I succeeded in running the 101st Ramsay’s Round on May 26-27, ably assisted by a clutch of Carnethies. Starting at 5pm to catch the best of the weather – 28C at Glen Nevis youth hostel with a lightning storm forecast for the following afternoon – and proceeding anticlockwise, I ran the Mamores unsupported, with Mark Hartree (and Sparky) providing outstanding static support at Luibelt shortly after midnight.
John Busby then ran with me into dawn to Fersit, where we were met by a team of Highland Hillrunners and several million midges. Mark Hartree was again on hand in the Grey Corries to offer support and a mobile massaging service when I was feeling particularly weak and feeble. Andy Fallas and Helen Bonsor were waiting on Stob Choire Claurigh thereafter. I met Chris Busby at Coire Bhealaich for the ‘last big climb’ (up Spinks Ridge) which is definitely not the ‘last big climb’.
The rain started on Ben Nevis but it did not matter by then. I was down in 22 hours and eight minutes. I appear to be crying in a photo at the end when I was actually recovering from a Cava-related injury caused by an exuberant Graham Nash.
Thank you so much to all the Carnethy runners who helped me fulfil a very long-held ambition. What a privilege it is to be among those 101 rounds.
A more literary report to follow. http://heightsofmadness.com
Jonny Muir