Richie Cunningham brought his tally to 317 miles of racing in 2008 so far when finishing 28th out of 245 starters in 3.23.39 at the Dudon Valey Fell Race on Sunday.
The race is one of the Long Classic series of English fell races, covering 20 miles around the head of the Duddon Valley in the lake district, with 6000ft of climb over Harter, Hardknott, Little Stand, Swirl How, Dow Crag, White Pike and Caw.
The weather was hot and sunny for most of the race making for tough going, although this meant the ground conditions were perfect for fast running. Richie still had some of the effects of Jura in his legs on some of the long climbs and he admits to starting to feel it in the last few miles but all in all had a very good race.
After Jura last weekend I was not to sure about this race and only made up my mind to run it on Friday. I headed up the A9 on Friday night and got there just as the sun was going down.
Saturday morning looked a bit misty and as the morning went on it burnt off to leave a really sunny day. Two weekends with great weather. People will think I’ve been away on my holidays with the tan I’m building up.
Here is the race profile from my Garmin so you can see what it looks like. (click on the thumbnail to see full size)
I really enjoyed the race which has some tough climbing and equally tough descending. It might not be as long as some races but I can certainly feel it in my legs today.
Best of all they laid on a massive spread of food at the end, worth travelling up just for that.
Thanks to Ross & Highland Hill Runners for putting on a well organised race.
I would certainly recommended it for next year. Let’s see if we can get a few more Hillbillies up there.
Despite conditions being akin to the AMERICAN WAREWOLF in LONDON the Taylor’s travelled to Crieff to take part in the race from the town square, up the “KNOCK” and around the forest a few times with the occasional steep climbs thrown in just to make things more interesting.
This years race was extended to just over the 5 miles due to forest work being carried out. The steep start then the long road section settles you in before you hit the paths to the KNOCK which is reached fairly quickly.
The mist made some sections in the forest quite interesting as visibility was severely reduced and at times a head torch would have helped !!
Judy ran out the comfortable ladies winner in a time of 36.14 whilst Garry returned home in 43.14.
Andy, Richie and I set off for Jura on Friday morning to arrive at the ferry just as they were closing the bow doors. We managed to talk them into allowing us to push our bikes up the gang plank. First hurdle over.
Once we got to Islay we transferred onto the small ferry for Jura. On getting to Jura the next challenge was cycling the 8 miles along to Craighouse with panniers and a rucksack into a head wind. Job done, we got our tents set up on the football field in front of the Jura Hotel.
Next morning after the compulsory kit checks we were off. It was a fantastic day with great visability and perfect running conditions if only a bit hot but who is complaining. I took quite a few photos on the way round to give you a sense of what the race is like when you are out there.
Here is the race profile.
After all the Hillbillies were in and Richie had won his sub 4 hour glass we decided we needed to replace some of the carbohydrates we had lost during the race. One more night under canvas and we made our way back via the ferries with a few snoozes on the way.
Thanks to all the organisers and the marshals out on the course for putting on a great race and also the locals for putting up with us.
For the record the Hillbillies times were:
24 Richie Cunningham S 3.58.01
161 Neil Campbell V40 6.12.16
173 Andrew Sim S 6.48.10
I’m going back again next year. Who else fancies it?
5 Harriers headed to Scotland’s most southerly MUNRO to compete in the Ben Lomond Hill race. The Taylor’s (us!) were joined by Sandy Bennet, Alison West and Neil Campbell. On the approach to Rowardennan, Loch Lomond was like a mill pond, the sun was shining brightly but the top of Ben Lomond was shrouded in heavy cloud as if saying, ” COME UP HERE, IF YOU DARE”
With all gathered for the 1pm start the sun dimmed it’s intensity but left a very muggy feel, almost as though thunder and heavy rain was about to appear. The horn went and the slog commenced. The first rise up through the woods then over the rock strewn paths splits everyone up into a very long conga. It is so strange to see the walkers watch in disbelief as you go by them and you can almost see the thought bubbles above their heads saying “YOU MUST BE MAD”.
The race covers 9 miles and the organisers take you off the easier tourist path on two occasions, just in case you start to enjoy yourself too much !!. Each route change took you up very steep grassy slopes rather than the zig zag path until you reached the summit cairn where the cloud had now cleared and the sun was shining. You also began thinking to yourself, “NOW I HAVE TO RUN DOWN NEARLY 3,200ft!!!”
On the way down Mr Taylor managed to go over on his ankle which brought tears to his eyes ( poor soul I hear you say!!!!)
All the 5 Harriers completed the event and first home in 1hr 24min 44secs was Sandy Bennet (26th place) followed in 63rd position and 3rd Female Senior in 1hr 36mins 43 secs was Mrs Taylor. Alison West having passed the hirpling Mr T was next in 1hr 49mins 25secs (86th) with Mr T just 5 secs behind in 1hr 49mins. 30secs (87th). Neil Campbell was 96th in 1hr 53mins 51secs.
Place Race # Time Name
10 -109 -2.38.30 RICHIE CUNNINGHAM M
24 -32 -2.47.48 TOMMY LAWENCE M
58 -28- 3.10.49 STEVEN KING M
106- 29- 3.43.39 COLIN REYNOLDS M
110 -25- 3.52.13 ANDREW SIM M
111- 26- 3.52.41 ALAN MACAULAY MSV
112- 81 -3.53.56 ALISON WEST FV
Nick Weir placed 31st in a field of 112 runners in the opening race in the Bog and Burn Hill Race Series at the Whangie Whizz Hill Race near Carbeth. Nick covered the 4 mile race with 800ft of climbing in 34.46.
I got a note from Richard who is organising a bike & hike/ hill running event on the Isle of Mull called the Mull Grand Traverse.
The Mull Grand Traverse is a fantastic adventure on one of the most beautiful Islands in Scotland. Bike and Hike across the Island taking in some of the most breathtaking coastal, mountain and forest landscapes Scotland has to offer.
The event registration & briefing will take place on Fri 22 August 2008 in Aros Hall, Tobermory.
Registration will open at 2pm and close at 10pm. Buses will transport everyone from the ferry terminal in Craignure to the Aros Hall in Tobermory for Registration.
The event will be held on Saturday 23 August 2008. The event will start at 7am on Tobermory High Street.
He thought some Hillbillies might be interested in taking part.
