Birnam Hill Classic
Race Date: 29 March 2025
For the first 2025 Championship race 13 Harriers made the trip to Birnam for the Birnam Hill Classic, part of Adrian Davis’s Highland Boundary series. The race is a short sharp blast up Birnam Hill from the centre of Birnam with a pell-mell descent at the back of Rohallion Castle before a final sprint beside the railway back to Birnam.
Harrison Cunnah was first Harrier home in a very good 34.13 for 7th position overall, and Ali Cunningham first woman Harrier in 47.55, for 1st FV60. Other podium positions were won by Monica Thomson (1st FV40), Rachel Gallagher (3rd FV50) and Iain Thomson (1st FV70+).
Monica reports:
Weather was perfect for the impending sweaty and relentless hill climb, a few bogs (Mike lost a shoe) and damp bits. The downhill was very runnable (the uphill, not!).
Extra random prizes unique to the race organiser, Adrian, were two tents won by Rachel and Nick for advanced knowledge of Oak trees.
Full Harriers results:
|
|
Overall position |
Category position |
Chip time |
Finish |
|
Harrison Cunnah |
14 |
M (7th) |
34:11 |
34:13 |
|
Nick Gough |
19 |
M40 (6th) |
36:00 |
36:04 |
|
Calum McBean |
21 |
U20M (6th) |
36:35 |
36:40 |
|
Thomas Silkstone |
22 |
M (9th) |
37:04 |
37:07 |
|
Dave Dowse |
40 |
M40 (12th) |
39:31 |
39:36 |
|
Mike Thomson |
67 |
M50 (6th) |
44:27 |
44:35 |
|
Ross McNaughton |
78 |
M40 (17th) |
47:21 |
47:30 |
|
Alison Cunningham |
81 |
F60 (1st) |
47:55 |
48:03 |
|
Monica Thomson |
86 |
F40 (1st) |
49:26 |
49:34 |
|
Fiona Paterson |
87 |
F (14th) |
49:25 |
49:37 |
|
Rachel Gallagher |
88 |
F50 (3rd) |
49:43 |
49:50 |
|
Gill Dowse |
108 |
F40 (7th) |
56:41 |
56:52 |
|
Iain Thomson |
111 |
M70+ (1st) |
1:00:56 |
1:01:07 |
The race was won by Ryad Chebbout of Shettleston Harriers in 29.59, and the women’s race was won by Emily Atkinson of Haddington Running Club in 36.26. There were 114 finishers.