JK 2026 - Day 4 - Relays TullochroiskMonday 6th April
Credit: Crawford Lindsay
ESOC fielded 2 teams in the mini relay and 10 adult teams in various categories on the final day of the JK. This concluded a very successful and well attended series of events, with ESOC having 12 different podium finishers, some achieving this more than once, and overall 62 top 10 finishes.
The relays on the final day moved east to Tullochroisk forest on the Dunalastair Estate. The area is on the very northern slopes of Schiehallion and adjacent to the fictional Craigh na Dun Stone circle from the Outlander TV series.
Jules Mair reports:
“JUST DON’T STOP!” urged the volunteer ushering in cars. Followed by delicate manoeuvring downfield, tucking in tightly and somewhat apprehensively beside fellow competitors on the snow dusted field, race nerves quite forgotten. The setting hugely atmospheric with the domed tents and fluttering club flags abreast on top of a hillock, reminiscent of a battle enactment. The foreground of athletes milling, all ages and levels of athleticism accounted for, with excited camaraderie and leg swings higher than the Juniors heads. A backdrop of a magnificent frosted Schiehallion completed the set.
The racing itself was full of cheer and encouragement. Quite frankly, the competitors were delighting in the fact that today’s contours were distinguishable and features in view, compared to the challenges of the previous day. That is not to say the scrambling, leaping and bog hopping was any less competitive. The tented summit provided a perfect vantage point, cups of tea and slabs of cake in hand for finishers. Changeovers across race barriers were a frantic exchange of fleeces and downs, much needed in this year’s icy temperatures. One junior, Hamish, was propelled over the barrier for an extra leg such was his newbie enthusiasm. There was a strong ESOC contingent with 12 teams representing the club’s breadth, with a great time had by all.
ESOC results in the top half:
- Men's Short (44) - ESOC Skyline (Ben, Will, Ewan) 20th, ESOC Allermuir (Calum, Tate, Jamie) 21st
- Veteran Men's M165+ (38) - ESOC Muckle Knock (Keith, Kevin, Matt) 16th
- Veteran Women W165+ (19) - ESOC Turnhouse (Helena, Alison, Fran) 5th, ESOC Henshaw (Maggie, Judy, Hanne) 10th
- Ultraveterans M/W210+ (34) - ESOC Carlops (Crawford, Margaret, Peter H) 13th, ESOC Capelaw (Sally, Mary, Leslie) 18th
Full relay results can be found here
Photos from Wendy Carlyle can be found here
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