The Devil's Beeftub race is one of the steepest races that I've done. Its hands and feet almost from the start, followed by some very lumpy running thereafter and then a very steep descent down to the Tub's floor. All followed by sticking your feet in the handily placed burn to cool them down.
One of the good things about this race is the run in warm up from the farm registration. Although nothing prepares you for the initial climb. Anyway, Eve McCurrich and I headed down for this race on a sunny Saturday. It was Eve's 1st hill race and my 2nd time running the Beeftub. There was the usual pre-race banter and the usual faces were all there, including Tilly Smith who I'm always battling with for placings.
We were all promptly called to start and the shout was giving and the slog up the side of the valley began. There's not much like it for a start, if any ! I set into my usual grind and watched as Eve edged ahead, and we all worked our way to the top. Blessed relief was had at the top and then the very lumpy run round to the trig point started, via a very wet bog. Lots of rain in the proceeding days had left it calf deep. A quick descent followed to loosen the legs and the final climb was next. It was at this point Eve veered off in the wrong direction following another runner, a couple of shouts resolved that and she cut over and joined Tilly on the correct path. I meanwhile was following a good 100 yards behind counting down the distance to the downhill and the assistance of gravity and momentum ....!! That wasn't far away. On reaching the top, it was good to see Cammy Scott with camera in hand shouting "you're a bit slow today, Ken".
The descent began....! Dropping into the Beeftub is not for the weak of ankle, even though I did it with a cracked bone in mine last year, it does really test your footing and balance. Mine was not brilliant and the heals of my Mudclaws are a bit baldy, a few bum sliding moments were had. My aim on the descent was to catch both Tilly and Eve. Tilly was over taken on the last section prior to the burn, but Eve was just a bit far ahead and giving it all not to be caught. 11 second separated us at the line..... you can go right off some people.
After a bout of hyper-ventilation and dipping of feet in the burn, not to mention the stragglers making it back, the prize giving began. Standing looking at the other runner, it dawned on me that quite possibly Eve had won the Ladies. Needles to say when the results were announced she was presented with a bottle of wine for her 1st place. Tinto's 2nd win of the year...... result. Well done, Eve.
Well done Tinto! It was a great day to be out in the hills. Don't think you've quoted me correctly Ken but the sentiment was the same!
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