Ben Nevis Sat 6th Sept

One of my favourite races, up and down Ben Nevis, my 3rd and final target race for 2008. This years event was included in the Buff Skyrunner series . As a result numbers slightly increased with 20 or so overseas runners taking part.

Weather forecast was not good but it turned out to be a fine weekend, bright, cool and only the last few hundred feet in cloud, so good views when you had the time to look.

A couple of good runs recently on the LOF & Luss but didn't feel great in the run up to the race. Set off slightly further back than usual and reached the roads end in about 9 mins, nearer 8 would be good. Steady trundle up the tourist path, felt ok and took a new short cut which seemed better than previous, not too steep and much better footing. Being slightly further back meant it was easier to pass people and kept it steady round the windy corner towards the Red Burn Gully and the Mountain started to bite a bit more than it should.

The picture tells its own story, usually keep that face for near the summit.

Realised it wasn't to be a fast year as a few more people passed on the way round to the Red Burn crossing at half way in just under 57 mins.

The second half starts more or less straight up leaving the tourist path zig zags through rock, scree and a maze of small paths. Its here the leaders come flying back down, not only do you have to drag your self up but avoid human bombs on their way down.

Another 1000' or so feet and the slope starts to ease in places and you can pick up the pace, not too fast so you can have the odd glance at the fantastic views all round, lots of runners coming down really fast now. The nearer the top the flatter it gets so running again but very rocky so your feet take a pounding. Past scary drops at the top, just under 56 mins for the second half, 13 mins slower to the top than previous races.

Hand in your tag and turn for the descent, gloves on. The first few hundred yards are rocky but gets progressively more runnable for a few minutes until steep begins to kick in. Here you run as fast as you dare, full concentration, arms flailing and a wary eye out for other runners. I try not to get behind them as you can't see what's coming and it slows you down. Stay a few feet back and pick a slightly different line and your moment to accelerate past. No idea how long this section takes probably about 15 or 20 mins when you arrive back where you left the path on the way up at the Red Burn.

Route change here, straight down the Grassy bank, an 800' quad bashing, calf cramping near vertical slither. Key is to stay relaxed, ankles, knees, hips, shoulders and keep those arms flailing for any balance you can get. Route choice important here as well, I try to pick a line taking in any scree as I can go a bit quicker on the stoney sludge.

At the bottom of the Grassy Bank you're back on the tourist path, a tough section where you want to go faster than the man made stone steps allow. Nearly missed the first short cut, luckily a hill walker pointed it out. Further down picked my new 2nd short cut and passed about 7 or 8 runners without really trying.

Steady push on down the rocky path, running getting easier as it levells out towards the bottom. Reached the road for the last mile and legs turn to jelly. Coast the downs and baby steps on the ups on this cruel section.
A lap round the park and a sprint finish (so fast the photographer only caught my heel) to avoid being overtaken for a 54 minute descent and 2:46 and bits overall.

Above pictures courtesy of Borrowdale Fell Runners and Carnegie Harriers .