From the Big Apple to the far North East of Scotland and the stunning Gight 8 Trail Race
by Karl Zaczek
This is a double race report giving our New York experience and a wee plug for a local race up in Aberdeenshire we attended at weekend.
Well, what can I say about the adventures of the last two weeks? Myself and Jennifer Smith started off on an epic Journey via Paris Charles de Gaulle on route to New York, (well that’s what we thought!) after circling JFK for nearly an hour we got diverted to Boston and the pilot had to chuck in a wee aborted landing to add to the drama of the day. After a few hours sitting on the tarmac it transpired a night in Boston it was. Turns out the good idea of putting on the running shoes for the flight to keep them safe was not so good for wandering round Boston in heavy rain to find food (and obviously for me beer).
Friday brings a new day with fresh optimism and the decision to embark on a four and a half hour bus journey to New York, as flying had lost its appeal at this stage. As luck would have it the bus stopped right outside the expo so numbers were picked up and credit card was given a hit in the hype of fighting with the masses to grab the best of the race merch (suitcase came in hand as a deadly assault weapon!!).
RACE DAY ARRIVES
After a wee leg stretch on the Saturday doing the Abbott 5k Dash, which took you across the finish line of the marathon as a bit of a taster, we were off. Subway to Staten Island ferry terminal then ferry and bus to the start all very smooth. Got there with time to spare and weather was lovely, so no need for spare clothing, although they did make a good seat as we tucked into our free bagel and coffee as we excitedly took in the atmosphere of the other waves setting off and soaked up the lovely weather.
The race begins in Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island on the Verazzano – Narrows Bridge crossing to Brooklyn. I had agreed to start in the pink wave with Jen and the wave goes across the lower section of the bridge, giving you a bit less ascent. Off we went in good spirits despite a bit of a cold and Jen’s now customary dodgy leg.
Once across the bridge into Brooklyn the atmosphere was electric and the crowds decided at some points to remove the barriers and spill on to the course, making things a bit narrow but good fun and what passion from all the people lining the streets as they shouted your name. Many of them had already been there a few hours when we passed but were still as passionate and encouraging. We both felt good as we soaked it all up and a sub five hours was on the cards.
So over Pulaski Bridge (which was spooky and quiet due to no spectators) a few work men made an effort to make some noise. Into Queens for the halfway mark and the realisation the sub five was a bit out of reach. Pushed on through Queens where again the crowd went wild (honest I done nothing to encourage this). After what felt like a long couple of miles, we crossed the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan where we were able to take advantage of the bus lanes to avoid the masses and get a bit of pace going. Being cheered on by the crowds gave us the boost to keep going, although my heavy cold was starting to drain me a little and the inclines, especially over the bridges were now starting to have an effect on Jen’s leg but we kept going sucking in the atmosphere. Mile 20 and another bridge (Willis Avenue Bridge) into the Bronx we go for a couple of miles now entering our 5th Borough. Bronx was still full of cheering people but not quite as many as in previous areas of the Marathon.
Out of the Bronx we go over the Madison Avenue Bridge and the final push down 5th Avenue towards Central Park for the glory finish. Through Central Park we pushed on passing quite a few people as we made the final bust for glory, but of course Jen’s leg had to have one final say with 200m to go. So it was a quick stop at the side as I gave her leg one last rub and off we went hand in hand over the finish line to claim our 05.10 finishing time. All I can say is it was an epic adventure and would recommend it to anyone who gets the chance to do it.
Medal Monday after the Joy of the marathon as we both pose for our photo
The Gight Eight Trail Race
Following the epic New York adventure and successfully giving Jen my stinking cold we took two weeks off before heading up North to see family and support a friend of ours who was hosting his local trail race (this race is classified as a hill race, however I would suggest it is definitely a hilly trail race with around 800ft of ascent).
Well where do I start with this one after many weeks of road running and a stinking cold which has hung around for best part of three weeks, I must admit the idea of roots, mud, hills and a nasty NE breeze was not filling me full of the joys of running as we approached the trails leading to Gight woods on Saturday morning.
We arrived ready to go wrapped up from head to toe knowing there would be more walking than running in this one as we were both coughing up a lung as we got out the car.
We were off down round the Cricket field and off along a decent track for a couple of mile until we encountered the grassy path that sent you up the main hill and up we went, half way up the jacket and hat was discarded as the gradual but steepish climb got the blood pumping, luckily I had brought a Jen to carry my excess kit!
Once we got up the hill we were taken down a few decent mud tracks which were well signed round the edge of a field and into the woods where the tracks were a bit thinner but not too technical, so could still manage a bit of running on most of them. This was a short enough section that dropped down onto a wide track.
After a short time on the track we crossed a number of small bridges and a few flights of stone steps before the track opened up as you passed what is left of Gight Castle.
Around 5 and a bit mile into the race you get sent up a wide track to the top of what is referred to as heart break hill where you touch the gate and run all the way back down, which I must admit is quite good fun on a very good surface.
The remaining 2.5 mile is fairly decent mixture of trail and stony forest path with not much more ascent until you come to the cruel twist at the end where they make you run round the cricket pitch which is a bit like the end of the Donkey Brae.
This race is really nice trails and not over technical in any way, it is only £10 to enter with a field of 100 which was not sold out. You get a nice hand crafted wooden medal at the end and the local hall does soup and other goodies for a small cost.
Only tip I will give us if you are taking a camper van do not park in the field as despite it seeming quite firm ground we still got stuck and had to be pushed out. Well, come on it wouldn’t be me and Jen if there wasn’t a wee bit of drama or excitement on race day.