Penicuik Harriers hit the heights in mountain running championships
Although small in terms of membership, Midlothian’s Penicuik Harriers endurance running club continue to punch above their weight.
While the Scottish National Football team might not have risen to expectations, Penicuik’s Des Crowe and Duncan Ball flew the Harriers flag with pride on the world stage at last weekends “World Masters Mountain Running Championships” in Janské Lázně, Czechia.
The World Masters Championships are held over three days and incorporate 5-year “Masters” age banded categories, (35-39) through to (75-79), for both men and women. The weekend kicked off on Friday 26th June with the “Uphill Race” followed on Saturday by the “Lond Distance Race” and closing with the “Up & Downhill Race” on Sunday.
Representing “Great Britian”, Crowe and Ball wisely confined themselves to two events, the “Uphill Race” on Friday and the closing “Classic Up/Downhill Race” on Sunday.
Toeing the line for the 1:30pm start of the Friday M55-M75 “Uphill Race” the pair faced not only the gruelling challenge of the near constant uphill “Munro” scale climb (7.79km and 851m total climb) to the top of Černá hora Mountain (1,260 metres altitude), but also the weather, which was described as “mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies and light manageable winds”, but with temperatures peaking at around 23°C to 28°C, a serious challenge indeed.
However, the intrepid pair met the challenge and were rewarded with Crowe taking third M65 and individual bronze medal in 56m41s. Ball finished second M65 Britain in 1hr01m02s with fellow Scot Don Reid (Westerlands AC) completing the M65 “British” team trio to take Team bronze medals.
Following a day’s rest and recovery from their Friday exploits, the pair again toed the line on Sunday for the earlier 09.30am start "Classic Up & Downhill" race (8.95km and 594m Elevation gain) over the Krkonoše Mountain trails featuring a mix of forested areas and technical descents. With temperatures notably higher than on previous days, race management, hydration and pacing were to prove crucial.
Again, the Penicuik Harriers pair met the challenge and improved on their Friday achievements, with Crowe taking second M65 and individual silver medal in 50m56s (only 4s off gold) and Ball finished second M65 Britain in 54m27s, with fellow Scot Don Reid (Westerlands AC) completing the M65 “British” team to take Team silver medals.
A couple of days off now (maybe) then they’ll be back on the Scottish Hill Running circuit.