Taynish Run 2019

By Ewan Smith

The Taynish Run Festival has a lot going for it; it's a scenic location;it's for a good cause, the cakes are great and Biscuits usually manages to arrange good weather too. There is always a good representation from CRC and this year was no exception with Jimmy Anderson, James Murdoch,Neil John MacPhail, Daren Renton and myself all heading north.

Iain MacGougan's name was also on the start list though he failed to appear;it's not clear if he was saving his strength for the bike next day ( asis wise when you're getting on a bit) or if Ruth had told him he couldn't go out to play because he hadn't done his chores.

For those who have not done this before there are 2 races; a trail race for the adventurous which Jimmy and James had opted for with the rest of us opting for the 10k road race, which though scenic is also quite challenging. Both races start together before the trail race disappears into some very steep looking bushes and hopefully James or Jimmy will write a separate report on that as while it sounds very picturesque and will appeal to many, I have no intention of finding out for myself.

Ever.

I found myself running alongside Mid Argyll tri's Stephen Whiston and I decided I would stick with him for as long as I could, as he is a much better and more experienced runner. This had several advantages; I have a habit of going off as Tommy Morran would say "like a sh**e off a shovel" whereas Stephen generally appears behind me a few K in (sometimes with his dog in tow), shouts a few encouraging words and disappears into the distance. I also knew I hadn't been running well lately, expectations were low and trying to stick with Stephen for a bit would give me some indication of where I was at in advance of the Helensburgh 10K which was on the following Thursday.

Stephen headed up the hill at a more sensible pace than I would have done if left to my own devices but I resisted temptation and stayed 2 paces behind - not least because I was very unsure how long it would be until I fell behind. Soon we were at the top of the hill, the trail runners peeled off and Stephen began to up increase the gap as we went downhill. Meanwhile I swallowed a fly; perhaps I'll die. However, as the ground flattened out I began to narrow the gap again. At the 2K mark there was a wee dogleg, included to make up the distance and at that point I saw that Daren was close behind me to the point where I actually though that he might pass me before the end of the race.

And so we proceeded to the turning point with Stephen doing just enough to keep ahead. I had begun to see though that there was a pattern and that while he pulled ahead on the downhill I always managed to close it again on the flat or the uphill. I wasn't sure what to make of it; I usually find myself running alone behind the pack at races as I'm never fast enough to keep up with the big boys (a bit like training on a Tuesday) and I was well aware that Stephen was probably playing with me and had plenty in reserve.

We reached the turn and I felt much better than expected and while Stephen had increased the gap, the gap with those behind was also greater than it had been. I stuck in and gradually the gap narrowed and I was right behind Stephen again and I decided that if I could pass him on the last hill I would. I didn't expect it to last and I had also decided that I was more concerned about not blowing Helensburgh than indulging in pointless heroics as I knew Stephen would almost certainly pass me on the downhill back into Tayvallich. And so I pulled out to pass him but the lead was short lasting; its not a busy road but a car had appeared behind us and we both agreed we would stop to let it past but when it went, I was bust and Stephen retook the lead and disappeared downhill to the finish at blistering pace.

I finished in 41.9 , 7 seconds behind Stephen. But to be honest I think if I had been 8 seconds quicker, then so would he. Darren came in 3rd at 44.46 with Neil John on 52.04. There were strong performances in the trail run too with a very convincing win for big James with a time of 53.10, notwithstanding his protestations that the was saving himself for Glen Affric. Jimmy Anderson also had an excellent run finishing in 61.48. I can however report that I was first runner to reach the cake table.