Pitreavie AAC saw a large turn-out of around 50 runners for the 2018 Devilla Forest 5k and 15k trail races at Kincardine.
With well over 40 PAACE and RSG Pitreavie Runners across both races this was one of the biggest turnouts by the Endurance section of Pitreavie for many years.
The temperature was cold, however the dry and calm weather was ideal for running and the underfoot conditions were good, other than the infamous boggy sections of the 15k course.
The PAACE contingent split as the runners headed to their respective start lines, with the 15k setting off five minutes before the 5k.
After a short countdown, the 15k runners shot off up the road and into the forest. The early pace was fast as the every jockeyed for position ahead of the first boggy section. This is where the entertainment began with the pack slipping and sliding their way through the mud and pungent bog. Thankfully this section doesn’t last too long and the runners soon exited onto much firmer fire track. The race then undulated towards the top of the Peppermill Dam, before descending down another muddy stretch skirting the water.
Once the runners have ‘run the plank’ and negotiated a rather slippy trail in single file they exited onto another fire track and entered the final 5k of the race. The last three miles twist and turn back towards the Police College with the final 400m ‘sprint finish’ on the much welcome stretch of tarmac. The end saw a stream of very muddy and tired runners cross the finish line, with PAACE runners featuring prominently.
The 5k started with a longer stretch on the tarmac, before entering the forest and following the first couple of kilometres of the 15k race. Runners in the 5k are saved from the bog and stick to the harder packed trails and fire track. This allows a quicker pace to be maintained and this suited some of our younger Pitreavie AAC athletes who were featuring high up the field. As with the 15k we had PAACE and RSGP Runners right through the field, many of whom were representing the club and running the trails for the first time.
It was great to see the 5k runners stay on to cheer home the 15k runners; your encouragement was very welcome at the end of a tough race.
The post race photo was down on numbers due to people having to head off, but the smiles suggest everyone enjoyed the event.
On to the prize giving and we saw a number of Pitreavie youngsters picking up prizes in the 5k. Zoe Nicholson was 1st Female, with Ailsa Barr and Skye Marshall picking up prizes in the Junior Female category. Those 3 also picked up the team prize, showing that the offspring of PAACE members are a talented bunch. In the 15k Pam Pattison was 3rd FV60, with Rebecca Prow ng up 1st Junior. Well done to all who took part
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