The club has had many excellent hill runners like the Shields twins, international runners like Brian Potts and Ian Murphy and other top class runners like Andy Dytch and veteran Brian Edridge, but also including women such as Cathy Farrell, Shelagh King, Marjorie Small, Susanne Niedrum and Christine Menhennet. They held several ‘Come and Try Hill Running’ days at Old Kilpatrick in the mid-90’s aimed specifically at women. They were successful. It is surprising how many women find that they actually like running on the hills, away from the traffic and the crowds down below. We are fortunate to have the Kilpatricks on our doorstep. When I followed the Highland Fling two weeks ago, it was really surprising to find how many women of all ages were taking part.
A new book has appeared which details the gradual acceptance of women in hill races – and their welcoming and the having their presence in all sorts of hill races sought alongside the male side which traditionally dominated. Initially rebuffed, then tolerated anf finally welcomed in races of all distances. It is called “Voices from the Hills” and has been written by Steve Chilton who has written several books about fell running, starting with the aptly titled “It’s a Hill, Get Over It!” Well worth a look – get it from your library. Even if you are not into hill running, even if you don’t want to even try it, it is a great story of women’s struggle acceptance more essentially in society.
But if Clydesdale Harriers men and women were running in the Lairig Ghru, the Great Wilderness Challenge and the Bens of Jura in the 80’s and 90’s, why not give it a try – starting in the Kilpatricks!
