It is 11 miles & 3300' of ascent to complete this hill race which covers West Lomond (twice) and East Lomond, forrest tracks, trails and woodland paths with 2 water stations - only one really as you pass it twice, four checkpoints with coloured pens to mark your number and prove you've been there.
Last year this was a championship counter & returned this year as it seemed a good warm up race in the quest for Nevis in three weeks.
From race registration in Strathmiglo village hall it is a two mile walk to the start as this year the surrounding fields/car parks are all under crops. In the end managed to get a lift both ways saving the walk/warm up/cool down.
Race starts in a field close to the Bunnet Stane climbing West Lomond behind, about turn at the top and descend half way down to Checkpoint 1 then contour round towards East Lomond gradually losing height but keep to the sheep tracks if possible to help maintain the pace. After a mile or so of contouring descent you pick up an undualting forrest road for a couple of miles before turning up a narrow trod zig zagging up to CP2 at Maidens Castle.
From Maidens the route picks up forrest roads, tracks and fire breaks as it climbs back up the hill side then a steady run up towards East Lomond & CP3, the last 1/4 mile a plod as it is pretty steep. From here you can see most of the run back to West Lomond apart from the detour to CP4 at what appears to be a large grassy hill, we are told "fort".
From the fort a short slog to regain the track as it gradually climbs up towards West Lomond, again the last 1/4 mile pretty steep.
From West Lomond the fun starts as you go past the trig point, gloves on, then pick up speed on the smooth broad grassy path, ok for a few minutes until you cross a fence for the bumslide , wet grass this year meant you could slide all the way down, had been chasing the runner in front without much luck but managed to catch him as he tried to run down instead of slide, well worth the price of two thistle skelfs.
From the descent gully you run through three fields back to the finish, caught by the guy behind but tucked in and picked him off on the last up through the field to the finish. Finished in just under 2 hours 20 mins an improvement of 20 odd seconds from last year.
A good medium race to try with the the 3300' of ascent split into four which gives you a chance to recover but the undulating paths and tracks are a good test of pacing, get it wrong and you suffer.
Race organised by Lomond Hill Runners with usual Fife post race tea and goody bag with edible contents!
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