2015 Arisaig Highland Games: Race Report

One of the delights of being associated with Tyne Bridge Harriers has been watching the progress of youngster Leodhais over the past few years, and if his race report is anything to go by there’s going to be no stopping him soon.

 

Besides from the casino bingo that you can learn more from here. The Arisaig Highland Games have been held annually for years and years, they always take place on the last Wednesday of July.
 

 
We drove up on the Tuesday, not knowing whether to do a session or compete at the games! Last minute we decided to compete at the games, athletics kit all packed. We entered the arena. Arriving could not believe how many people were there, as it was also the clan MacDonald’s gathering.

 

 
We sat down in our portable chairs waiting for the race to start. My dad could not sit still, nerves were starting to kick in! The track  was approx 200 metres and was undulating with crowds of eager tourists thronging the sides trying to watch events. Heavyweight events to place within the track whilst pipers and dancers showed their skills nearby. This made for a gladiator style arena and my Dad was feeling the pressure.

 

 
Then the mile race was announced ” would competitors go to the start line!” I could see the whites of his eyes as he always told me you didn’t know who who would turn up at these events.
 
Leodhais (when he was still a wee boy)

Leodhais (when he was a wee lad)

My plan was to to out hard and try and shake the old man off. We stood like clansmen at the start line. The gun went off, the crowds cheered, the heavyweights stopped and the pipers cheered us on. I was approx 10 feet ahead of him and a couple of inexperienced runners went away like they were doing 100 metres but they soon died. 800 metres gone and I could feel the old fox breathing behind me. He was tracking my every move! I took a quick glance behind me only to see the huge highlander flying towards me with flailing limbs! I was hoping he would take me so I could bide my time sheltering from the wind. Shadowing his every move. 600m to go he took me on a tight corner, nudging me. The crowd gasped, he thought he had me, he thought I was slowing. However I only thrived on his dirty tactics, 200m to go I took him on the downhill part of the track! With a surge or pace I was making a move for home! 40m I could feel his breath on my shoulder! His long gargantuan stride becoming level with mine! Keep working, keep working, I thought to myself.

 

 
He was pushing me all the way. I had given everything and I could feel him coming at me again. We crossed the line with little between us but most importantly I squeezed past to win. My first time winning and it was in front of a 1000 people in his home turf. The whole village is talking about it. Wee Mac came out on top…

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8 comments

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    • Badger on 31st July 2015 at 14:46
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    Well done ‘not so wee Mac’,. You certainly put the fox in the box. Are you sure this wasn’t ghost written by Rooney?

    • keith rooney on 31st July 2015 at 15:40
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    I persuaded him to submit it, but its purely of his own creation. A jolly good read. The young man shows quite an instinctive appreciation of the rythms of language. I suspect his literary abilities will grow and blossem in tandem with his athletic ones. Oh, and as regards beating the old boy: can I do it next please!?

    • Ian Jackman on 31st July 2015 at 17:44
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    Well done Leodhais. Great report and a great victory!

    • Sean Kelly on 31st July 2015 at 21:53
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    This made me chuckle! I saw Kenny running at some considerable speed along the seafront a couple of months ago. He was with a tall runner who I didn’t, at first, recognise… Then I realised that it was Leodhais! I shouted out, “Try and keep up with him, Kenny!” Well, watch out Leodhais, he’s a wounded animal now and he will be harder to beat next time. Still, not bad for an old man.

    • John JH on 31st July 2015 at 22:07
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    Excellent Leodhais, great report and fantastic win. First of many.

    • Si on 1st August 2015 at 09:48
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    Well done Champ!

    Fantastic performance and yet another awesome race report from one of our juniors!

    Great to hear you’re sitting in your dads pocket again.. an iPhone 6 and a win over Daddy Mac – you’ve definitely got him covered! ;) #hook #line#andsinker

    Keep up the good work and see you when ya get back.

    Coach

    • Kenny Mac on 1st August 2015 at 14:55
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    Yes he did well. I thought I had done enough with 400 to go but alas he came back at me. It’s the talk of the village but now the pressure is on him and I can relax, plot and plan for tomorrow

    • keith rooney on 1st August 2015 at 22:23
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    It’s as dramatic and gripping a storyline as Whisky Galore!

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