Yellow is the new black

Course marking on Saturday was windy! We left Stranraer and headed south towards the start in Sandhead. Signage was strapped in with a wee wing and a prayer that it would last to the race start!

The beach at Luce Bay was stunning, the sun shone, we met our tail runner and we got pebble dashed!

Streams of sand slivered over the beach round and about us. Beautiful!

And some hilarity with a blow away coffee cup….that went on longer than the video. The cup was successfully retrieved.

Race team

We’re so lucky at Acorn Trails to have some very dedicated volunteers who followed us down from further north! Some were friends before Acorn, some have become friends from Acorn. Another amazing benefit from organising great events.

Saturday evening was therefore a wee time to kick back and relax before the big day. Awesome food, good drink and cheer was had in the Tigh Na Mara in Sandhead. Hard work done for the day, the race team could relax ready for Sunday.

Race day

A strange one always, packing runners onto a bus and sending them away, then having a long wait for them to reappear hoping everything that was done the day before was adequate! Did those arrows survive the wind?

Down in Sandhead, Michelle climbed to the table top to give her final words of instruction and encouragement before pressing the “GO” button on the new timing software! Maybe half a second after shouting “GO” – it is new!

And off they went. The biggest field ever in the Sandhead10 or it’s predecessor as the “…and 10 Miler”, 70 runners heading for the sands, led down by the front runners to the firmer wet sands near the surf.

The route

An amazing multi terrain route that offers so many different terrains. It’s hard to find a groove to slot into. Shoe choice is interesting, what’s right on one part could be easily be very wrong at others.

The route was suitable summed up by one participant on Strava…

This amazing video of the day captures the route so we’ll, and showcases the friendliness of the runners, volunteers and event. Thanks Hubi from Galloway Harriers AAC for the videography.

Finishing

Cairn Hurst (Galloway Harriers) eased over the finish line looking far too comfortable, taking first place in an Acorn Trails course record of 1.05.45 (“…and 10 Miler” course record stands at 1.03, but the previous route was a wee bit short of 10miles).

Regular Acorn runner down from Glasgow, Paul Foster (Westerlands CCC), took to the pier to cross the line in 1.10.15

The podium completed by local Rhins Runner, Steven Gould in 1.13.31. A V60 runner too quick for the V60 prize! Some achievement and performance.

Fellow Glasgow based Westie, Jenny Peebles, took first female in 1.20.11 (8th overall), holding of the competition with Rhins Runner, Vicki Greenall finishing 9th overall and 2nd female in 1.21.09.

Third place female, Emmanuelle Prieu (Kirkcudbright Running Club) surprised herself with an excellent run taking the pier line in 1.25.07.

Podiums received their goody bags, and prizes from Migo Sports (1st £50, 2nd £25, 3rd £15) and a block of mature dairy delight from the local Galloway Cheddar.

Age Category Prizes

Age category prizes were awarded to the first finisher in each contested category, consisting of their goody bag plus £15 Migo Sports voucher and Galloway Cheese.

A minor runner error led to the F60 prize mis-awarded. Accordingly this was awarded to the 2nd place finisher. We’re very happy for her to retain her prizes, she worked very hard to achieve them, and deserves our admiration and apologies.

M40 James Bonner
F40  Monika Singh

M50 David Gladstone
F50 Emma Kerry

M60 Keith Ainslie
F60 Joan Stephens/ Lorraine Gill

M70 Brian Howie

Congratulations to you all.

Full results……

Race stats

78 signups
8 DNS
70 starters
1 DNF

27 Males
43 Female

8/15 V40 M/F
5/15 V50 M/F
6/4 V60 M/F
3/0 V70 M/F

I am sure there are not many trail races with a contested V70 category! Amazing running from all three gentlemen.

We also had great support from local clubs/groups with Rhins Runners having 21 on the start line! A total of 18 clubs/groups were represented on the route.

Volunteers

Amazing thanks to our team of hi Viz heroes, both local and those that joined us from Glasgow. Without your support and help this event couldn’t go ahead.

Cha Harris, Callum Wallace, Stephen Gilligan, Paul Fletcher, Ruth Harrison , Paulius Peculiar, Lynda Nicholson, Claire Taylor, John Mowatt, Georgia Walker, Lesley Martin, Nim Singh, Nathaniel and Sam

Next year

Sandhead 10 will take place on Sunday 14th September. Entries will open soon.

We hope to return the full Mull of Galloway Trail Marathon to the calendar on the same date as well. We’ll be working closely with local partners over the coming months to ensure that the Trail is suitable. Watch this space!

Next up

We have the Duncan Macfarlane Race on Sunday October 27th. Sign up here