2011 RACE REPORT
The Gods of weather were looking over the 2nd running of the Speyside Way 36.5 mile Ultra Marathon on Saturday 27th August. The forecast had looked terrible with storms, thunder and lightening and severe weather warnings threatening the event. Conditions however turned out to be perfect, overcast with a cooling breeze and only a couple of short rain showers to keep runners cool. The last four miles along the front in Buckie proved easier with a tail wind to help push them to home.
The penultimate race in the S.U.M.S. series kicked off at the old railway station in Ballindalloch with 95 runners being sent on their journey by a lone piper. This flat off road section had dried out from the previous rains which proved for easier traction underfood and meant that everybody arriving at the first checkpoint in Craigellachie (12.5 miles) looked fresh and happy. This point signalled the beginning of a tough climb up to and around Ben Aigen at 407m. Runners were however rewarded with stunning views through the felled trees 15 miles across the Spey Valley - if they were able to lift their heads up to see it! A muddy downhill section lead to the beginning of a long and winding run on road with some sticky hairpin bends to contend with. However, at the top of the second set was the next checkpoint where marshals had runner's bags open for them and jellybeans on offer to restore lagging energies.
Runners then had a pleasant downhill section and back off road all the way to Spey Bay. Did anybody notice the marshal at the end of the off-road section into Spey Bay? It was none other than our very own "Pride of Scotland" Simon Pride, 4 times Scottish Marathon Champion and 100km world champion. He also holds the record for the fastest time and most winds on the orginal Neways Speyside Way 50k which finished outside the old Spey Bay Hotel (where your campervan marshals were with more jellybeans!)
Another meandering off road section through the woods saw our runners enter into Portgordon for the final 2.5 mile sprint for home. Easy. Except we put the finish round the corner on the top of a hill. We had a few complaints about that! First home was Matt Williamson in a time of 4:23:07. Matt smiled all the way around the course. Or certainly every time I saw him! Second home was current S.U.M.S. points leader Paul Giblin in a time of 4:29:01 and hot on his heels with only 16 seconds between them was Lucy Colquhoun. Third male and fourth overall was newcomer Terry Forrest who was running his first ultra and started right at the back of the field but worked his way steadily over the course to run a blinding 4:43:43.
Prize winners in each of our age categories were:
1st Male Matt Williamson (and 1st male overall)
1st Male V Mark Caldwell
1st 50+MSV Bill Hutchison
1st 60+MSV Iain Thomson
1st Female Caroline McKay
1st Female V Lucy Colquhoun (and 1st female, 3rd overall)
1st 45+FSV Patricia Dick
1st 55+FSV Norma Bone