Chapelgill Sat 20th March

The first SHR Championship race of the year, the steepest race in Scotland, 1400 feet up in 3/4 of a mile, then back down. Target was to get under 1/2 an hour, the winner would be about 20 mins, I had run the race route as part of the longer Culter Fell, a 3 hour roller coaster, in 2005. On its own Chapelgill is a bit more intense.

Nearly 180 started, stayed near the back and held a steady pace, losing concentration only for a minute or so on the way up, reached the top in just under 23 mins, sub 30 felt doubtful. Ran round the cairn and pushed off, passed a few people as the gradient increased then a couple came past which gave me the incentive to give it a go, stay relaxed and run, the last drop to the start the worst, glanced at my watch as I crossed the finish, success, 29 something.

Where have all the runners gone?

Tough wee race, enter on the day only £2, nice drive into a remote cul de sac, surrounded by hills, a crackin sunny day with a cool breeze, just in case you thought it was summer. Loads of cameras out, SHR pictures here, some more here , not quite so sure about these! Another good borders race, steeper than usual but short enough so that its over before you realise your in pain.