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?
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.
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.
52 Sandy Bennett MV40 00:43:18
58 Nick Weir M 00:43:47
74 Judith Taylor F 00:45:14
104 Robbie Mackenzie MV40 00:47:03
149 Andrew Sim M 00:51:22
156 Tommie Lawlor MV50 00:51:46
166 Garry Taylor MV40 00:52:06
180 Alison West FV50 00:53:51
221 Neil Campbell MV40 00:59:33
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
Over the next few weeks there are a lot of hill runs both during the weekends and during the week (see the calendar for details). If you are interested in running any recce’s or social runs during this time can you please let me know. Also if you have any suggestions for any routes or you would like to lead a run please let me know and I will get things organised for you.
