Carnethy Christmas party and awards 2023
Wednesday 6 December saw the annual Carnethy Christmas party, this year also serving as the celebrations for the club’s 40th birthday. 100 Carnethies descended on the Counting House, Edinburgh, for a night of revelry and reminiscing about 40 illustrious and elevation-packed years.
Seated around the tables were members representing all the many periods of Carnethy’s history, and the richness of that collective memory was celebrated throughout the night. Whether it was seeing pictures of races (amongst other things!) from years gone by, or memorabilia from the yellow-vest era, newer members like myself got a sense of the club’s history which I didn’t have before. A highlight of the evening was ‘Carnethy through the Years’, where we heard from members from each decade all the way back to the 1980s. A particular thank you to the Spenceleys, Nikki Innes, Gordon Cameron, and Mark Hartree for sharing their experiences and recollections from yesteryear – some wisdom for us young rug-rats.
The Christmas do is also the night for Club awards, where we celebrate the accomplishments – athletic and otherwise – of our ever-growing membership.
This year’s winners were:
Scald Law: John Ryan for his 40 Cairngorm Munros in under 48 hours Challenge
Burns-Scott: Joel Sylvester for feat of perserverance in Skyline organisation during extenuating circumstances and continued work in land access to the Pentlands.
JBF: Hilary Spencely for her win and team win at the Worlds Masters Mountain Running Championship
Radical Runner: John Chambers for completing the 3540km Appalachian Trail
Billy’s Goat: Rachel Normand for an incredible return to running, and several running victories, after having a baby earlier this year
Alt C5: Steph Droop and Iain Whiteside
Junior Trophy: Arielle Muir for her continued enthusiasm for hill running
Handicap Series Trophy: Arielle Muir
Wooden Spoon: Ali Masson and Tim Morgan for accidentally letting a cow eat all their food in their tent while on a running trip in Kyrgyzstan
Trophy winners page here
Wishing all club members a restful festive period with many (hopefully dry) runs,
Neil, Richard, and Colm
Christmas Party and Awards 2019
Trophy Winners
Burns Scott Trophy – winner John Busby – for organising the mini mountain marathon events
Scald Law Trophy – winner Jasmin Paris – for winning the Spine race by 11 hours and 55 mins!
Allermuir Junior Trophy – no winner this year
As no nominees were suggested by attendees, it was agreed that this Trophy would not be awarded in 2019.
The proposal of Amber Cameron was rejected as Amber Cameron was, at time of AGM, a 2 year and 4 month old dog, hence marginally over 16 dog years, using the widely utilized, but scientifically unvalidated conversion factor, accepting that Amber was, indeed, a family member of the club.
JBF Trophy for Best Overseas Performance – Olly Stephenson – for running the Haute Route Pyrenées during a year of chemotherapy
Club champs – Alan Hogg – ran 14 of the 17 qualifying races (although tied with 6 points from 6 races, with Andy Fallas and Michelle Etherington, they only ran 7 and 6 races respectively)
Billy’s Goat on a Gruff – Lucas Lefèvre – For his athletic improvement and enthusiasm for the club, including organising Wednesday evening runs
Radical runner – Alex McVey – For his impressively keen running of 30 Pentland tops in January in celebration of his 30th birthday
London Marathon Place – Peter MacDonald
Members of the Racing Club attending the AGM were given the opportunity to enter a ballot for 2020 London Marathon. As no member of the Racing Club expressed any inclination to run around the streets of London, Peter MacDonald volunteered himself to take the position. This was accepted on the condition that he ‘cross your heart, hope to die, finger in eye…’ pinky-promised to join the Racing club for 2020. Let’s see!
Club Handicap – Scott Robson
Wooden Spoon – Several nominees of varying ineptitude were rated on the cock-ometer but Mark Hartree’s attempt to release a poo unnoticed into the wild only to be stymied by a black lab and its diligent poo-bag wielding owner was judged a worthy winner.
Nicola Dunn
Prize Giving
New president Mark Hartree took centre-elevated-chair at the annual prize-giving and party on Wednesday evening. What a night for the fellow – celebrating his birthday and walking away with Carnethy’s most-prized Wooden Spoon award – the lengths he went to in achieving this don’t even barely bare thinking about. Or was it just a load of fake s%#t in keeping with the times…..?
Around 100 members turned up to Hemma for an enjoyable evening of conversation, food, drink, a quiz, prizes and much more. As always, the prize-winners and those nominated (see below) provide incredible inspiration (well, except Mark) as we head into 2020.
Thanks to Dorothy, Nicki, Nikki and Sean for helping with the quiz, photos, prizes, and much more. And also to Graham Nash and Bob Johnson for bringing new levels of precision to assessing the Wooden Spoon Award winner.
*Apologies to those Veg-eaters who missed out on food because of ‘shy vegetarians’. For next year, we’ll have to have a Veggies-eat-first policy or establish a quota of ‘Meat-eaters who rather fancy the veg option’ in calculating the food order!
Ken Fordyce
Carnethy Christmas Party and Awards – Thurs 13th December, 2018
Trophy winners 2018
The full list of trophy winners announced at the Xmas Party…
Burns Scott Trophy: Jeff Roberts – for organising several alcohol themed journey runs, as well as club gear
Scald Law Trophy: Charlotte Morgan – for winning the WMRA World Long Distance Mountain Running Championship, 2018
Handicap Trophy: Andrew Lamont
Club Championship: Gordon Cameron
Allermuir Junior Trophy: Andrew Nash – for beating his father’s best time on Caerketton downhill at a first attempt
John Blair-Fish Trophy for Best Overseas Performance: Charlotte Morgan – for winning the WMRA World Long Distance Mountain Running Championship, 2018
Carnethy Radical Runner Trophy: Micah Stanbridge – for cycling across the USA to raise awareness and funds for Anthony Nolan charity
The Alt C5 Trophy: Jonathon Marks
Billy’s Goat on a Grough: Kenneth Fordyce
The Wooden Spoon Trophy: Helen Bonsor – turned up to race the 2 Breweries only to find she’d forgotten to enter
Xmas Party 2018
How wonderful to be at a Xmas party with so many talented hill runners and an abundance of quick wit and good humour. To be awarded a prestigious Carnethy prize is something very special. Worthy winners included Micah Stanbridge – Trans-America charity bike ride, Kenneth Fordyce – most improved and enthusiastic member, Helen Bonsor – wooden spoon (incident amusingly narrated by Bob!), Charlotte Morgan – for all her amazing achievements this year, Gordon Cameron – Club Champs, Andy Lamont – handicaps and Andrew Nash – juniors.
We were given an exclusive and entertaining view of ‘Carnethy Racks’, with public consensus agreeing that the most impressive and lovingly presented rack belongs to John Ryan, a surprising result to anyone who has ever seen the inside of his car! The three Nicolas received the honour of winning the ‘Threesome’ photo competition.
A special thanks went to Margaret Forrest who has edited the newsletter for many years. Lisa Gamble coordinated the evening for us so a big thanks to her too.
We all left with seasonal good cheer and looking forward to the forthcoming pub run and Eskapade.
Kathy Henly
Carnethy Christmas Party and Awards – Wed 13 Dec 2017
The ‘who’s who’ (and ‘who’s that’) of Carnethy attended the annual Christmas Party & Awards at Meggetland. Organised by Lisa and Euan Boyd, a great evening was had by all. A run, with mince pies, mulled wine and icy paths preceded running to the bar, more food, quizzes and the prize-giving, which were followed by more runs to the bar. Quizzes devised by Digby (Name the Carnethy Race) and Euan (Who’s knees?) intrigued and disturbed in equal measure. Trophies were presented by Jim Hardie, who, in contrast to Willie in 2016, was much more liberal and equality conscious with his congratulations.
So, who got what?
Burns Scott Trophy: Mark Hartree – for organising the AltC5, the Winter Ultra Series and many other events
Scald Law Trophy: Helen Bonsor – for setting a new Tranter’s Round female record (12h 25m)
Handicap Trophy: Andrew Nash
Allermuir Junior Trophy: Andrew Nash – for winning the Club Handicap Series and for completing the Alt C5 Series.
Club Championship: Stewart Whitlie
JBF Trophy for Best Overseas Performance: Charlotte Morgan – finished 7th in the World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships, in Premana, Italy
Carnethy Radical Runner Trophy: Mick James – for devising and completing the James – Thin Round (with Jamie Thin), a 112 km round of 50 hills and 5573m ascent, south of Edinburgh. Also for turning 50.
Alternative Carnethy 5 Trophy: – already awarded – Ross Christie
Billy’s Goat on a Grough: Newly commissioned prize for 2017 made by Billy Elliott from scrap metal and part of the summit cairn of Carnethy. Thanks! It was decided that this trophy is to be awarded to a club member who epitomizes the enjoyment, commitment and enthusiastic efforts within the club and whose athletic prowess continues to improve.
Sandra Chandler- for all of the above.
Wooden Spoon: Willie Gibson – for chivalry beyond reproach and other stories.
Thanks to Bob for coordinating and presenting the Wooden Spoon again this year, cracking job, as ever. Looking forward to next year’s instalment
John Preston
Carnethy Christmas Party and Awards – Tues 13 Dec 2016
Report
Well, that event of the hill running year swung round again – the Carnethy Christmas Party and awards ceremony. Hostess for the evening, Lisa Boyd, put on a great evening, with a run to start, a bar to retire to after a shower, and finally some food to keep the hungry crowd at bay. Also, thanks to Willie Gibson, for presenting the trophies, and for not trying to kiss any of the winners.
So, to the awards themselves…
Juniors
The first set of trophies went to the juniors. Last year we upped our number of junior trophies in a bid to ensure that they were well rewarded for their year of effort. A reminder that the trophies were all based on reports sent to the site, so….make sure you keep sending in reports!
Junior Mountain Marathoner
Euan Burns for completing the RAB mountain marathon (with his dad, Paul. No prize for Paul, sorry).
Junior Club Champion
Charlie Burnett for being fastest Carnethy in the Manor Water and Scald Law junior races.
Junior Contributer
Finlay Hartree For helping with the ALT C5, and encouraging many in his rugby club to come along.
Junior racer
Rosie, Ronnie and Solly Jones. Combined. For all the racing they’ve done this year.
Allermuir Junior Trophy
Charlie Burnett specifically beating his dad in the Caerketton Doonhiller. The AGM agree that this is probably the start of many wins against his dad, and also a sign of great things to come.
Seniors
The senior trophies were mainly voted for at the AGM. The exceptions are the Club Championship (earned), the Handicap Trophy (earned/swindled), The Radical Runner Trophy (Secretary’s choice, and very much earned), and the Wooden Spoon Trophy (definitely earned!). It’s been a great year with some outstanding successes, so it even being nominated should be considered a great success! Well, unless somebody suggested “Jim Hardie”, as that was clearly out of pity, and that pity didn’t actually extend to voting for him. Anyway…
Burns Scott Trophy
Margaret Forrest – for her fantastic editing of the Carnethy Journal!
Scald Law Trophy
Jasmin Paris – For being Jasmin, mainly. Secondly, for running the Bob Graham, Ramsay and Paddy Buckley rounds, setting records as she goes. Also, UTMB. And baking cakes.
JBF Trophy for Best Overseas Performance
The “Petite Trotte à Léon” team of Olly Stephenson, Jason Hubert and Graham Nash –
For running the Petite Trotte à Léon race. Additionally overcoming problems such as: breaking their spine (Olly), falling off a mountain beforehand (Jason) and being very hairy (Graham).
Carnethy Radical Runner Trophy
Special mention to Olly Stephenson for recovering from a broken back to run the PTL (only 9 weeks to recover!).
Special mention to Graham Nash for his winter(y) Ramsay, PTL and various other achievements such as 7 Hills and Beers record.
Special mention to Jasmin for her numerous runs, records, and races over the past year.
All outstanding.
The winner this year, I think defines the award itself. He didn’t challenge a race, he didn’t challenge a defined route, he done something different – he devised his own round. He plotted a running route round the top ten highest mountains in the UK, planned with very little support, he set himself a challenge a completed it with great success over several days. Yes, RUNNING, the whole way!
So, the winner is obviously
John Hammond
Club Championship
Digby Maass
Handicap Trophy
Lucas Lefevre
(many thanks to Phil Young for organising the Handicaps this year!)
The Wooden Spoon Trophy
Konrad Rawlik – Well…I’m not here to spread tittle-tattle, if you want to know why somebody got the Wooden Spoon award, you’ll just have to turn up at the next Carnethy Christmas Party!
Many thanks to Bob Waterhouse for collating all the stories of mishaps and misadventures and presenting them to the crowd!
I think I’ve used as much bold and italic formatting I can find, so I’ll stop typing now. Merry Christmas!!
Jim
At the Christmas party our President-elect once again set out how he intends to make Carnethy great again, to whoops and hollers from the gathered crowd. The wall around Hunter’s Bog will go ahead, although it may be a fence for some sections. There will also be a “complete shutdown of runners joining Carnethy from other clubs until our club’s representatives can figure out what the hell is going on”.
Over on the other side of the room there were still discussions about Carnexit, and what that means other than Carnexit. Jasmin is pushing for a Hard Carnexit, but has concerns Konrad may only be able to deliver a Soft Carnexit. She went on to say that the club wants a “red and yellow Carnexit”. Whatever all of it means, I for one am looking forward to the extra 350 beers a week that are going to be delivered to training sessions!
Anonymous
Party competition…
Thanks to Lisa for organising an excellent party at the new venue – Boroughmuir Rugby Club – with great food and bar.
Until the full report comes out try your hand at one of the competitions – The Alternative Alternative Carnethy 5, or How Well do you Know Your Pentlands?
6 hills (well it’s alternative, and nothing to do with the AltC5) with all names expunged. Answers on the Christmas Party page. It was won last night by Dorothy Elliott, just pipping Andy Spenceley after 2 tie break questions.
The other competition was Guess the Feet of the Committee – you are probably glad that I don’t have the photographs.
Tie breakers:
Answers: A – Allermuir, B – Carnethy, C – East Cairn Hill, D – Scald Law, E – The Kips, F – Turnhouse. Tie Breakers: A – Traprain, from the 1755 Roy Military Survey Map and B – Lammer Law
Carnethy Christmas Ceilidh and Awards – Monday 14th December 2015
Trophy Winners Page
Many thanks to those that attended the Carnethy Christmas Ceilidh & Prizegiving last night! I think it was a good evening, we certainly had a cracking band for it, an immense spread of food, and the guests were pretty special too. Last night was a tester, to see if that’s something we want to do again, so please get in touch with feedback if you have any.
As an aside, I’ve now learned that “dutch courage” and PA systems do not combine well! Who knew?! Every day is indeed a schoolday, sigh. Thankfully Willie and Mary were there to help me out, cheers!
Massive thanks to Mike Lynch for donating the beer for those that completed the championship.
Also, thanks to Helen and Andy for donating some trophies for the new junior prizes.
Finally, thanks to Matt Davis for donating some lovely headwear for junior prizes. All awesome, all well received!
Anyway, thanks again, and see below for a reminder of the trophy winners. For those that were not there, get in touch and I’ll pass on the prizes. Or, wait until the C5, I don’t mind.
Cheers!
Jim Hardie
Burns Scott Trophy
Winner
Iain Whiteside
Scald Law Trophy
Winner
Jasmin Paris
Allermuir Junior Trophy
Winner
Euan Burns
JBF Trophy for Best Overseas Performance
Winner
Helen Bonsor
Carnethy Radical Runner Trophy
Winner
Olly Stephenson
Club Championship
Winner
Stewart Whitlie
Handicap Trophy
Winner
Helen Wise
The Wooden Spoon Trophy
Winner(or loser, depending on how you look at it)
Digby Maass
Championship Completers (all earn a bottle of Scottish Long Coastal Relays beer)
Stewart Whitlie
Joanne Anderson
Digby Maass
Adam Anderson
Steven Fallon
Iain Whiteside
Helen Bonsor
Neil Gilmore
Colin Ledlie
Gordon Cameron
Alex McVey
Michael Reid
Neil Burnett
Liam Braby
Helen Wise
Best junior mountain marathoner
Winner
Euan Burns
Junior Carnethy Racer
Winner
Andrew Nash
Junior club championship
Winner
Euan Burns and Andrew Nash (tie)
Best junior contributor
Winner
The family Dunn (excluding parents)
Special award from outgoing Pentland Skyline race director Shane
Willie Gibson – completing race 21 times
Carnethy Christmas Party and Awards – Monday 15th December 2014
First we had a run up Castlelaw, following the beacon hats of Willie and Joel. There was a cold wind and a bit of a shower so we were glad to get back to Moira’s house after 2.5 miles. The food was really good and I don’t suppose I was the only one to eat too much.
The various Carnethy prizes were awarded – details below, and the ceremony was finished with a very funny recital by Bob W of the various stupidities up for consideration for the wooden spoon.
Amongst which, but nowhere limited to, were the runner from another club in another race who accidentally joined our Nine Mile Burn handicap; Charlotte Morgan’s erratic navigation whilst wearing a pair of magnetic gloves, Handicapper Phil Young losing the Arthur’s Seat Handicap results, Helen Wise trying to adjust her front mudguard with her foot while riding it and instead putting it through the spokes… But the winner, with a wholly believable tale <?>, was the membership secretary and a saga of mistaking the club secretary’s house, removed motorcycle leathers and farcical consequences.
Bottles of a special Carnethy brew by ‘Frisbee’ Jeff were awarded to all completers of the Carnethy Championship.
Many thanks again to Moira Stewart for hosting the throng.
Trophy Winners Summary 2014 – Trophy Winners pages are here
You may also notice the new Carnethy onesie being modelled!
Carnethy Christmas Party and Awards – Monday 16th December 2013
Time to get those jingle bells out and head out to Woodhouselee for the Carnethy Christmas party. An event not to missed, with a Santa run at 7.00
and return for festive food and the club prize giving from 8-00. Come celebrate the club’s achievements over the year – athletic prowess, club championship, best contribution to our happy clan and not least the wooden spoon. (Drum roll required).
To make this a success we are reliant on club members bringing a contribution of food and this will work best if you can let us know what you
intend to bring so that there is a balance between savoury and sweet dishes and no mince pie mountains. Moi and Cali will do usual salmon, veggie
spinach thingy, bulgar wheat salad, chicken drumsticks, Christmas boozy ice-cream. Other suggestions – salads of any type, crusty bread, pate,
quiche, fruit salad. I’m sure you think of lots of others if you wish to show off your culinary skills. Please e-mail Moira by Friday 13th to
let us know what you can bring so we can check there is a good balance of contributions. Booze and soft drinks welcome.
Please share transport if possible as there is not much parking space at the house. If you need directions and the address, please email Moira.
Look forward to seeing you all on the 16th.
Ho Ho Ho
Moira
2012
2011 report
The Christmas party and awards was held at Moira’s lovely house on Monday. No formal count of Carnethies was undertaken but there must have been around 40 members and friends so it was a super gathering of the great(ish) and the good(ish).
The evening started at 7pm with a gentle run returning for about 8pm. There was lots to eat and drink courtesy “membership donations” which seemed to go on throughout the evening. Club Chairman and T.V. star [The Adventure Show – Carnethy 5 episode], Gordon Cameron, presented the following awards with Bob J helping with some of the introductions:
i) For all those who completed at least 6 races from the Scottish Championship and the nine Carnethy-organised races – beer!
ii) Winner of Club Championship >> Helen Bonsor
iii) Winner of Burns Scott Trophy >> Olly Stephenson
iv) Winner of the Scald Law Trophy >> Jasmin Paris
v) Winner of the Allermuir Junior Trophy >> Iain Gilmore
vi) Winner of the new Carnethy Radical Runner Trophy >> Jon Ascroft
…see the Club Trophies page
Bob Waterhouse then introduced a new trophy for 2011, the Carnethy Wooden Spoon, awarded to the club member who makes the biggest fool of himself/herself during the year.
Contenders included Sam Hesling (getting lost (while leading) on the Devil’s Beeftub), Olly Stephenson (for mistaking the penultimate hill for the LAST hill on his awesome Ramsay round), Bob Johnson (for losing the podium in a team race when Sam Hesling et al had handed him a 5 minute lead).
The top three (by my ear) were as follows:
3rd –Gordon’s dog Cody for having a ‘refusal’ on one of the Esk river bridges (believed to have spotted a troll)
2nd –Willie Gibson for nearly wrecking about 10 grands worth of Hyper-analyser-particle-accelerator-thingey
1st –Digby Maass for smash and grab issues with the key to his van and bicycle maintenance (see journal)