Six Carnethies and social members ran the Cateran Trail 55 Mile Ultra Marathon on Saturday the 17th May making a good chunk of the 68 starters. All were somewhat in awe of the 13 super-humans that started the first 110 mile ultra in Scotland, some of whom we met at breakfast at their halfway point, or along the way doing the route anticlockwise and then turning around and doing it all again clockwise. It looks like 6 completed the full route which was blitzed by Mike Ruffan in 22.5 hrs and who looked fresh as a daisy when we met him (in the shower!!)
The weather was overcast and the paths were thankfully pretty dry overall. I had recee’d the route so set off at a comfortable pace and ran well early on until Graham Dunbar sprinted past me like he was on a Park run, making me think I must be very slow. A minor deviation in Glen Isla caught me out and 4 people overtook me while I diverted back to the marked route. Later, Graham Dunbar passed me a bit miffed that he had made the same mistake, if not worse. He ran off and I ran with Cathy Henly and then Olly Stephenson with some interesting chats with various runners along then way in the first half. Each 110 miler was given encouragement, a pat on the back and best wishes and luck.
With a sore toe, I was so glad to have a change of shoes and socks and TLC at Aylth which is just under half way, plus a Muller rice and sports drink, tea and banana thanks to an old pall Jugs Jones who turned up to egg me on. Stopping for so long meant Kathy got ahead and I didn’t see her or Graham again. Olly had disappeared so I figured he was off ahead. Other Carnethies didn’t appear so I headed for Blairgowrie so pleased I had changed of shoes and socks on the tarmac section. On the long hill out of Blairgowrie I met Morgan Windram-Geddes, an American girl who was doing the 110. She seemed to be suffering and a bit cold so I gave her a re-assuring hand walking up the hill. She was second at the time and had been going really well but now was suffering from a sore achilles. I offered tape and anything else I had but it looks like she retired soon after (my charm didn’t help after ~90 miles).
At Bridge of Cally, Olly arrived behind me again, having taken the wrong route between Aylth and Blairgowrie. I shared tea with him (courtesy of Jugs) and then tried to mix tea, lucazade and beer with little success, losing it all again very quickly in front of the marshalls. The next 11 miles to Enochdhu we ran together and saw no other runners but said hi to Mark and Helen Legget who were at an obscure marshal point. This is one of the best sections of the run and Olly and I chatted and bobbed along enjoying the misty drizzle that was cooling us in the warm afternoon. A domestic stop gave Olly a lead and as I got to Enochdhu he was quickly leaving with Nick Mardall. A check of the watch explained – he was going for sub 10 hrs perhaps? I had one more rice and sports drink and headed off with 66 mins to do 6 miles and 1100ft ascent to get under 10 hrs. That was possible…but after 49 miles? I tried and ran up nearly everything and hit sub 4.6 min/km on the descent but at the last stile, the 10hr mark passed and I sprinted for the finish line to the cheers of those milling about. What a great route and race. Entering the bar was great as everyone applauded and drinks offered (thanks Nigel). Everyone after got the same treatment which was a nice thing. We waited and cheered as Olly H, Jason, Conor and Chris arrived.
Here’s how the Carnethy’s did:
Olly Stephenson – 11th
Mark Hartree – 14th
Ollie Harrison – 17th
Jason Hubert – 31st
Conor Cromie – 39th
Chris Henty – 42nd
CHRC Social members
Cathy Henly – 8th
Graham Dunbar – 9th
Thanks to all the organisers and marshall’s and the Spittal Hotel. Full results at: http://cateran55ultra.webnode.com
Any takers for next years 110…?
Mark Hartree