Ian Campbell of HBT came up with this
gem of an idea. In memory of his dad and to raise some funds for, and
awareness of, Prostate Cancer he would, over the course of 3 days,
climb Allermuir in the Pentlands 29 times making an Everest of
ascent. Thursday evening was a race, which we couldn't make. We
followed Friday and Saturday on facebook as the team of supporters
grew in numbers, and joined in today for the last 3 climbs.
We had gone along not sure what we
would find and where exactly it was all based. Swanston car park,
near the village of immaculately thatched cottages down off Oxgangs
Road was the answer and just as we arrived so did the team coming
down from the 26th ascent. A couple of minutes to regroup
and we were off up the pleasant steep path directly up the mile-plus
steady climb to the trig point.
Old friends and new, there was much
chatting and laughing. With a small group of like-minded runners
there is no shortage of conversation from racing to shoe choice. And
Bruce came up the hill on one of his bikes. There was a lovely
crossover of pals and acquaintances. Bruce we know from fat biking on
the East Lothian beaches and he is Ian's brother-in-law hence his
presence here. It was unusual to see him away from his natural
habitat (the coast) and amongst runners not bikers. I realised I am
also more used to seeing him in a bike helmet than out! We must
organise some bike/run crossover adventures.
Maggie I bumped into at the end of last
year while flouring the Leith Half course and although we had been on
nodding terms we stopped long enough to talk, finding lots of common
ground from arts to hearts, cycling and climbing.
Craig, Kate and Jess are ubiquitous and
yet there was a time when Craig was just another fellow competitor at
the Everest Marathon (2007) – appropriate for today and he was saying he
should have brought along one of the ceremonial scarves picked up on
that trip. Mary had exactly that thought but we forgot to look it out
before leaving. We did however take the authentic Nepal cowbell from
that trip and just about managed to make it heard on the final climb
over the roar of the wind.
I took the camera and shot movies and
stills. The wind overpowers any soundtrack but if I have time I might
put it all together into a video. Meanwhile Bruce has been busy doing
exactly that and has already posted his video.
Lots of chat about Stuc and the Fling
and London Marathon and of races to come. Talking of which in a rash
moment I signed up for the Tour of Fife this morning. Mary is not
going so either I will find a way to travel myself or hitch a lift
with someone travelling over. I couldn't just watch it sell out and
not jump aboard. Whether I get there or not we shall see!
Bruce's film here
Ian's fundraising page (you can donate) here
Mary's blog here
A great weekend Peter!, Ian is a legend what he accomplished, were all very proud of him..
ReplyDeleteGreat bunch of people who turned up ro support over the 3 days.
See you on the coast again soon!
Bruce