Slieve Donard Friday 23rd June

A race up Northern Irelands highest Mountain, total climb of about 2700 feet within 2 1/2 miles, on a sunny Friday evening among 72 other like minded souls - what could be better?

The race starts with a run along Newcastle main street beside the sea and then turns right into Donard Park, straight through the park, out the back and up the conifer clad lower slopes. The runners take a variety of routes through the trees. Followed one of the larger groups trying not to get lost. As the runners emerged from the forrest most joined the same "Black Stairs" route up the open hill climbing all the time.

It is a slow jog / walk at first then as the route steepens its hands, knees, teeth and nails as you scramble up a faint sheep track through the crags which give the route its name. Back to a jog / walk as the slope then undulates its way towards a steep loose boulder field which nearly brings you to a halt. Once clear of the boulders the gradient eases and you can begin to jog again up a wide rocky whaleback ridge to the top, a bit sore on the feet.

Round the massive summit cairn and pick up the pace, still a bit sore on the feet. Managed to pass 3 runners before the slow clamber through the boulders then its brakes off down the open moor avoiding rocks and holes where possible.

No one directly in front to follow so keep having to stop and pick out runners in the distance, luckily find the same path back through the crags and pick off another runner who chose a slightly different route which seemed to involve more sliding than scrambling.

Once back into the forrest take a different route from the way up and get a bit lost. This turns out to be a poor choice as a stoney/rocky path slows it down. Doesn't last long though as extra effort is soon needed to keep the pace going which means..... back on the flat and nearly finished, its a steady run back through Donard Park and along the road to finish 54th out of 73 in just under 84 mins.

Couldn't have picked a better evening to try this race in its 62nd running since 1945, one of the 30 plus races in what looks like an excellent and varied NIMRA calendar.

Polaroid 10k Sun 18th June

Back on to the road for this slightly hilly 10k, near perfect conditions, cool, light rain. The start was further back along pier road this year, must have been short in previous years??

Set off at a reasonable pace & kept it going until between 4k & 5k. Took it easy for a bit and then tried to pick the pace back up after Davy Grahams corner but only lasted a couple of minutes and gave up again, jogged along to finish just under 45 mins, there's always next year.

Ben Sheann Wed 14th June

Starting in Strathyre, Ben Sheann was run on a cool summers evening. A new course this year about 3 miles overall which is about 1/2 a mile longer than previous years but more runnable. Total climb of about 1400'. A short sharp race to get the legs moving after Glen Rosa.

It's a jog / walk routine on the way up on pine needle covered paths through the forrest popping out near the top for a last push up a steep grassy gulley, over the top and back down a steep zig zag path and through the obligatory bog before plunging back into the forrest for a fast as you dare run which is fine apart from the large rocks which weren't there on the way up appearing from around corners and behind trees , oh and you need to avoid the odd precipice beside the path.

Finished in 41 1/2 mins about 4 minutes slower than last year. The real bonus this year was the (relatively) friendly midges. Previous years have seen runners grow midge beards by the time they finish the race. Try it for yourself next year!

Glen Rosa Horseshoe Sat 10th June

SHR Long race, 13 miles & 5500' of climb on a hot & sunny Sat afternoon in June. The race comprises 3 major climbs over Bhenn Chilabhain, Cir Mhor, and the 2 Goat Fell tops on a Mountainous circuit of Glen Rosa. There are 7 checkpoints where runners deposit tags ensuring the route is followed and so that runners can be tracked to help ensure their safety. A few pictures of the route taken by Adrian G in the Galeria.

The race starts in the grounds of Brodick Castle and runs back towards Brodick before cutting into Glen Rosa. The run into the Glen was windless and hot but ended with a refreshing splash at the bridge before heading up Bhenn Chilabhain, the 1st climb of the day, about 2000'. Various route choices here, chose the middle one, straight up, on the day seemed a good choice as gained a few places over some faster runners. Possibly due to the dry underfoot conditions, a more normal day would have seen strength sapping boggy ground. Thankfully a breeze kicked in a few hundred feet up but not before someone a few places ahead gave up due to the heat. Ran along the lower ridge then up a steep climb to the top ridge and the 1st checkpoint.

At the end of the ridge the route is (thankfully) flagged into Coire Daingean, very steep descent, mountain goat stuff. Once into Coire D. its a contour on rough heather and boulder clad slopes under A Chir into Fionn Choire, the occaisional sheep tracks and cooling streams helping on this difficult section. Then its Straight up Fionn Choire towards the coll, again dry underfoot helps the straight up route, steep climb up to the Coll and cp2. CP3 is reached with a steep climb up Cir Mhor total climb from Fionn Choire of about 1500'.

From the top of Cir Mhor its back down to the coll, cp4, and then back into Fionn Choire keeping as high as possible for a 2nd difficult contour, this one round under Cir Mhor and then up to the saddle, between Glen Rosa and Glen Sannnox and cp5. Came across an older couple at the saddle with the man in a bit of trouble, not feeling too well, let the Arran Mountain rescue know where he was, heard later on that he was having a heart attack, hope he is ok.

Now for the final 1500' of climb.

Up the ridge to North Goat Fell with a few scrambles along the way, then picking your way along by the rocky Stacach section, got stuck here, on the slabs, before seeing other runners on a path below and followed them up towards Goat Fell and cp6. Cramp kicked in going up GF, feeling a bit sorry but not too bad. A short rest near the top seemed to ease it off. From GF its a 3 mile run back to Brodick Castle, the 1st 1 1/2 miles on a foot crunching rocky path to cp7 then back onto a seemingly endless, windless, undulating forrest track before popping out for a quick run down a couple of fields to the finish.

Spectacular scenery with 1st class organisation on a scorching day made for an unforgettale experience, finishing in just over 4 hours - nearly 1 3/4 hours behind the winner.

Old Kilpatrick Hill Race Wed 7th June

Went for an easy run out on this bog and burn race in warm, dry & sunny conditions, probably good chance for a pb but took it easy in view of impending Glen Rosa on Saturday. Only other problem was the severe cough when effort increased to normal race pace...hope this goes away for GR.

Jogged up the road and then walked most of the first climb, as the path levelled out started to jog again. Kept going without getting out of breath over the moor and onto the farm road. Once off the track the route is a bit less smooth and had to work at minimising effort to avoid getting out of breath and the coughing fit which would follow.

Better path round the loch apart from the rocks but ok and walked 3/4 the way up the 2nd climb as well. Jogged the last part and ran from the trig point off the hill via the coffee table and back down to the road, steady pace back to the finish in just over 64, faster than expected, maybe there's something in taking it easy!

Scolty Hill Race Sun 4th June

Taking part in the 2nd race in this years SHR championship meant a long drive for a short race, a round trip of nearly 300 miles. The race was taking place a mile outside Banchory about 20 miles north of Fettercairn.

Over 100 runners took part in the race which involved a double ascent of Scolty hill, and was run on forrest track and most combinations of hill paths in between. The race started and finished at the forrest car park. A bit too warm in the forrest and not much of a breeze at the top either.

Ran with the HRM as my stopwatch strap had snapped. Set the limits at 160-180 with the aim of 160+ at all times, and only dropped below 160 once when the low HR alarm beeps warned I was getting tired and losing concentration at the start of the 2nd climb up Scolty hill, soon put that right and even hit highest ever (180+) on the run in to the finish.

Clydebank 10k Thurs 1st June

1st run in this years Polaroid series, missed last weeks opener at Helensburgh. Pretty good running conditions, cool & sunny and a bit too windy which is the norm at Clydebank. Wanted to keep it steady and started about right at 4:10-4:20 per km and more or less maintained it until about 6k where pace dropped slightly, managed to pick it back up for the last 2 or 3 to finish just over 42 mins.