Lewis Burn Run – RESULTS

For the first time in the Shadowlands Winter Trail Series the weather was something typical for this time of year.  Standing in the car park before marking the course the wind was whipping over the reservoir and causing the ripples to foam up slightly.  The clouds hugged the hillsides and there was a mist floating about that sporadically turned into rain.  The Lewis Burn Run was all set to be a fast one with an 11km distance and just over 240m of ascent.  The course didn’t take too long to mark out and with a few hours to spare (makes a nice change) there was plenty of time to get the registration area sorted.  With one person getting there early the rest of the runners turned up as game time got nearer.  A quick sign on with Joanne and Yvonne and soon enough Adrian was giving his chat and setting people off into the night.

The Lakeside Way had been thoughtfully resurfaced which meant the first 600 metres of the race gave plenty of time and space for the race to spread out.  In short order runners met up with Nic who pointed everyone into the actual Lewis Burn mountain bike trail that is a long and twisting ramble alongside the rider before eventually spitting people out onto a forest track.  Concentration levels could relax with a stretch of smooth surface but that was about to change with the nasty steep switchbacks known as Simons Tester.  I had the joy of standing at the top of here, the furthest and highest point on the course, and I was very impressed with the way the leaders blazed through.  Pretty much every runner managed to clear this touch climb and there was a lot of cheering to know that a big descent was to follow.

The long descent is really in two halves with the first 50% being slightly rough and requiring a bit more attention to where feet are placed.  The second smoother and allowing long and fast strides.  Keith awaited runners to turn them down a little shoot and back onto the Lakeside Way.  This was a minor change to the gpx but removed any chance for people to take any kind of short cut.  Runners then completed the circular by arriving at the start of the Lewis Burn mtb trail where Nic awaited people for the second time and sent them directly back towards the finish.  From here is was all about speed on that smooth surface and heart rates were pushed to the max before getting back and having that number punched in to the timing system and being rewarded with a hot chocolate and some post race craic.  A good night of fast racing with attention turning to the Lonesome Pine Run next week.

FEMALE OVERALL

Rachel Malthouse continues to dominate with her 4th win out of 4 but at the half way point Claire Fairbairn was right on her tail.  Good to see Laura Braunholtz back on the scene to grab third.

FV40

Claire Fairbairn was quick and nearly challenged for the overall.  Emma Leigh keeps picking up big points by taking second and Helen Clark likewise in third.

MALE OVERALL

The back and forth battle between Graham Malthouse and Andrew Armin continues and this time Graham edges things with Andrew following home a minute behind.  Andrew Dancer strikes again as he’s been in the top 3 in every single race so far.

MV40

Double titles for Graham as he’s now a year older and sneaks into the MV40 category on the day.  Andrew Dancer cements his reputation as a solid performer in second and Gavan Francis quietly goes about picking up points in third.

MV50

Spencer Booth, the man the legend, strikes again to take top spot.  He was closely followed by Jonathan Gaskell in second.

MV60

Tony Brown was worried about a fellow MV60 being in the race but worry not, top spot was secured with a gritty effort.  Dudley Roberts came home three minutes later for second.