Last updated 19:23, Thursday, 30 October 2008

MHAIRI Mackenzie made her mark at the Senior Home Internationals in some style, running for Scotland.

The relay and individual competitions were held near Dunkeld with all Home Nations fielding strong teams.

Mackenzie, currently studying in Edinburgh, ran the W21E course and comfortably left for dead her GB team-mate Helen Bridle, running for the England team.

Mackenzie ran the 8.3km course – with 335m of climb and with 19 controls – in 76 minutes 13 seconds, and managed a five-minute winning margin.

The individuals were run in Craig a Barns forest, a typically rough, steep and rocky coniferous plantation. Strength and fitness were both needed to maintain speed, with route choice and accurate navigation to avoid the tougher sections of the forest.

The relays were held at Dalnamein and produced an exciting race between several teams for the top spot. Mackenzie ran third leg for Scotland 1, setting off on the last leg in fourth position. It wasn’t long before Mackenzie had one of the runners in her sights and slowly hauled her in.

Once again Helen Bridle had to be chased. It wasn’t long before both leading runners appeared, and as they entered a section of rougher forest Mackenzie turned on the power and took the lead. In the end the win was a mere 12 seconds, giving Scotland the lead in the relays.

The men also performed well, but without doubt Mackenzie had made a very valuable contribution to the overall scores that secured the Home International win for Scotland.

Closer to home many West Cumberland Orienteers joined 2,500 others to take part in the ill-fated Original Mountain Marathon, held on the Honister fells.

The event had never been cancelled in its 40-year history, with many of the events suffering very severe weather conditions over the years. However, the Cumbrian fells were battered by gale-force winds and a torrential downpour of a month’s worth of rain on the Saturday.

Many competitors were therefore very disappointed to be told the event had been called off, as a lot of them had completed the first day’s course and were considering pitching their tent for the night in the rather water-sodden fields at Gatesgarth Farm.

With each pair carrying all equipment required for two days on the fells, and being insulated in their waterproof clothing, they were looking forward to the second day’s challenge.

But the flooding in the Seathwaite Valley had left the organisation in turmoil. Many runners returned to find their cars surrounded by water.

Certainly all competitors will go home with tales to tell, and start to make plans for next year’s event. It surely can’t be as bad as that again.

The club’s series of evening events begins in November now the clocks have changed to give dark conditions. The early venues give the opportunity to try night navigation on relatively easy terrain.

Details of the various venues can be found on the website www.wcoc.co.uk and on the answerphone 01768 895539.