On a dull, dreich day as part of Scottish Hill Runner’s ‘Bog & Burn’ championship series, this year’s Kaim Hill Race took place (what a starting sentence!).

Unfortunately, only two TTs made the short journey up to picturesque little Fairlie with its delightful drive in past the charming Hunterston play park for hot people. I was joined by Ian McNee along with a smattering from the other Ayrshire clubs. There were the usual suspects: Big Roddy, Girvan Ian, Lightfoot Begley, Arran Paul and of course, Tartan Ian just returned from his successful TV appearance at the Carnethy 5. Another notable mention was one time TT, Stevie C, resplendent in road shoes and white compression socks (there’s got to be one – sorry Stevie ).

As we were waiting on the race to start most of us were busy with our excuses as to why we wouldn’t run well. Unfortunately, at the end of the race the only one who could justifiably have been apprehensive, probably performed best ie Stevie. The rest of us easily managed a PW .

Conditions were pretty good for Kaim and the course marking was better than previous years. Consequently, I managed to the top without disappearing into any of the myriad bogs, hidden water courses or entrances to the netherworld. Ian, Roddy and I traded places a few times on the way up so, from my point of view, job just about done – I’d slaughter them on the way down!!

The best laid plans and all that. I started back down the hill with Ian breathing heavily behind. We continued to trade places till we got to the difficult heather descent. At this point my coordination, will to live and normal kamikaze outlook (if that’s not a contradiction) seemed to disappear. Ian passed and left me . Even Roddy caught me. I think that spurred me on and I upped my pace to start catching and overtaking others. However, at the bottom of the hill and the start of the track I was nowhere near Ian although I’d managed to open a gap with Roddy.

Unlike some previous years, the final descent and run in were neither hard nor painful, just dispiriting. At the finish, a lot of folk were commenting that the descent was tough so I reckon that the conditions must simply have preferred the long legs of Ian and Roddy to my wee short ones .

The race winner was Lloyd Taggart of Dark Peak Fell Runners who only entered following a couple of texts from me (He’d taken a TT 10K entry to J.McK’s house and John had told him about the race and asked me to contact him). He was an easy winner in a large field. First Ayrshire runner was Nicky from Arran (winner of last year’s Ayrshire Hill Running Champs) and Ian McM got the over 60 prize (see what you missed John).

All in all, it was an enjoyable evening and the tea & bikkies were as usual, abundant. Prize giving took forever so I think Findlay needs to up his Excel skills before the next round of the Ayrshire Champs. I also managed to purloin a pretty good T shirt that I might actually wear – very impressed.

Next up for me will be Ben Lomond closely followed by Goatfell – ah….. wonderful