The Crags race is an annual event held as part of the Strathaven Gala Week. It’s approximately 3.4 miles long and is mainly contested by locals. I have to admit I was quite confident going into this race as I came 3rd last year and have done a lot of serious training since then for the marathon. The course is fairly undulating and starts uphill but there is plenty downhill parts towards the end as well.
As planned, I started in the leading pack. I let two runners keep going a bit ahead of me, as they seemed to be going at a fair old pace that I wasn’t prepared to copy. However the 2nd bloke must have set off a bit too quickly as it wasn’t long before I caught him and got a decent distance between us. The guy ahead of me was off like a shot and I was beginning to wonder if I would ever catch him. But I could still see him, and see him I did until the end of the race. After approximately 2.5 miles the gap began to narrow to the point that I had confidence again that maybe I did have a chance. I could see that he was struggling and I was managing to maintain my pace, if not increase it. Then we came onto Lethame Road, with about half a mile to go, and I took my chance! I knew he was struggling so I just kept going to get a bit of distance between him. He did make a valiant effort to keep in touch but before too long I sped off into the park and through to the finish line.
Photo from the Strathaven Echoes
As planned, I started in the leading pack. I let two runners keep going a bit ahead of me, as they seemed to be going at a fair old pace that I wasn’t prepared to copy. However the 2nd bloke must have set off a bit too quickly as it wasn’t long before I caught him and got a decent distance between us. The guy ahead of me was off like a shot and I was beginning to wonder if I would ever catch him. But I could still see him, and see him I did until the end of the race. After approximately 2.5 miles the gap began to narrow to the point that I had confidence again that maybe I did have a chance. I could see that he was struggling and I was managing to maintain my pace, if not increase it. Then we came onto Lethame Road, with about half a mile to go, and I took my chance! I knew he was struggling so I just kept going to get a bit of distance between him. He did make a valiant effort to keep in touch but before too long I sped off into the park and through to the finish line.
There was even a prize giving at the end where I was presented with my winner’s shield! Only disappointment was that there wasn’t a finishing line ribbon for me to breach!
Position: 1st
Time: 19:31 (PB)
You are going to need a trophy room at this rate. Good work!
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