The Tradition
Following the Protestant Reformation in Scotland in the
latter half of the sixteenth century, it was considered irreverent to
celebrate dates of religious importance. Thus, merriment and
celebrations were reserved for Hogmanay (pronounced Hog-muh-nay,) this
important part of the year combined both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s
Day with a celebration of good will and good fortune. The use of the
term “first footin’,” according to legend, is as follows:
Fortune would smile on the household if the first person to set
foot in the doorway on the New Year was a young man; presumably tall,
handsome, healthy, dark haired, dark eyed, and bearing gifts (such as a
lump of coal for the fire.) Today it does no harm if the first footer
carries a bottle of his best and favorite beverage to offer his host a
drink and a toast, stating “Lang may your lum reek.” This traditional
Scottish salutation wishes its recipient long life and prosperity. It
literally means “long may your chimney smoke.”
Several towns throughout the hillsides of Scotland continue an age
old annual ritual of walking the town limits to restate or reclaim the
boundaries of the township.
These traditions have been adopted as part of the Rural Hill
Hogmanay (Scottish New Year) celebration, known simply as “First
Footin’”. Traditionally, the fulfillments of Hogmanay’s rituals and
folklore have assured good crops, good health, and good fortune in the
coming year.
History of Rural Hill and the First Footin’ Five Miler:
Rural Hill’s property dates back to 1765 when John Davidson, the son of Scottish Immigrants, first settled on land he had purchased from his father in law. Eventually John would become a Major in the Mecklenburg County Militia, sign the May 20, 1775 Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, and serve in the Cherokee Campaigns of the American Revolution. After the war Major John would become a wealthy planter and pioneer in the Lincoln County Iron Industry. Rural Hill continued forward in history as one of the most profitable plantations in Mecklenburg County until after the Civil War. At that point it transitioned to a family farm, remaining in the same Davidson family line until 1992, when the last surviving members of this line sold the property to Mecklenburg County. Today Rural Hill is one of the largest pieces of public property in the county and is managed by Historic Rural Hill, a nonprofit organization. Rural Hill continues to be utilized as a working farm, center for educational programming, and cultural events site.
Rural Hill’s property dates back to 1765 when John Davidson, the son of Scottish Immigrants, first settled on land he had purchased from his father in law. Eventually John would become a Major in the Mecklenburg County Militia, sign the May 20, 1775 Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, and serve in the Cherokee Campaigns of the American Revolution. After the war Major John would become a wealthy planter and pioneer in the Lincoln County Iron Industry. Rural Hill continued forward in history as one of the most profitable plantations in Mecklenburg County until after the Civil War. At that point it transitioned to a family farm, remaining in the same Davidson family line until 1992, when the last surviving members of this line sold the property to Mecklenburg County. Today Rural Hill is one of the largest pieces of public property in the county and is managed by Historic Rural Hill, a nonprofit organization. Rural Hill continues to be utilized as a working farm, center for educational programming, and cultural events site.
The First Footin’ Five Miler is held in conjunction with the First
Footin’ walk, a free family event held every year at Rural Hill as an
observance of Hogmanay, or Scottish New Years. The walk is led by Rural
Hill staff and circles around the property, ending at the cabin site
with a free meal of soup, fresh bread, baked goods, and much more.
The Race
As so often happens with me, I get completely and pleasantly surprised by many races that I sign up for last minute. This was no exception. I will say without hesitation, this is a race I hope to run yearly. Lots of fun and a really great way to start off a healthy New Year!
Things to remember about this race:
I confess the hills are short but they feel incredibly steep, perhaps due to the mud that makes you climb with more exertion. From START we headed due South, circling back to START where we turned around and headed due North, circling back to START for the FINISH. Unique route!
The START / FINISH is a single location. This is also where the dinner is served once the 11 AM walk has concluded. About 200 folks enjoyed a traditional Scottish bowl of 'stone soup' today and it was delish!
Although the Elevation map says "only" 325 ft. your body will tell another version of this story. This is a true trail run and fortunately, the trail is wide enough in all places to easily accommodate two runners side-by-side (for passing) and in many places wide as an open field (with flag markers to keep you on course). You will cross over two streets (not at an intersection) and both points are manned by volunteers. No one I spoke to measured a completed distance of 5 miles. All Garmin / phone app / GPS trackers got a minimum of 5.2 miles. I got 5.29 with Runkeeper, my running mate got 5.79 with Runkeeper, and a wonderful, single, handsome, Army Drone Instructor (yes, running has its perks!) got 5.2 with his GPS watch.
The t-shirts were black unisex New Balance Performance Tees with white lettering, wicking / waffle weave texture, and sponsor info on back. Great shirt for such a small race. Only 44 registrants this morning. 44 last year as well, although 2 were listed as DNF. Only 41 of the registrants actually ran this morning. Very impressed that race organizers chose a high quality shirt for this size event!
I was the final finisher, behind a very brave young man running with a metallic prosthetic left leg. All who saw his determination were so very proud of him. His Dad ran with him on the first half of the route and I believe his younger brother ran the second half. One thing I did not see on this route was small children (with this one exception, and he looked to be about 8 yrs old). The young man I ran behind was early teens and the only youth runner present for the entire race.
Final results and photos have not yet been posted. Will update later. At this point, my Runkeeper app has a personal finish time of 1:23:51 for 5.29 miles.
UPDATE 1/3/2014:
Official Time: 1:23:50
Results Here:
Things to remember about this race:
- 5 Miles is relative... if you only get that far, you didn't reach the finish
- You will smell sewage (START only - next door to Wastewater Treatment)
- You MUST wear trail running shoes (feet twisting 4 miles)
- There will be hills en route
- There will be mud en route
- There will be rocks en route
- There will be roots en route
- There will be fallen trees en route
- Great views filled with history
- You will listen for the distant sound of banjos
- You will cross three wooden bridges twice
- You will enter the START area three times (unique course)
- You will LOVE and EARN the t-shirt
- You will wear the smallest running bib I've ever seen
I confess the hills are short but they feel incredibly steep, perhaps due to the mud that makes you climb with more exertion. From START we headed due South, circling back to START where we turned around and headed due North, circling back to START for the FINISH. Unique route!
The t-shirts were black unisex New Balance Performance Tees with white lettering, wicking / waffle weave texture, and sponsor info on back. Great shirt for such a small race. Only 44 registrants this morning. 44 last year as well, although 2 were listed as DNF. Only 41 of the registrants actually ran this morning. Very impressed that race organizers chose a high quality shirt for this size event!
I was the final finisher, behind a very brave young man running with a metallic prosthetic left leg. All who saw his determination were so very proud of him. His Dad ran with him on the first half of the route and I believe his younger brother ran the second half. One thing I did not see on this route was small children (with this one exception, and he looked to be about 8 yrs old). The young man I ran behind was early teens and the only youth runner present for the entire race.
Final results and photos have not yet been posted. Will update later. At this point, my Runkeeper app has a personal finish time of 1:23:51 for 5.29 miles.
UPDATE 1/3/2014:
Official Time: 1:23:50
Results Here:
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