Three hardy Hillbillies, Richie, Neil & Alison, made the trek up to the Dufftown Highland Games for the Ben Rinnes 5 tops Hill Race.

Race Profile

It was a sweltering day and with 14 miles and 4900 ft of ascent nobody was over excited with the idea of running in the heat. Before the start many of the runners were seen seeking shade. Alison had forgotten her shoes and was fortunately able to borrow a pair from Jim at Fife AC.

The race was well organised and the course well marked with water at the 4 and 10 mile point. Having said that it is a tough and demanding course in particular the long descent from Ben Rinnes on a hard surface.

Some Photos HERE

It was a good race and I for one was really pleased when it was over.

Ben Rinnes 5 Tops Hill Race is part of the SHR Long series.

Results

Taken from The SHR site

Full results HERE

More Photos HERE

The positions in the Long Series after 5 Races HERE

Five Hillbillies made the treck up to Mull for the Mull Monsterette, Part of the SHR championships. It was a great day that was well organised considering the logistics needed to get so many runners registered, onto the hill and back safely. The weather was clear and very windy on the tops. A great race to practice your climbing as it just went up and up.

Before

After

A slide show of photos HERE

Race Profile

Carnegie Results

Position Time Name Category
22 02:06:25 Tommy Lawrence m
28 02:08:37 Sandy Bennet mv40
65 02:39:53 Andrew Sim m
82 02:56:55 Neil Campbell mv40
83 02:57:56 Alison West f50

Full Results HERE

flickr photos

This 1mile race with 1200ft of near vertical ascent through bracken and gorse attracted a Games record of 65 runners. The now typical summers day (breezy and cold) meant the narrow paths may be more congested than usual so the “get away from the track” and onto the start of the hill was going to be more important.

The starters gun fired and off the field went. Judy hoping to defend the BOFRA title she won last year keeping all the other females in her “sights” and me hoping it was not going to be as bad as it was last year.(So much for positive thinking at this stage) The lap around the games track then the “LOUP” over the park wall taking you along the road to the start of the hill got the large field almost into single file.

The going was tough as this weeks rain had made the paths very wet and slippy. Once over the fence at the golf club the only way is up. Although initially breezy and cool we both very quickly warming up!! The struggle to the summit seems like forever and near to the top it is so steep you are using hands to pull the grass (saves you falling downwards too!) to get you up where the mind wants you to go but the legs are struggling to agree!!!!!

Judy was only some 10yds behind the eventual race winner at the summit however just after reaching the marker she heard a loud crack after going over badly on her left ankle, which saw her lose ground on the descent. I am sure you can imagine how bad it is to come down with two good feet ( This year we both also wore padded cycling shorts to stop grass and bracken going into places its not supposed to!!!!)

She continued on and finished in a PB of 26.52 some 3.16 quicker than last year despite the ankle problem. She still managed 2nd lady. I managed to survive the descent in one piece and finished in a PB of 33.31, 1.29 quicker.

At the end the First Aid staff were in full swing as it appears as though the conditions had taken its toll on many of the competitors. Judy required their help and indeed that too of the Queen Margaret A&E on Sun morning. Nothing broken but very painful torn ligaments diagnosed.

Here’s to the 2009 race and hopefully a few more Harriers being there. Grand Prix event maybe??

Garry & Judy Taylor

Saturday 5th July - Dollar Hill Race

The Lairig Ghru Race lived up to its usual reputation of uncertain weather ranging from baking heat to wind and rain during the course of the event. No hail stones were reported which can only be a plus.

Check out Phil’s FULL report HERE

On Saturday Andrew and Neil headed off to Arrochar for the SHR Long Classics series race, The Arrochar Alps.

This is a great race that takes in 4 Munros and if you are not ascending you are descending.

We were treated to a “selection” of weather and being able to navigate was essential as there were a few parts of the course where there were no marked routes and you could hardly see your hand in front of your face.

Results

Photos HERE

Link to SHR full report, results and more photos HERE

Seven Hillbillies made the trek down to Dumfries and Galloway for the Durisdeer Hill race. Tommy L , Steve K, Kenny M, Andy S, Alison W, Neil C and Sandy B.

Gregor was shouting, “What took you so long!”

We were rewarded by great weather and a well organised race, new course records with a great feed at the end. Perhaps a theme emerging here. Thanks to Adam Anderson of Carnethy the race organiser for a great race and loads of cakes.

Race Profile (click for larger image)

The registration and cake eating were both in an old church and the latter sitting amongst the headstones of the graveyard. Quite symbolic.

There was a record race entry of 300. Normally it is a much smaller field.

Some Photos from Tommy HERE

I don’t have full results yet. Winners HERE

Thanks to Chris Upson & SHR we have a whole bunch of photos HERE

Full Carnegie results soon.

What is Steve King thinking? HERE

Answers in the comments section

What a great weekend!!

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?

Photos of the race HERE

Full Race Results HERE

Photos also on Flickr HERE

The opening event in the 2008 Buff SkyRunner World Series took place from Berga, Catalonia, Spain on Sunday at the Mountain Marathon of Berga.

This gruelling event over 37km involved an elevation gain of 2960m.  Our experienced SkyRunner Andy Symonds placed 4th overall in the 2007 World Series and Andy has got his 2008 campaign of to a superb start placing 5th overall and leading GB runner in 3.31.32 at this opening event in the six race series.

Well done to the Hillbillies who enjoyed a great day out at Ben Lomond. The weather was kind and the views were great.

26 Sandy Bennet M40 01:24:44
63 Judith Taylor F 01:36:43
86 Alison West F50 01:49:25
87 Garry Taylor M40 01:49:30
96 Neil Campbell M40 01:53:31

Full race results HERE

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.

Gaz & Jude