Sunday, Apr 16 2000

32 Miles undulating trails, disused railway line and roadft Category ?

Starts at 11:00:00

Pre-Entries required by Pre-entry by ?

From Ballandalloch Railway Station, Speyside.

 Men's Record is 2:59:18 set by S Pryde in 1997.

 Women's Record is 03:44:42 set by H Diamantides in 1997

  Contact details are D Ritchie,
The Lodge, Stottfield Road, Lossiemouth, Moray,
,
Tel 01343-813398

  The Organisers says - : THE SPEYSIDE WAY RELAY DISASTER (With apologies to William McGonagall) Beautiful stage-race along the river Spey Dreamt up by Ewen Rennie for a fine relay Though first held in 1998, not 1879 Surely to be remembered for a very long time? Westies thought twelve brave souls it could count on And drove up to redness at picturesque Grantown A more suitable bunk-house you'll rarely find But only ten of us made it - oh dear, never mind. About seven o'clock on Friday night Snow started to fall - at first, rather light, But then heavier such that come the next morn We looked out on whiteness - our hopes were forlorn. But a slow convey did slither its way On snow-covered roads to reach wind-swept Spey Bay Where, smugly, Cosmics made ready. To their dismay Here were three Westies teams to enter the fray! Mark, Jen and vet Pete set off on leg one Chilled to the marrow, despite the bright sun, Along tracks and steep roads, treach'rous and iced, Supported by Saab, as with death Elsie diced. At Boat o'Brig, after ten miles of 'neige' A fine railway bridge marked the end of the stage (Ah! "Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silv'ry Spey...." - But there's already a poem written that way). Manny hared off on leg two, with Cosmics behind. Mairi our next woman - we must get her signed! Keith, for the vets, gave a very good chase; Stirling efforts by him improved on their place. This part of The Way passes lots of distilleries Tempting wee drams - but bad for your capillaries. Thus George started leg three feeling less than frisky Not helped by that overwhelming odour of whisky. Jane and Jim kept the other teams going. As, for support cars, much to-ing and fro-ing; Carefully, up and down each snowy incline While for runners below, a flat railway line. As no other Westie from his armchair would budge, For leg four we drafted in Angela Mudge. The vets also 'conscripted' - another team fudge - But all, with 'oor oon' Elsie for the wimmin, off into the snow did trudge. From Bridge of Avon, the next legs were double; Over the hills, where pairs risked less trouble. Cosmics were winning, George and Manny chasing hard As Mairi, Jane, Pete and Keith - over and down to Glenlivet yard. Then the last leg, a snow plod to high Tomintoul. Chasing dusk first: Mark and Ang - no time to fool. Champions both, and my can she run- Mark pushed as hard as he was on leg one. Soon after came Jim, Keith (again!), Elsie and Jen From the gath'ring gloom to the finish. The end! All had given all - none could be keener - So all to the pub, for a nice, hot Ribena. Like McGonagall, I must now conclude my lay. But as you've heard, there was no disaster that day. Rather three triumphs, told her in dubious rhyme That will be remembered for a very long time. M.R. Footnote - Cosmic 'A' Team finished first some four minutes inside the inaugural record set by Livingston in 1990.,

Grid refs Registration at NJ168366