The 1st April saw 31 foolish but excited Shetts taking to the start line of the opening race of the 2023 SHR championships at Birnam. Following a successful ‘training’ weekend in Crianlarich a few weeks before, everyone was keen to put the long winter months behind them and test out their hard earned fitness. Being one of two short races in the SHR championships, it was also a perfect opportunity for a number of members to try out their first hill race and catch the racing bug for the rest of the season.
The 6km course featured a steep (but runnable for the strong) climb straight off the line, easing off at the top before a fast descent and finishing with a seemingly endless and undulating run home. As wisely advised by a certain Shettleston hill running elder, it would be important not to go too deep on the first climb…
With a large field, the races were split into a womens and mens race, making for a great championship atmosphere. The women set off first and strong climbing performances from Zoë Barber and CJ Macphail put them firmly in the hunt for the top placings, both managed to back it up in the second half of the race to earn themselves an 8th and 10th place. It was a runaway performance from winner Holly Paige (Carnethy) who finished 90 seconds ahead of her teammate Sarah Hodgson. In 3rd place was Catriona Macdonald (Bellahouston roadrunners). Congratulations on strong runs also from Myrtle Breckenridge (34th), Bryony Mcleod (35th) and Susan Breckenridge (4th V55).
In the men’s race, Sasha Chepelin (Carnethy) put in a very impressive run to win in 27.56, breaking Andy Douglas’ course record and beating clubmate Kerian Cooper by over a minute, with Jacob Adkin (Moorfoot) in 3rd place. The first cohort of Shetts came in 8th, 9th and 10th place with a three up sprint to the line between Dan Dry, Robert Simpson and Harry Pulham. There were many other strong Shettleston performances, including Tom Owens (13th overall and 1st V40), Jethro Lennox (4th V40), Kenny Richmond (1st V50) and John Connaghan (3rd V50). The men also came second in the team event behind Carnethy.
Finally, a special mention to our two most junior hill runners of the weekend, Rowan Lennox and Ailsa Symonds, who came a brilliant 4th and 10th in the junior race.
The long winter has seen fantastic numbers turning up to weekly training sessions, which has contributed to an excellent team atmosphere that clearly carried through to this first championship race of the season. It was encouraging to see so many blue and gold vests out on course and congratulations to all those competing in their first hill/championship race. Keep the faith, keep working hard and let’s keep it going for the rest of the season!
Next championship race is our very own Goatfell… See you there.
Full race results can be found here: https://protay.co.uk/birnam-23/index.php#0_02447F
Many thanks to Dan Dry for the race report
