Donkey Brae 7 Mile Race, Aberdour, Fife. Sunday 2 August 2009

Gordon, fiirst ERN to finish, storming home and the post-race picnic and BBQ at Silver Sands.

This is an ERN Summer Series qualifying event and one of ERN's favourite races. As is usual (and apparently for the 17th year in a row!) we were blessed with good sunny weather, if a tad windy. 17 ERNs in total ran with Jo Forbes, Jo Parry and Phil coming to support along with a number of partners.

A scenic, humply, run out through Aberdour to Dalgety Bay and back; down to the shore and fields, out and back on a variety of cycle-tracks, park roads and streets before the climb up the infamous Donkey-Brae (not as bad as you think) to finish at the festival/farmers market and marquee where a good crowd welcomed all home. Great to see Gordon Purves back running after being out for such a long and frustrating time with injury; he fairly blasted round the course in 51 minutes!

NAME	POSITION (271)	CATEGORY	CATEGORY POSITION	CHIP TIME
GORDON PURVES	73	MSV	15	00:51:30
ALAN REID	93	M	30	00:53:06
MURDO MACLEOD	97	MV	38	00:53:27
GORDON FAULKNER	158	MV	51	00:59:04*
TRACY PATERSON	169	FV	18	00:59:37
GEORGE MAXWELL	177	MSV	42	01:00:21
FIONA MELVIN	184	F	10	01:00:52
AICHA REID	208	F	14	01:02:56
GILLIAN GRANT	219	FSV	11	01:04:56
FIONA MACKENZIE	220	FV	25	01:05:17
BRENDAN BRODIE	221	MV	63	01:05:17
GIULIANO BRACCATO	225	MV	65	01:05:45
CHARLIE FRANCIS	237	MSV	52	01:07:33
ELEANOR MACKENZIE	250	FV	31	01:09:46
ELEANOR BARNARD	263	FV	37	01:14:47
KRISTA BLACK	265	F	19	01:14:56
GENI SMYTH	268	FV	39	01:17:20
HEATHER JONES	269	FV	40	01:19:39

* Gordon wasn't chipped as he started late and his time is based on those that finished with him although it's probably a lot faster!

After the race, we moved down near the beach and had our annual BBQ (many thanks to Jo and Andy for all their hard work) where we met up with Fi and Brendan’s Jog Scotland crowd for a post-race scoff and blether. Well done to all that took part, to those that supported and also thanks to Aberdour Festival (celebrating their 26th Anniversary) for a great event. See you next year.

Heather said: "My first ever 7 mile race. Sometimes it's nice to do a non-standard distance.

This was the 26th annual running of the Donkey Brae race along the Fife coastline from the small village of Aberdour, towards Dalgety Bay. The course was almost entirely off-road, starting in a local field, then through some woods and down some trail steps to the beach. A run along the promenade, then cutting up to a cycle/walking path alongside the Aberdour Golf Course. This was a gorgeous out and back big loop course, with spectacular views across the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh's skyline. The sun shone, and the race marshalls did their bit, handing out water and shouting words of encourgament. The return leg was along a cycle path (part of the national cycle network) and the Fife coastal path route, past a slew of houses with spectacular picture window views across the sea. There was a final twist with a drop back down to the beach then up the steps and the Donkey Brae climb to the finish.

I ran it slow and steady, as usual, still not quite in 'race ready' condition, and posted a finishing time of 1.19.44, so was pleased to break 1.20. I thought I'd get the accolade of last again, but lo! there were a few more stragglers came in a wee while later. It was a great day for a run; a great race; and a lifetime personal best for a 7 mile race. Roll on next year, and the chance to go a bit quicker".