RESULTS ARCHIVE

2009 - Hoy Half Marathon

Contents:- Results

12 runners set off in the North Coast Marine Adventures boat from John O Groats heading for the Hoy half marathon, the weather was fine.

A great crossing although a bit choppy, I should have guessed it would get a bit damp when the skipper told the guys with wellies to go to the Port side, but we got across without incident with lovely views of the oncoming islands and the weather improving all the time. The event was well organised and with 154 competitors, plus supporters, that takes a bit of doing. The run starts with a bus trip from Old school hall (they have a primary school with a swimming pool, what's that all about Caithness Council!!) and traces the route to the start at Rackwick, which on reflection should have been done with your eyes shut as the hills seemed very long and plentiful.

We start with a few hundred yards slightly uphill followed by 3½miles or so downhill/pleasantly undulating through the desolate Rackwick valley, past the Dwarfie Stane and beneath the Ward Hill (Orkney's highest) then on to the cross roads in Hoy, turn right, a few hundred yards downhill to the bridge, (sea level) and then up and up for 1½ miles., and then about a mile of undulating road with spectacular views over Scapa Flow to the Orkney Mainland and the islands of Graemsay, Cava, Fara, Rysa Little and the Barrel of Butter. Then up again for about ½ mile to the Water of Hoy, 360ft. above sea-level and just over ½ way. Down Lyrawa hill - 1 whole mile coasting down to the sea at Lyrawa Bay. ¾ mile up the other side - it's tough enough and it keeps climbing around the corner. Then ½ mile downhill to the bridge of Pegal with its native trees. Another mile undulating followed by the sharp right at Rysa Farm - the first inhabited house on the course. A short sharp down and up (avoid the cattle grid at the bottom) and then downhill or flat to Lyness. The last drinks station Pass the wartime cemetery. Turn right just past the electricity sub-station and along the flat past the turning to the ferry terminal. At the end of the straight, with ¾ mile to go there's Ore Brae, a nasty little hill which gets worse around the corner. At the top it's ½ mile coasting home to warm drinks, refreshments and a shower.

The beer tent at the end I thought was a great idea and was well attended by the Caithness contingency while we waited for the prize giving. Everyone on the boat managed to get a medal, coming back with 1st Male Team, 2nd Ladies Team 3rd Male team and individual age group positions by Jack Trevelyan, Yan Hughes, Tony Chalmers and 1st in her age group Martine Hughes plus a new course record for her age group.

Every one had a great day out and many thanks to all the Hoy Half organisers' Jude & Jan, Terry & Magnus for the transport at Hoy and the crew of the North Coast Marine Adventures boat for taking us over and back. I would recommend this run to anyone wanting to try something different, it's not an easy half marathon and it's not going to be the fastest you do, but it's up there with the most adventurous and friendliest... and its just on our doorstep.

Caithness Results:-

• 6th Jack Trevelyan 1-29-26
• 9th Sandy Christie 1-31-23
• 11th Ruard Erridge 1-34-37
• 18th Yan Hughes 1-37-27
• 22nd Ian Walker 1-38-57
• 26th Martine Hughes 1-42-30
• 31st Alan Cook 1-44-27
• 32nd Alistair Geddes 1-44-28
• 48th James Keuchel 1-53-18
• 71st Tony Chalmers 2-08-49
• 72nd Yvonne Pollard 2-09-21
• 77th Carol Taylor 2-10-46

PS - How about a Stroma 10K, anyone up for organising that?

Sandy Christie