Cross country running in Shetland

It's a Sunday morning in mid-January and there are men, women and children running through a burn at the Dale golf course just outside Lerwick. It's no more than 5ºC. There's a bridge directly over the burn.

But barely any runner uses it, opting instead to jump feet-first into the icy cold water and splash their way through instead.

Karl Williamson is one of the outliers – he admits he “wimped out” and took the bridge instead.

“I think it was frowned upon that I went over the bridge,” he adds.

Welcome to one of six winter race days for Shetland's cross country runners.

Race is a fairly inaccurate term for the actual events – it's more akin to a fun run between friends, which just so happens to include hills, mud and yes – cold-water burns.

Running over muddy hills in the face of snow, sleet and, more often than not, gale-force winds, may not seem like most people's idea of fun in a Shetland winter.

But those who take part in the cross country and trail running groups relish the opportunity to get out and about to shake off the post-Christmas blues.

The first race of the year saw a number of new members along with its usual stalwarts. Karl says he likes to keep fit but hadn't done any cross country running for a decade before taking part earlier this month.

“My two bairns did a cross country in December, and they said, 'dad, why don't you go in for it?'

“They were always on at me so it was just the bairns putting a bit of pressure on me that made go for it.”

Karl came third in January's first race, a more than credible performance for a supposed novice. He admits to finding it “tough-going”.

“You really have to concentrate on where you're putting your feet,” he says.

Stephanie Bain is a more experienced cross country runner, having started in January 2014. She agrees you “really have to have your wits about you” with cross country or trail running, and keep an eye out for “rabbit holes, unexpected burns and cliff edges”.

“In Cunningsburgh (where I live) I like to head up the peat hill where you often encounter grouse and hares, and you just feel miles away from everything,” she said.

“Another place I go that is easier underfoot is around Helliness. I love being near the coast and just looking out to sea, spotting more wildlife such as diving gannets, whales and neesicks (porpoises).

“It is just so humbling and makes me very grateful to live in such a spectacular place.”

She describes herself as “one of the slowest competitors” in the winter races, but says she “never feel that I shouldn’t be there”.

The races are organised by Charlotte Black, herself a keen runner and someone who has been cross country running for around 12 years.

“I was involved with the athletics club and it has always appealed to me,” she said.

“It's pure, you can't chase times or personal bests, there is no point in constantly checking your pace as you might do in road running because it is meaningless.

“The routes are varied and unpredictable which make it interesting.”

Charlotte says she find the locations “absolutely” more enjoyable than with normal road running – although she jokes she is “usually quite happy not to see” the Dale golf course after the sixth race of the winter.

She is also a keen trail runner, along with Susan Linklater, one of Shetland's top cross country runners.

Susan only started running when she retired from work around 10 years ago, but soon found herself enveloped into the cross country group.

“It was a good bunch of folk – the weather was usually pretty horrible but they didn't seem to care.”

She said that one of the “really nice things” about the group is that race days are “for all ages”.

“You don't have to run terribly competitively – we would encourage anybody to give it a try.”

That's something newcomer Karl, who has already said he will be at the next race, agrees with. “It's a really good group of folk, and a friendly atmosphere. It's not a competitive, cut-throat environment.”

Despite saying that, he admits to being swept up in the race on the day.

“It's just fun really. But when you're in a race and you see someone just in front of you start thinking, 'I want to catch them'. But it was just fun.”

Stephanie says there are massive health benefits to cross country running, aside from the obvious fitness aspects, calling it a “massive tonic” for her wellbeing.

“I suffer from anxiety, at some points quite significantly and life impacting, so heading into the hills or along the coastline really helps me ground myself and breathe in natures prescription.

“Being outside in all weathers, your heart and lungs pumping from getting through that heather or up those hills, really gives you the energy and mental boost to keep going.”

Charlotte says that cross country running might not always be enjoyable at the time when “your legs are burning from the hills and the hail is stinging your eyeballs”, but she adds: “The buzz and satisfaction when you are finished makes it enjoyable.”

What about the burn at the Dale golf course – do you always have to go through it?

The answer from Charlotte, Susan and Stephanie is a resounding yes.

“Never take the bridge,” Stephanie says. “Always go through the burn, it is much more fun!”

Charlotte says the burn is “always a laugh”, while Susan adds that while it “takes your breath away and you are hardly able to feel your legs”, she “always” goes through it anyway.

Karl knows now not to take the bridge. “I've learned for next time,” he concludes.