Deerstalker and Alloa 1/2 Marathon
March 23rd, 2009Four Gala Harriers donned their deerstalkers on Saturday for what must surely be one of the most gruelling and maddest 5K races around.
Traquair House is the venue for two races, a daytime 3 miler and a night time 6 miler which include a river crossing, a tough hill climb, army style exercises en route and a waist deep wade through a waterlogged tunnel – the Deerstalker and the Mighty Deerstalker.
Over the shorter distance, Andrea and Graeme Pogson chose to do it in kilts and Andrea’s very short version was easily the most sensible option as Graeme’s sodden mid-calf length one must have weighed him down considerably in the latter stages. Graham Capper beat them both home in his slightly sleeker Scottish kit – but all thoroughly enjoyed this very different local race. Also completing the arduous course in good shape was Matthew Purves.
Graeme Pogson has really been mixing it up recently with last weekend’s Glasgow to Edinburgh Double Marathon – 52 miles in ten and a half hours is a really amazing feat and to pull on his kilt and cover the 5 kilometre assault course only a week later is nothing short of superman quality.
Slightly more traditional was the Alloa half marathon on Sunday where 3 Harriers all recorded their personal bests across a course that has the worst hills in the latter stages in any race throughout Scotland.
Derrick Brydon surpassed his PB time by a considerable margin to finish in 1 hour 26 minutes and 43 seconds, with Rachel Fagan not far behind in 1.27.21 and Gillian Duncan in 1.33.40
Next weekend sees Alice Haining represent her country in the Home Counties International Cross Country in Wales.
Andrea Pogson Says:
Hi Rosie
I just thought I would let you know that both Graham Capper and I were 1st in the male and female “Old Stag” categories coming in 17th and 23rd respectively. I think my Graham will be cross dressing from now on as he thoroughly enjoyed the sensation of a wet skirt round his legs!!
More importantly Pauline Ballantyne heroically completed the Mighty Deerstalker 10k Race in 2hours 30mins.
This was definitely the best race ever and I will return next year for the 10k myself.
Many thanks for your support on the way round
Andrea
rosi capper Says:
Well done you ol’ stags! And apparently it was way over the 5k distance! Have made the amendments so hopefully the papers will carry them on Thursday(and the correct spelling of Graham P’s name!) Rosi