It was with trepidation that I agreed to partner Helen for the GMC this year.
My knees and general fitness were not good, but sometimes you just have to get out there, so we entered the C Class.
With me having first dibs on Helen, Fraser asked his workmate (and Carnethy) Gregor to partner him in the B Class.
My first challenge was to get to Ratho (EICA) to meet Fraser at work at 5:30 and head north, Duncan was meeting us there too and we were picking up Helen in Perth. I decided to make this the first part of the challenge, I looked at the Bus options an the transport for Edinburgh app and it was complicated so I decided to freestyle. Bus-Pass in hand I headed out the door from Roslin and headed for the Number 15 Bus. I got off at Braidburn Park and cut across country to the Tesco at Colinton Mains. 7 Mars Bars and 7 Snickers bought I decided to go for the Number 20 on Lanark Road. Heading into Colinton Dell my OS map was not detailed enough to I was guided by a dog walker to the best exit point (outside assistance!). The 20 Bus took me to parts of Edinburgh I have never seen before and took 55 minutes to deliver me to The Bridge Inn. After 15 minute walk along the canal and I had made the first check point with 20 minutes to spare.
The drive north was wet and misty but after getting to Braemar we found a pub met Gregor and managed to hydrate well before heading back to the Hall to sleep.
Race day dawned and the weather was fine, but at the start there was a knee deep puddle to wade through after about 1 metre.
The GMC is a fun format, with Day 1 starting with a short Orienteering course leading you to a hill start, where you turn over your map to continue the mountain section, Day 2 is the reverse, it can be run in pairs or solo. But the best thing is that all your overnight kit gets taken to the camp for you. There is also food provided and somewhere warm to sit and eat too.
The Orienteering was straight forward and the day on the hill was lovely but with lots of heather and contouring. I am a bit of a haggis now, my knees preferring high ground to the right, but every slope was the other way round. Very little running was done but the route went well and after 5 hours on the hill we got to the excellent overnight to Muir Cottage.
We met the rest of the Carnethy Contingent pitched tents and ate, drank and got merry. With the wood burner going well inside I had a pleasant hour or 2 by the log burner in the cottage, while the hardy souls (Gregor, Fraser, Helen, Alex T and Duncan) sat outside socialising. The excellent food was served and after 3rds we retreated inside as the rain came on. Alex M and John headed to bed only to be woken 30 minutes later by the Event fireworks.
Day 2 started dry but it was good to put the wet tent back in the kit back and onto the trailer before walking the mile up the road to the start. A lot more climb than Saturday but better contouring took us back to Braemar in just over 6 hours, and again no route disasters. Helen and I only fell out once!
I would like to thank Helen for putting up with my continuous moaning and for waiting for me all the way round.
The hot tea and pastries at the end were welcome and the results showed a lot of Carnethy success.
Alex McVey and John Ryan were 4th int e A Class
Alex Toomey won the B Class (solo) and Fraser Gibson and Gregor Morrison were 9th with Duncan Davis (solo) one place behind in 10th.
Lorna Ascroft and Sarah Warren were 10th (and 2nd females) in the C Class and Helen Wise and I ended up 18th (3rd Mixed Vets).
It is a great event and I would recommend it to all, and as it is every 2 years you have tons of time to train for the next one.
Willie Gibson