Big thanks to the organisers of the race. Well marshalled and marked, and run in better conditions than last year. Results
Willie’s Report –
With The Highlander in my legs I turned up at Stuc with a good excuse on to find loads of Highlanders there.
Helen had managed to talk me into doing the race on our Dreghorn Reccie on Thursday, where Digby was adamant that he wouldn’t be there. But who was the first person we saw?
The race started on time on calm and clear conditions, the long (2.3 mile) uphill track run was longer than ever, but once on the hill it was a great race. Water stops every couple of miles and lots of Carnethy Vests to follow.
The slither into Glen Ample got me well muddied, and the climb up Beinn Each was the usual procession with the hill running equivalent of a caravan holding up the traffic (Matt Jones!). Fighting past rudely in the tussock gained me lots of places and I passed Joan at the same point as last year. Once the ridge was made the running is technical but fun, with more climb than I remember. I overtook Matt on the climbs and he got me back on the descents until the main climb. Prasad appeared leading the race well ahead Paul Faulkner was in 3rd.
The last climb was hard work and for the first time we got into cloud just at the summit, I turned with Chris Henty and started the run down. It is a great run off with lots to think about and approaching the col I passed Helen and Digby on the climb. Bouncing down into Glen Ample I was looking forward to the last climb. The crossing of the grassy muddy ridge seemed to go on and on, but once I was back on the forrest track it was purgatory.
I ran in in about 3:28, 7 minutes faster than last year.
The soup at the end was great. Carnethy did well in the prizes with Paul Faulkner third (1st V40), Stewart Whitlie 1st V50 and Hilary Holding first fv40.
Willie’s Photos