A quick look around, and a photo stop was followed by a fantastic, fast descent to the cars on beautiful smooth grass. Altogether, we were running for around an hour and a half, and chatted/socialised in a stationary mode for another 30 mins or so. Not a bad ratio really.

The next planned event is the Criffell Hill race on March 22nd. I am taking my car, and there are a couple of places for anyone interested. We are also planning to do the Ben Lomond Hill race on 9th May. I have three people definitely interested. You need to enter on line within the next couple of weeks or so. The next scheduled run is on 27 Mar, but I am on child care duties all weekend, so will be restricted to a local run. If anyone fancies exploring the paths/tracks around Smailholm, give me a ring(01573 460390), or leave a comment on the site.

I will send some pics from Sat as soon as I get organised.

Posted on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 at 8:41 am and is filed under News.
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