Adventurous spirits all: Muckle Toon hosts an outdoor festival worthy of its name

MTAF

LANGHOLM proved once again that it is the perfect backdrop for the adventurous spirits who flock every year to the Muckle Toon Adventure Festival.
Ideal conditions prevailed for the bold and the brave who tackled the hillsides and roads by foot and by bike and also for everyone who enjoyed the activities at Basecamp.
The event kicked off as usual with the challenging uphill time trial for the cyclists, starting from the bottom of the hill road to the Macdiarmid memorial.
The first man home was Harris Coupland in 6.47, beating his winning time from last year of 7.06.
Elaine Scott was the first woman to the top in 10.12 and the winner of the under 16s was Thomas Fell of Canonbie in 9.20. Patrick Friell of Roberton was the fastest on a mountain bike in 9.40.
Other local results: Stewart Pool 8.19; Cameron Waitt 10.08; Richie Scott (MTB) 11.10; Lewis Mackenzie (hybrid) 12.56; George Barnfather 13.13; Seth Brown (MTB) 13.57; Glen Jamieson (MTB) 14.04; Aaron Jardine (hybrid) 16.06; Codey Foster (MTB) 22.38.
On Saturday the 10K and half-marathon runners lined up at the start at 1pm and when they reached the Kirk Wynd, they were piped up the steep thoroughfare by members of the pipe band and cheered on by a good crowd.
The 10K runners turned right onto Drove Road, while the half-marathon runners kept on straight up the hill.
Among them were the Muckle Toon Joggers, dressed as super heroes to help Pauline Irving celebrate her 50th birthday this weekend.
Vassos
Another to take part was endurance runner Vassos Alexander, who later presented the trophies and gave a tent talk on his running career.
The first male senior home in the 10K was Ryan Milligan of Langholm in a time of 40.40.
Other local results: Ryan Johnstone, first male junior, 51.12; Roger Irving MV50, 51.28; Matthew Grieve, MS, 53.28; Thomas Scott, MJ, 54.50; Lucy Ash, FS, 56.03; Denise Irving, FV40, 56.18; Bob Lamb, MS, 57.07; Simon Roberts, MV50, 58.29; Shane Kenny, MV50, 58.35; Mark Cropper, MV50, 58.44; Stuart Graham, MV 50, 1.00.38; Fiona Warwick, FV50, 1.06.53; Sophie Tedham, FS, 1.17.04; Amy Tedham, FV50, 1.17.26.
Seventy-five runners competed for the honours in the half-marathon and first home was Kevin Plummer. The MV50 runner finished in 1.47.11.
The first local male home was Colin Cox, MV40, in eighth place in 1.54.43 followed by Martin Thomlinson, MV40, in 1.55.47.
Other local placings: Anna Cuthbert, FS, 2.02.44; Alex Jarzyna, MV40, 2.04.24; Carol Irving, FV 40, 3.25.36; Debbie Wilson, FV40, 3.25.48; Sharon Irving, FV40, 3.25.49; Sarah Phillips, FS, 3.25.49; Mhairi Beattie, FS, 3.25.51; Pauline Irving, FV40, 3.25.53; Kirsty Ash, FV40, 3.25.55; Liz Forsyth, FV40, 3.25.57; Lynne Aitken, FV40, 3.26.12.
The tough men and women took to the hills on their mountain bikes and enjoyed ideal conditions for the 15, 22 and 30-mile routes.
22-miler
Jason Little, formerly of Langholm, who now lives in Selkirk, who competed in the 22-miler, recorded the best times by a local competitor in all three stages of the downhill stages in 4.51, 5.55 and 2.55 respectively.
Other locals, who tackled the 22-mile circuit, were Colin Waitt (MV50), Cameron Waitt (MS) and Callon Herd (MS).
Patrick Friell (MS) and Keith Armstrong (MV40) opted for the 15-mile route, while John Borthwick (MV50), Charlie Borthwick (MV40) and Dayne Massey (MS) competed over 30 miles.
On Sunday morning it was the turn of the road cyclists to enjoy the quiet roads and beautiful landscape as they rode either 30 or 60 miles.
Thirty-one cyclists did the 30-mile ride and first local to complete was Alan Miller of Langholm, MV40, in 1.53.20, while Colin Waitt, MV50, was home in 1.42.38.
The 60-mile ride attracted 42 cyclists and the first local to finish was Callum Luescher, MS, in 3.49.08, followed by Charlie Borthwick, MV40, in 4.49.26. Richie Scott, MV40, of Westerkirk was home in 4.59.41.
Popular
The popular 5K run attracts lots of families and people new to running who may be taking part in their first race.
Langholm Academy pupil and rugby player Scarlett Crossan-Brown set off the runners, as she had done on Saturday.
While some went out to run competitively, most people enjoyed the jog with their children around the Castleholm, although they set off in a very heavy shower.
First male senior runner round was Joe Boardman in 17.39 and Sue Sarahs was first female senior in 21.20.
In the junior race Conan Harper of Langholm was first boy in 16.31 and Amelie Marshall was first girl in 17.54.