What can i say another epic. Race 2 of the CAAC PAPs, Back to Basics proved to be both a demanding and dastardly adventure for all runners. The rather bonny day started with a brief safety briefing the contents of which were as the aforementioned -brief. Two of our less reliable navigators were labeled up with 'Return to Sender' labels and with the now usual map scramble they were off. 

The route was a that of sinuous turns up and down the paths and roads of Corstorphine Hill and the surrounding area, reaching as far as Drumbrae Road and as low as Ravelston Park. I was joined by my fellow support team members Nick (aka the Panda with all the dance moves) and Kerry (videographer for the day), we managed to skip around to really take in the and enjoy the race too. Our first sighting of the action was with the backdrop of a glorious vista halfway up Kaimes Road at CP5. Moray, Steven and Andrew were together through here and  tasked with giving new club mascot Pandy Andy a High-5. The race was on, with Alex Cumming reigning CAAC PAPs champion putting in a power of work to keep them in his sights. Coupled with the fact they all navigated safely through CP3 where i had mistaken my Belmonts and Beechwoods they were all going very well. The entire field passed through in a short 5minute window book ended by the Susan, Fiona and Deano combo who gave the warmest welcome to Pandy Andy with hugs all round.

CP5 done we pitched into car with the fully assembled CAAC flag being flown from the open passenger side window. The arrangement could definitely catch on! We managed to hoover up Mickey on Clermiston Road for the first time, as he was about to tip dangerously down off course giving him a subtle nudge in the right direction. Fully set up at CP13 where a bus stop code was on the shopping list, we were momentarily entertained by two runners about to do a 5K rep round the hill with 25kg kettle weights in each hand - mental (and mental note for next event ;P). Steven had put his foot to the floor and opened up a sizeable lead, leaving the CP before Andrew was close. Andrew scored highly on his departing style - leaping over the barrier with ease. As he left Moray arrived stating, "This isn't going too well". The sentiment was further cemented by the trio of Kris, Keith and BC ( Yes BC!?) arriving close on his heels. Next through was Alex firmly in the lead of the sweatiest competitor mini competition. Unfortunately at this point we had to leave here to setup the finish but from the after reports, incisive navigation had brought Fiona, Susan and Dean into the slipstream of Chris Peggie dispensing along with the wayward Messer's Breen and Fletcher.

The route over to CP14 included the direct route cross country to the Down'N'Up midway marker at the back of Corstorphine Hill. The traverse finally bent the will of Andrew who refused the near vertical descent which cost him a lot of time and also finished Susan's race her toenailless battle was scuppered by a quad twinge. Andrew then did some showjumping in the Horse's field before being royally dissed by BC and Kris who running hand in hand kept quiet when seeing him going the wrong way... i think they may both live to regret that on a Juniper Green leg in the future ;] Our route to the finish an 800m drive let us catch sight of one of the aforementioned lost souls, Mickey on Clermiston Road. Smiling though miles away from any checkpoint! ;]

CAAC flag set up, music setting the scene and refreshments in the shape of PAP of the TAPS - 'AFTERMATH' and Swizzell's sweeties ready. We waited at the finish fully expecting to see Steven appear first down from CP18 at the tower. We were flummoxed therefore when an absolutely legging it Moray Anderson appeared. Looking around desperately and sprinting every step to the line - he broke the tape in 66m08s to go one better than in Race 1 of the series and take the Title outright. After jubilant scenes were had with Andy Pandy he was quick to tell us, "Stevie has really messed up he left the tower as i arrived". A few minutes passed before we were then alerted to a steaming cannonball on the horizon - CAAC PAPs champion 2011 Alex Cumming had efficiently cut through the masses and stormed into the finish to take 2nd place, and just has he stopped the big wheels turning Stevio meekly appeared from leftfield to take 3rd. He had ran to the wrong finish, seeing us at CP13 he had put 2 + 2 together to make a 5... Next there was a real battle down the hill BC finishing hard was unable to match the speed of a resurgent Kris Berry and as they crossed the line Keith popped out to the right of the field to narrowly miss joining in on the battle. 

After his disconnection from the sharp end, Andrew left to his own devices found the last section a little hard this was confirmed by his arrival 5 minutes later from the long way home direction of Cairmuir Road. Next in was the gruppetto of Fiona, Dean and the latter of which Chris who was laying down the pain in the last 100m to slingshot past his second half race guides and steal the march to the line. Dean and Fiona must have had the most efficient run of everyone, Mr.Carr's GPS powered by Russian Satellites got his route choice at 8.8 Miles - first class navigation especially seeing i had guesstimated the optimum to be around 8.9!

With the steady arrival of finishers over with we then set about trying not to drink all the Aftermath whilst we waited, and waited - and waited. There was disbelieving chatter that a navigator such as Graeme had been brushed aside. However on appearing from the tried and tested Andrew Christy approach route ie the long way round and being marshaled into the finish by Andy Pandy it was clear the long way had been the Fletcher way for it all. His route choice at a massive 11.5Miles! 

Mickey a local. OK - a Dumfries local. OK - he can find his sock drawer if the lights are on. Was then almost posted missing. Not having his mum and dad's phone number i took to Twitter to check out #mickeyorbc. No luck. We then sent out the mini search party and thankfully we were lucky. To his credit he vowed to run the route himself and all for the mini paths of Corstorphine Hill which proved elusive he got it. Found on Kaimes Road and pointed to the Tower and CP18 he was soon at the finish. Result, he did it the hard way but will know the way better next time. 

To top it off we nipped to the White Lady to enjoy a late brunch - 4minutes too late though for the breakfast bargains. Be wary of Wetherspoons till times! This transition proved to be too much for our President who's composite time for the day balooned and he missed the luncheon completely. Fun was had by all!

Prizewinners on the day were Dean Carr - Tin O' Haggis for Best foreignish import in a PAPs race 2012. Keith Hood - Cufflinks for 6th and 'Middle Person Fine'. And finally another puzzle a Rubik's Sudoku for Moray Anderson for taking down the victory, display of the completed cube requested at the startline of the next race in the series please! ;]

As for replaying the day further Nick has a great set of photos already online at the CAAC Facebook page, for some 'were live' updates pop over to the CAAC Twitter account and finally i hope to have a wee video up here soon.
Results @ http://www.caac.org.uk/stats?Meeting=CAAC%20PAPS%20:%20Back%20to%20Basics.

Original thread : http://www.caac.org.uk/2012-04-24/caac-paps-race-2-back-basics