Carnethy Hill Race

In his last race before the Nationals at Falkirk, Prasad ran in the Carnethy Hill race on Saturday and finished second. First thing he did on arrival was buy his Hill Runner's Calendar but although Michael was there he didn't get him to sign it - maybe his asking price was too high!! From the start Prasad was in a group of four at the head of the field but by the second hill the four had become two with Ron Jebb leading our man whose laces had come undone about halfway round. Despite that he dropped RJ on the last climb - a lead he lost on the last descent before he tripped himself on his own laces. He was closing in at the finish but lost by 7 seconds.

Although Michael was not running he jogged round the course and the encouragement that he gave Prasad was really appreciated. I have been told in the past the the hill runners like encouragement and at one time my wife and I along with two friend went to see hill races on a random basis - it got us around the country, gave us access points for future reference and we had a race to watch at the same time. Several club runners referred to us at the time as 'part of the team.' Prasad was interviewed by television reporters after the race which will be on the BBC's Adventure Show later in the year.

Laces? They are a continuing source of accidents although they shouldn't be. I remember seeing Andy Brown's father bending down checking Andy's laces before races - and Andy was Scottish Cross Country Captain at the time. Andy continued the tradition by checking young brother Andy's shoes for important races. When I came into the sport, some runners would cut strips of old bicycle inner tube and slide them over the shoess covering the knotted laces and holding them firm. Most recently in the club championships, one of the young athletes a shoe in the mud and a couple of years ago at Helensburgh Craig Young finished in one shoe. It's a needless problem and P should have known better! Anyone related to or coaching youngsters should make sure that they have this lesson learned!