Vorlich Vane

Thought it would be fun to try a hill run with a bit more ascent, clear blue skies as I left Succoth on the Glen Loin trail.

Vorlich first and took the path marked by a small cairn off the road towards the Loch Sloy Dam, steep rocky steps help the ascent, path twists and turns up Vorlichs western flank and along the ridge to its twin tops.

Back along the ridge to a small dip high above the Sloy dam, met 4 runners who had come up here, went straight down this steep descent, its the one they use in the Arrochar Alps race. Across the dam and up Vanes east flank, going up to the right of the crag above the dam, the race route goes left of these crags, its shorter but steeper, the 4 runners who passed me on Vorlich had caught up, I could here them on the race route.

Across a boggy plateau then up a short steep section to join the ridge undulating along to Vanes top, the 4 runners came past on their way to Ime.

A few minutes and I was on top, a quick refuel and set off towards Lag Uaine looping round to avoid the crags a direct line takes you through. Ran along between Vane and Ime to meet up with the Glen Loin trail and back to Succoth in about 5 1/2 hours.

Stoneymollan

6 of us took part in this "fun" short Club hill race, just under 5 miles, starts at the bottom of the Stoney, up the 3 Lochs Way trail to the 2nd gate, turning off trail, left, undulating along to the fort overlooking Carman reservoir, descending paths and tracks returning to the Vale leisure centre down Overton road.

Arrochar run

Undecided on route, eventually settled for The Cobbler and Narnain, up the tourist path to start until just past the Narnain Boulders, for a change I took the path left that leads up the Cobblers south east face then up to the middle top. Ran down the back stairs then up Narnain, descending through the Spearhead down to Succoth through the waterfall to cool down, finished in about 3 hours 10. No views from the tops as the cloud came in as I climbed The Cobbler.

 

Fairy Glen

 Next club race, 3 lap trail race, just under 3 miles packing in over 400' of ascent, 7 of us took part, settled into 2nd place and managed to hold on to finish just over 24 1/2 mins.

Glen Douglas

 Run round the three hills, wanted to take in the minor top Monadh Tigh Na Lairich with its trig point on Tullich Hills North ridge as well. Beinn Bhreac to start, good climb, about 1800' in under 1 1/2 miles, up into the cloud, from the top followed the fence line turning north to Ben Reochs top as the fence line dropped back down towards Loch Lomond, South West next dropping into the glen before the climb up Tullich Hill. Plan was for a rising traverse, West to start then North, made it onto the ridge, poor visibility made things difficult, after a wander about I came across a small cairn, not the Trig point I was looking for, gave up and headed to Tullich Hills top. My Strava trace reveals the small cairn was Tullich hills top, so I visited it twice! Think I'll wait for better weather or maybe take a map next time. Finished in  about 3 1/2 hours.

Beinn Bhreac

Ben Reoch

Arrochar

Tullich Hill, 1st time

Tullich Hill, second time :)

My car is down there

Ted Baker Race

Latest race in the Clubs 2020 race series, lollipop route to Pappert Well, 5 miles with 800' of climb , good turnout of 9 runners set off in reverse order for this handicap race. Managed to cross the line first, a few seconds quicker than last year, second on time by about 5 seconds, good muddy, muggy, buggy fun.

SA Virtual Challenge

 2nd Lockdown race, a virtual 5k, chose a beach run from Covesea to Lossiemouth and back, did a run to check the distance earlier in the week, had to start before 10 to beat the tide and choose to start or finish running into the wind, decided to go with the wind for the first half, started slightly too fast as usual, turned at Lossie and wind slowed me a bit, happy to finish just over 23 1/2 mins.

Moray Coastal Trail

Annual holiday at Silversands at Covesea,  just along the beach from Lossiemouth,  ran the Moray Coastal Trail along to Burghead and back, passing through Hopeman,  beach to start then undulating clifftop running,  great views, past Hopeman low level beach and trail, with a short section of tarmac before Burghead, climbed the Pictish fort before setting off on the return to Covesea, finished inside 3 hours with a swim in the Moray Firth.