When the race description information uses adjectives like “testing” and “undulating” you know a race will be hard and that applies to the Lasswade 10 mile road race. Winding round predominantly country roads just south of Edinburgh, the 10 mile route ranks high in degree of difficulty, featuring plenty of climbing in the first 6 miles with a particular brute of a climb at 2 miles – at which point runners pass the historic Roslin chapel made famous in the Da Vinci Code – few will be raising their eyes from the road in front at that point though. Horrible weather with wind and snow / sleat added to the challenge – although this did not put off a large field of 347 starters including two athletes from last year’s Commonwealth Games. Two of Troon’s regular racers Caroline Mutch and Anne Noble took up the challenge and both ran great times, 79’30 and 79’56 respectively.