Having missed the Roseneath & Clynder games by arriving late set off to Luss on time and decided to do both Hill races. The races are run up the 1000 foot high Cruach Dhubh at the entrance to Glen Luss. First the Local race is 1/2 way up & down and later on the Open race all the way up & down. Filled in the entry form and received £2 back for entering the races!
There was about 1/2 an hour to go before the Local race when the announcer asked for entrants for the Local 200m handicap race, gave it a go along with some of the Dumbarton AAC guys and came 2nd, another £6 back. Good value these highland games.
The Local Hill race kicked off with the usual frantic lap round the track leaving the games field along the road and onto a path which went under the main road then out onto the hill via a couple of fields. The gradient increased to the half way flag via sheep tracks and paths with the last couple of hundred yards across rough moor.
The turning point marker flag was set in a hollow behind 6 foot high bracken so there was a slight climb back up before the descent. Managed to pick the wrong way about 1/2 way down leading to more head high bracken, bogs and ditches, eventually picking up the path near the bottom rather muddy and weary from the extra effort. The race finishes with another lap round the games field, the applause helping to maintain effort levels.
The Open race about an hour & a half later follows the same route but then carries on to the top across steeper, pathless and bracken covered hillside. A steady slog to the top then brakes off for the descent back to the games field. Thankfully managed to keep to the route on the way back down and another lap of the track to finish.
Sat around in the sun watching a variety of races and field events and finished (me) off with the open 400 m handicap race. Led from the start due to the "best" handicap but quickly overtaken by most of the field and any pretence of a sprint to glory evaporated.
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