There was a great buzz at the start at Silverknowes as the 2400 runners lined up. After an initial two miles with the wind, the runners turned at Cramond into the teeth of the wind and a rain shower. Another 11 miles, via Granton, Leith and Portobello promenade took us finally home to Musselburgh. There was good support all along the route, especially in the run in through Musselburgh, with the MDAC club banner greeting us as we ran into the Honest Toun.

The winner Mike Carroll from Perth Road Runners has won this event and the Haddington race previously and broke away from his rivals over the last two miles to win comfortably in 68m 46secs. Michelle Ross-Cope from Stoke made the journey worthwhile and show a good few men a clean pair of heels by finishing 11th overall in an excellent time of 76m 11s.

A total of 2372 finished the course and among them were 19 East Lothian Club runners including 10 Musselburgh & District A.C. runners. In his first race with the club, Alex Oliver came home in 271st place in 1 hr 34 mins 1 sec, next Stewart McConnell 334th, l hr 35m54s; Gordon Eadie 342nd, 1 hr 36m04s; Dana Budinska 466th, l hr 39m03s; Jan Oliver 819th, 1 hr 45m38s; Jean Rutherford 1982nd, 2hr 09m10s. Pamela Hicks 2008th 2hrs 10m04s; Linda Thompson 2009th  2hr 10m05s; and Marilyn Tweedie 2126th, 2 hrs 13m56s. Unfortunately, Irene Whalen’s time was not posted in the results but congratulations to Irene for completing her first half-marathon.

First local was HELP's Peter Probin who clocked l hr 26m02s for 93rd place and gained 2nd place in the over 60's category. Clubmate Sandy Wallace was just over 2 minutes behind and clocked 1hr 28m 09s but was awarded 1st spot in the over 55 group. Portobello runner Jill Morrow was fourth overall woman, in a remarkable 1 hour 23 mins and 35 secs.

The organisers should be congratulated for a good course and for a well marshalled event with an excellent finish. We just need a tail wind for next year.