While most of Edinburgh was looking for the nearest ice cream van on Sunday 24th May, eight determined athletes from Corstorphine Athletics Club were busy tearing up the tarmac.
Representing the club across two swift quartets, CAAC took on the Edinburgh Marathon Team Relay. Facing down an uncharacteristically scorching May day, both teams battled brilliant sunshine and rising temperatures over the 26.2-mile course, showcasing fantastic club spirit and serious grit.
Despite the grueling heat melting the asphalt, both teams delivered stellar performances, putting in incredibly respectable shifts against a massive field of 424 teams. The “CAAC Craic 4” (Andrew Hamilton, Lindsay Seywright, Martin Caldwell and Jess East) crossed the line in a fantastic 82nd place overall. The “Happy CAAC’ers” (Maria Cemborain, Jan-Bert van den Berg, Petra Cameron and Tom Gallahue) weren’t far behind, fighting hard through the midday sun to secure a brilliant 138th place.
Relay racing is always a a fun team event but the brutal conditions turned this year’s event into a true test of endurance. From the opening legs in the city centre to the coastal stretches out east, every single runner dug deep to keep going and make it to the the relay change over point and that rewarding finish line.
Massive congratulations to all eight runners for conquering the heat, representing CAAC with pride, and claiming two highly impressive top-138 finishes!
Report by Jess East
Great write up, Jess!