With this race being one part of the club championships this year, I thought it would be good to put on a review for anyone unfamiliar with this part of the East of Scotland. I will say from the outset that whatever I write may be influenced by the pain I experienced running the race last year, a race I am not likely to forget in a hurry for all the wrong reasons.

Traprain law is a hill just outside Haddington. Much like Berwick law attracts quite a few tourists and locals who get a grand view of East Lothian from the top. At one side, namely the side facing North which you will be facing on arrival in the race, there is the remains of an old quarry which is enclosed by a fence. It loos very much a place where wannabe Druids or Wiccans might burn the Wicker man. The night before the Beltane festival, many of them gather in an old quarry in the middle of the Braid valley between the Blackford and Braid hill. But I digress.As I said it was a memorable race had this was because I had what I think was a groin strain. I really shouldn’t have ran that day but having paid not only for that race, but also a race two hours earlier, mistakenly double booking, well, I just had to not waste my money..right? So having ran: and not badly, the Saltire10k without a reaction from the groin strain I drove a few miles along from Athelstaneford to East Linton.The start was a little tricky to find as it said beside the railway and I did not know where that was so parked in at the little group of trading huts andcafé/shop which is a left turn soon after entering East Linton. I walked over the back and found myself at the rail station and got over to the other side before walking through the tunnel to a large field. Turns out you can park at the village centre car park. Anyway, as the race was drawing closer, I decided to go for a jog, or to be more accurate find a toilet! At that point all the pain returned with a vengeance, and I could not foresee me running the race. However, 15 minutes later I found myself at the start line adjacent to a one of the main roads through the village and figured I should start and see how it goes, and besides the pain was about 20% less than 15 mins ago!

The race takes us about 100m along the road where we disappear down the side of a cottage and onto the public path which runs along the River Tyne (notto be confused with Newcastle) to Haddington. As I now live in Haddington,this route has become very familiar to me and used regularly as a trail training
run. The path is about 5 miles ling but is only a mile or so towards Traprain Law. Now depending on the weather will determine what shoes to wear. If it is dry, you will get away with road or light trail shoes. If it has been raining a lot, then go for trails with good grip. For most of the trail it will be difficult to overtake runners do if you are a fast runner do not hold back at the start of the race. About 100m before Hailes Castle (A ruined historic castle protected by Historic Scotland and birthplace of Lord Darnley, the cruel husband of Mary Queen of Scots) Now here is where it gets fun. You cross the river, not by the bridge, but straight through the water. It will be at least up to your knees, higher if you are small and there has been a lot of rain. Do not put your best dry shoes on! And as for long-legged trousers, make sure they don’t hold water.The only way I can see this part of the route being changed is if there was severe rain and the water was flowing dangerously fast. There are rocks underfoot, so watch your step and do not be tempted to run through. There should be a rope to hold onto but last year it was not tight and so easy to stumble.Once over the river you head uphill towards the Law alongside a farmer’s field, arriving at the Law there will be a steward making sure you cross the road safely and directing you to a small lane at the side of the Law. A little steep climb brings you to the bottom of the Law to the rear of the quarry. No, this part of the hill comes with a warning and on top of the hill are signs warning walkers not to descend at this part as it is dangerous. There is a fence between you and the quarry so there I no chance of falling into the quarry, but due to the steepness and what could be slippery rocks, the organisers helpfully attach a rope to assist with climbing.At the top of the hill, it can be easy to miss the route back down if you have become isolated, so just run straight over the hill and follow the paths down. I have been up several times but often take a route further left than I should, and take a bit longer to reach the gate out. If you are not sure where to go, when you get to the bottom of the hill just follow to the right and you will reach the gate. It is worth scouting the hill if you have never been before if you are hoping for a top ten place. Carnethy Hill runners own this event, which is a bit out of their patch but typical of their races.Coming through the gate, you want to head back where you came, but you have to turn down the road for a couple of hundred metres, where a friendly
volunteer tells you how well you are doing (I certainly wasn’t and could barely ascend that hill through pain). You then head down a track, road/field and cross over this time via a bridge to the right of the castle. Expecting to turn right and head back towards EastLinton, I was directed to go left, heading away from the village, fortunately not too far before turning right up to a cottage and back onto the old A1. Crossing over, you then run to the side of some trees. This area has an archery range, so watch for flying arrows. I suspect they have been asked not to use the area during this time, but you never know who didn’t get the message! From there, you run through some trees and past the signposted picnic area and then back onto the old A1, But you turn left into another field where you run down hill for almost a mile, returning to East Linton and eventually back into the park where you may receive applause, but not a medal. Good luck, everyone. I was toying with where to run this or the Saltire this year. I expect I will run it again, this time having not exhausted myself on a separate 10k beforehand and preferably with no groin strain, and despite the experienced opposition, maybe not finish last again! Good luck everyone.