Held every two years this years MM was moved from its usual slot in mid July to April and meant I could have a go. The race blurb advises you to be prepared, really prepared, also you should be comfortable with scrambling and exposure.
Difficult place to get to means the number of entrants is usually low, this year 19 started and 19 eventually finished. Set off at 7 to catch the half 9 ferry from Oban, an inspiring drive past snow capped mountains at Crianlarich, Dalrigh, Dalmally and Cruachan.
A calm ferry crossing to Craignure with the Mull peaks still shrouded in cloud. The race organiser meets the boat and takes you by mini bus to the start beside Loch Na Keal on the West coast of Mull. A spectacular setting.
The route is about 8 miles with 4500' of climing. With the first mile on the road and the last two or three miles downhill off Ben More means over 1000' per mile for the rest.
The first mile is along a single track road beside Loch Na Keal then we turned off onto open hillside up Beinn Ghraig, the biggest climb of the day with 1800' in just over a mile. The run along Beinn Ghraig's broad ridge good fun and visually stunning, not that you can take too much notice. Although the run off is steep the slopes are grassy and makes for easy running.
A contour round Beinn Nan Gabhar to the next climb up Beinn Fhada. When you get to the top you get full on views of the A Chioch and Ben More ridges, the terrain changes to rock and scree and narrows a bit.
The run off Fhada steep and tricky, a 500' plummet in a third of a mile, across a narrow beallach before climbing 1000' in under 3/4 of a mile to A Chioch's summit, the ridge narrows again.
The Fhada, A Chioch and Ben More ridges form a u-shaped funnel and catch the wind, another factor to consider. A short run along A Chioch's summit ridge then a short rocky track to the beallach before Ben More. Focus only on the track now with huge drops on either side. Concentrating on foot placement we crouch low crossing the A Chioch to Ben More beallach, the wind tugging at your balance. Thankfully the wind effect eases on the climb up Ben More, the narrow path clutching the steep mountain side.
The last hurrah is the chimney, a hands on rocky gulley to Ben More's summit. A walk across the top thankful the climbing is over for the day before running down the tourist path, the first part fast through scree then slower over wet bouldery stuff. About half way down you leave the path and cross the Dhiseig burn for a direct run down through tussock and heather to the finish.
Finished in 16th place in 2 hrs 56. Everyone gets a prize and when the race winner wins the Tobermory Malt spot prize we all enjoy a dram in spectacular surroundings. Everyone mucks in to pack the marquee and tables into the minibus before rewinding the outward journey, a pint in Craignure, macaroni cheese on the boat and relaxing on the outer decks for the cruise back to Oban. Stopped at Tyndrum to see the Highland Fling finish on the way back. An enduring calm to contrast the adrenalin filled Monsterette.
Some pictures I took of the day are in the slide show below, the last race pic at the bottom of the climb up A Chioch, after that the focus was on getting it right.
Results here, and some more pictures which give you good views of the A Chioch and Ben More ridges here.
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