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14 Thursday July 9, 2020 Eskdale & Liddesdale Advertiser www.eladvertiser.co.uk

MTAF’s virtual competitors

IT HAS been a strange time “We have a very strong “It’s a tough route at the
over the last few months brand and people associate best of times but more so
and the Muckle Toon it with great challenges.” when there’s no one to race
Adventure Festival team Muckle Toon Jogger Liz against or any cheery mar-
have hugely missed their Forsyth completed the half- shalls to give you a boost.
event and seeing people marathon. “Hopefully, normal service
enjoy taking part. can resume in 2021 because
This year the team took to it’s a real highlight of the year
social media to promote an for many.”
online virtual event in which Lesley-Ann Calvert of
everyone could take part Dundee completed the virtual
remotely. 5k.
Virtual MTAF offered indi- She said: “My father-in-law
viduals the opportunity to run was the Rev Tom Calvert,
5k, 10k or half-marathon dis- previously minister in
tances, cycle or mountain Langholm, and my mother-
bike a personal challenge or in-law, Elizabeth, lived there
take to the hills to complete She said: “Pauline Irving for many years after he died,
a 1, 3 or 5 summit challenge. and I did it together. I’m not before moving south.
On completion, participants sure whether Pauline signed “Our kids and my husband
posted selfies to social media up to do the virtual or was and I spent many holidays
and received their MTAF just chumming me. staying in and exploring the
medal, buff and bike bottles “I wanted to support MTAF hills around Langholm.
through the post. and get a medal because “Over the past couple of
The team have been over- nearly all my other races this years the kids and their part- Lesley-Ann Calvert completed the virtual 5k in Dundee
whelmed by the number of year have been cancelled.” ners have come back and
people taking part, with more Martin Thomlinson, one of run the half marathon which
than 100 entries from all over the Muckle Toon Sloggers, was fun for them to relive been great timing for me be- of Carlisle, who did the half- Other local runners included
the country. said: “With no MTAF for childhood memories. cause I started running again marathon, Elaine Bramwell Sarah Phillips, Kristy Blaen
Secretary Dawn Lamb says obvious reasons this year, “For me, the virtual MTAF regularly during lockdown. of Johnstone PA5, 5k, Joanne and Kate Millar.
The MTAF team would like
Gillfinan of Jedburgh, half-
“It was a good motivator to
“It has been lovely to see so the next best thing was a was an easy way of finally get to 5k again. It was also marathon, Lewis Black and to thank the amazing locals
many people taking part on- virtual one. earning an MTAF medal with-
line. “I decided to do the full half- out having to tackle those good that I could do it in my Alexandra Gonzales of who continue to support the
“It goes to show how loved marathon race route with an hills.” own schedule. I run better Dumfries, half-marathon and festival and hope they can
the festival is and how much early start at 6am to try to Emma Duncan of early in the morning.” Erin Grant of Langholm who all continue to enjoy the great
Others who took part were
did the 5k with mum, Aileen
outdoors in a responsible and
people have missed it this avoid meeting too many on Langholm, who ran the 5k, David and Morag Thompson Grant. safe way.
year. the paths and trails. said: “The virtual event has

Muckle Toon Joggers Pauline Irving and Liz Forsyth
Emma Duncan started running again during lockdown Martin Thomlinson of Muckle Toon Sloggers
took on the half-marathon