This race kick starts the year and is the largest Hill race in Scotland, about 500 runners. As such it is a bit more organised and provides changing and showers followed by a hot meal after the race - school dinner - and with 2 sports shops in attendance selling all sorts of running gear.
The school is a few miles away from the start and buses shuttle back and forward taking the runners to the start area. At the start a couple of small marquees are set up, one for refreshments and the other is a medical tent.
The race is 6 miles with 2500 feet of ascent over 5 hills, the first and last climbs are close to 1000' each with the 3 in between minor blips. It starts with a mad dash across the swamp to the foot of the 1st 1000' climb up Scald Law. The middle part of the race is an nice easy run over 3 hill tops, South Black Hill, East Kip and West Kip, followed by a plunge down steep grassy slopes and a run along easy ground to the foot of the final 1000' climb up to Carnethy Hill. A steady plod up and run the short sections where the trail levels out if you have any energy left.
From the top of Carnethy its a steep drop, initially on paths but to prevent erosion you are soon directed off the path through deep heather hiding avariety of rocks and holes waiting to trap the unwary. For the last few hundred yards its back across the swamp to the finish for coffee and biscuits before catching the bus back to school for a hot shower and a hot meal before the drive home.
No comments:
Post a Comment