So, being the last of the 4 Carnethy runners to finish, it fell to me to write the race report! On the 15th of February in the Mountains of Ras Al Khaimah Stewart, Paul, Paddy and I found ourselves in the dark preparing to face the challenges of the heat, the mountain climbs and the boulder ravines.
Before I get to the actual race itself, I need to go back to the start… Paul contacting Stewart to suggest a wee holiday trip out to visit the family in the UAE, whereupon dates being confirmed further messages suggesting a nice race. At this point I should perhaps have read all the race information in a slightly more thorough manner, but nevertheless, the race entry was agreed. Paul, unfortunately, due to injury felt he could only complete the 30k, however encouraged Stewart and I to continue with the original plan to take on the 50k race.
In the week before we headed off I thought I should probably have a little look at the race route and the kit list etc. Alarm bells started ringing when I discovered that part of the mandatory kit we had to carry was ‘a small pocket knife’. No explanation, so upon reading the race info I decided that the knife was for either a. dealing with the snakes or scorpions we were likely to encounter on our adventure, b. cutting off a leg when it became trapped in loose rocks in the boulder field or c. dealing with any unfriendly locals! I am glad that I still have no idea what the knife may have been required for.
Then, further alarm bells when Stewart very kindly explained just how big the climbs were going to be and also stated that he was unable to teach me how to read a map and use a compass well enough before the race, so I should just try and run with someone so that I didn’t get lost.
Starting in the dark with the headtorches at 5.30am when it was already around 15 degrees was a clue as to how things were going to warm up as we began the assent of Jebel Janas to 1000 metres. It was a really nice steady incline on a very runnable track for the first 7km and then as it started to get light the views were spectacular. Looking back down the track watching the lights of the headtorches begin snaking their way up the mountain proper. The climb was straightforward, well marked, and continued onto a long path along the ridge with great views and small villages and ruins. Slightly challenging razor sharp stones which cut up your trainers and feet at points was the only down side. This was followed by a lovely runnable descent for around 12k down the mountain to checkpoint 3 (the 30k finish). And this is absolutely where my race should have ended!!! But no… Next was a very, very slow climb up Jebel Yibir to just over 1200 meters at 44km, 32 degrees was way too hot for me and trying to find some shelter from the sun became my only goal, along with rationing the litre of water that I was carrying, which became apparent was not enough. Once we took on more water at the last checkpoint there was a little more climbing before we started to descend even more slowly than I ever thought possible back down to the 50k finish through an endless number of switchbacks through a never ending boulder field of sharp stones. At the race briefing the organiser said you would go through every emotion on the last 5k and I didn’t really understand what she meant. I do now. Oh my goodness. Still traumatised by it. If it hadn’t been for Stewart appearing with cold juice I’m not sure I’d have made it over the finishing line. Anyway, I’d totally recommend the 30k Hajar Urban Ultra, my advice for the 50k would be to proceed with caution!!
Massive well done to Paul, Stewart and Paddy though for their outstanding running and ability to finish before the heat of the day.
Results: Paul – 30k winner (2h:30m:39s), Stewart – 50k winner (6h:8m:24s), Paddy – 5th place 50k (6h:48m:33s), Pam – 6th female 50k (10h:29m:09s)
Pam Whitlie