Whinny Hill Cross Country

Perfect day for cross country but there was more spectators than runners. Slight route change taking us to the bottom of Fairy Glen to start the climb, the muddier trail making up for the smooth hardcore path up through the trees. Ground part frozen should have made for faster running. Great views to Glen Finlas snd Luss from the seat, mostly down hill on the way back with one wee climb through the trees, managed to pick up the pace towrds the end to finish insude 50 minutes. Good day, great wee race.

Luss Hills

Easy run up snowy Beinn Dubh to Mid Hill and back. Plenty of stops for pictures and to catch my breath on the way up Beinn Dubh.

Surrounding hills looking great. A few walkers about. Ground still partially frozen on top. Ran along the ridge, hard work at the coll, a lot of snow, nearly turned back, slow trudge up towards the unnamed tops. Nice views.

Great running back down to the coll, slowed a bit on the up to Beinn Dubhs cairn. Easy running back to the bottom, finished in about 2 1/2 hours. More pictures here.

Carnethy 5 Hill Race

Good season opener, 500 of us bussed to the start from Beeslack High School in Penicuik to run over 5 Pentland hills. Still not free from flu took it as easy as possible.

Starting at the back across the bogs to the climb up Scald Law. The next part of the race makes for steady running as the route undulates over three small climbs, South Black Hill and the 2 Kips, followed by faster running down a steep grassy decent and along to the Howe. The final climb undulates up the back of Carnethy, just about runnable if you havn't put in much of an effort before. Great organisation and a big marshall prescence on the Hill encouraging you all the way, happy to finish just over 96 minutes for a cup of tea in the marquee before catching the bus back to school for a hot shower and a school dinner. More pictures here.