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This must be one of the most scenic races, and one run over the most
unusual distance (it is in fact a 6.9 mile race rather a 13.14k race, but the
symbolism of the 1314 I am sure is not lost on readers). Starting a little
way from St Modan’s High School, the race is a series of climbs and a
few descents around the quiet rural landscapes of the Bannockburn area. Most is on road in a
series of loops, but there is a 1.5mile stretch on tracks which wend their
way parallel to the famous Burn.
As a Scottish Veteran Harriers Club event is had always
attracted only a small field of dedicated runners and this year was no
exception. 13 starters (and finishers!) made the most of the ideal sunny
conditions to improve the suntan as well as get all the leg and body muscles
working hard.
Robert Soutar (Shettleston) led from the start and for the first
few miles was only a few hundred yards ahead of Kirkintilloch’s Robert
Rogerson, with a large gap emerging from the rest of the field. Soutar,
last year’s winner of the race, kept a very steady pace of 6 min miles
throughout and was within 3 secs of his winning time of 2005. He crossed the
line at the Robert Burns monument in 40.05 mins. Robert Rogerson was 2 mins
behind in second place (and first vet 45), and Jim MacMillan (Kilbarchan) was
third in 48mins.
All four Olympians were well placed, with Tom McChord coming
fourth overall, ahead of Marie McChord who took first female place ahead of
Ada Stewart, second female.
With the imminent re-building of St Modan’s school this
race may not exist on the race calendar next year. This will be a shame, for
despite the challenging nature of the course, the 1314k offers spectacular
views of an area rich in Scottish history.
(PS For those who have forgotten their Scottish history, the Battle of Bannockburn
was in 1314.)
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