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The Ben Race 2007
A personal account !
I've lost count the number of times I've
been up Ben Nevis, it's at least 20, but this was the first time
I was running up it in the race. I usually
head up Britain's highest mountain starting from the Youth Hostel, but
the race sets off from the Claggan playing-fields a good mile further
back. |
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We set off and after running around the running-track, we continued
onto tarmac for around a mile - yuk ! Bruce and I pushed each other
along up to the car-park. Through the gate, onto the pony track, many
onlookers cheered us all on. Gradually I started to regain positions
lost on the tarmac. |
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Before the first zig-zag, a few of us branched off and followed
HBT's Dan Gay up a wet mucky shortcut through ferns. We re-joined
the main group in about the same positions, the shortcut having made
no difference ! Just before the turn at 500m, a tent-sheltering Robin
Morris, shouted out "Carnethy runner ! Come on Carnethy" - obviously
not recognising me. |
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We branched off the main track and took a shortcut on wet boulders
and grass to then carefully trot over the main burn. Uphill, straight
into the mist - a real pea-souper, you couldn't clearly see the runners
ahead. I passed several runners including Jamie Thin, Chris Upson
and Manny Gorman to pull alongside Angela. I couldn't see anyone infront,
so just had to guess the route - I really hoped I was going the right
way, if not, I could see me being cursed by all the runners that were
now following me. |
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At last the summit with TV crew - hand over the tag and get into
downhill mode. There was no chance of going the wrong way in the mist,
just look for the runners still coming uphill - there were hundreds
! Out of the mist, I was directed down another way on wet slippy grass
which shortcuts around the path over the main burn. Onto the main
path and back the same way, lots of folk had turned out to support
and one informed me I was tenth. Back onto the road, the last mile
was just a case of hanging on in, as all my strength had been spent
on the hill. I was passed by one runner. ! |
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The playing fields were entered and a crowd cheered on all the runners.
I'd finished feeling suprisingly fine, but more importantly was intact
having not fallen once. Angela was the next Carnethy runner home -
clean and intact, followed by Garry Macinnes sporting bloody knees
and lots of muck. Bruce Smith had a tussle with Craig Mitchell from
Lochaber just yards from the line. Colin and Joan Wilson both set
pb's on their 24th race of the year and their grins told all. Tucking
into cake, I missed Derek Paton's and Richard Hessey's strong finishes,
but saw Gavin Thornley push hard to the end.
Steven Fallon |
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All the Carnethy runners did the race in under 2:30 - well done
! |
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