The Saugh Hill is the big lumpy thing that looms over sunny Girvan. According to OS maps it’s around 960 ft high with a nice flat top. Starting from sea level and a round trip of 2.75 miles, hill runners class it as AS which means short but steep.

Last year was a hoot. Virtually all of us got lost in heavy mist and this year looked as if it was going to be history repeating itself since the hill wasn’t even visible when I arrived.

Rain was falling steadily giving the lie to the tag of ‘sunny Girvan’ but after being assured by Nat that he’d put extra route markers out, I felt that I had to show willing. (Actually it was really when he told me that he wasn’t running that I really started to show willing since this opened the door for me to win the >50 category).

About 15 of us set off on what for me turned out to be a singularly unremarkable race. By the time I reached the bottom of the hill proper, the guy in front was a long way ahead and the guy behind equally distant. Things became a dreich trudge and there was no one I could even pace against. The top is (as said) flat. Visibility was also very poor, 30 foot would be around the limit in parts. However, true to his word, Nat had flagged the course perfectly and no one got lost. The descent was pretty straight forward and I did indeed come in as first over 50 (and got a very nice cup into the bargain).

It wasn’t a classic but it was one of those wee races that mean so much. They’re part of the mystique of running and always deserve to be supported. Next one up – Cairn Table on 16th so get it into your diary!