15th February 1999.
The Calendar for the 1999 season has been published in it's paper format and I have largely reproduced the details on this site. Having sifted through the list a number of times there are a few things that I noticed. The first is that I'm not really confident about the gritty detail so please do call or write to the organiser of a race before you travel.
Perhaps a really promising pointer for the future is that one of the records on the calendar, the womens record for Black Meldon was broken last year by a 12 year old. Marbeth Sheil's performance was also stunning at the Scottish Selection race where I believe that she beat every woman under 18 but was too young to go to the International.
Since the last time I did a digital calendar the number of races on the Calendar has increased by including the many races that are run by the Scottish Games Association. I guess that this recognises the increasing and healthy cross over between what used to be the Amateur and Professional circuits which is a Good Thing. There appear to be no ladies records for a number of these races.... why is that then?
There have been a few disappearances of races with a long history, say farewell then to Durisdeer, Cairngorm, Glenshee Chairlift Challenge, Four tops and Moffat Chase.
The Durideer was over some of the most Heroic scenery in Scotland with a whole load of interesting little folds and twists around the Dalveen pass. It also had a very challenging last climb where the route choices were mentally tough... sadly it was best to climb all the way to the top.
The Four Tops in Lochaber was a hard race organised by the late Eddie Campbell and it has gone with him although there are rumours that it may be restarted this year, perhaps a less contrived race like the entire Mamore ridge would be a better option.
Moffat Chase was a bit of a belter with one of the biggest sharpest descent and re-ascents around and the old course is still there for anyone who fancies trying a 19 mile monster. Give me a call and we could do it together.
From a statistics point of view the oldest records for men go back 15 years to Scolty, Ben Lomond, Half Ben and Meall An T. I'm not sure why these but the names of Fraser Clyne, Colin Donnely, John Wilde and Kenny Stuart are an obvious explanation. Certainly the surface on the Ben and Ben Lomond has deteriorated since the days of well made YOP paths. The Mens records are more widly distributed than the womens with Rigby on 8, Brooks 5, Wilkinson 4, and Dymoke and Stuart on 3. Kenny Stuart's are all the more impressive for being old and "Blue Ribband". The Ben , Meall An T and Eildon have all been well contested since then.
The women's records still standing go back to 1980 when Ros Coates won the Cow Hill, but the major races mainly have records set by Trish Calder (HBT), Helene Diamantides and Angela Mudge (both of lesser clubs). The scores in records is Mudge 15, Calder 11, Diamantides 8. The greater age of Trish Calders is impressive. Lets see what happens this year.
All of these are subject to people letting me know which records are wrong or broken this year.
There you go then. The calendar is only fun for a naturally disorganised git like like me because most of the names are powerfully evocative so that even on a cold February day I can feel the sweaty heat of the forest at the foot of Ben Tee or the breeze on the Cullin ridge after Glamaig. I'm also reminded of the many friendly people that I meet for six months of the year. I intend having a whole load of fun again this year and look forward to seeing old and new friends.
Have a good season and may you only get gubbed by Trotters.
Tweedsmuir
February 1999