Ben Nevis

Another year at the Ben Race, my 17th, staying in our fav Glen Nevis Campsite for a couple of nights. Woke up to clearing skies, it would be a warm race. Cycled down to the start, enjoying the atmosphere as 450 runners and many more friends gathered for the 1pm start in Claggan Park. A mile of undulating up road to start joining the tourist path at the Nevis Inn. Slight route change this year, we had to stay on the tourist path from the Inn to the Red Burn on the way up and the way down, avoiding the Red Burn Short Cut due to concerns over erosion and land slips, although this added about 3/4 of a mile it only seemed to add about 5 or 6 minutes to my time. The path is a lot smoother. From the Red Burn its straight up over scree and boulders. Towards the top the gradient eases and some shuffle running enjoyed over the shattered rocky path, one of my favourite sounds. Electronic timing at the top this year saw me there in 2 hours. Gloves on for the descent in case of a tumble, luckily they weren't needed. Stopped a couple of times to assist cramping runners as I had some extra electrolytes after bad cramp last year. Back on the Red Burn screes bring a smile to my face and overtake a few more timid runners, tourist path again from the Red Burn, the rocky steps and multitude of hill walkers keep the pace sensible. The last mile on the road, thankfully mostly downhill with a trot round Claggan Park to finish in just over 3 hours.

The Ben from Glen Nevis

Claggan Park

   

Fort William Weekend

Arrived in Glen Nevis Friday afternoon, tent up, dinner on. Freezing outside, lucky I had an electric heater for the tent, more than most of the few campers who had braved the conditions.

Saturday, early rise before driving to Glenfinan to try the Corryhully Horseshoe. Two munros Sgurr nan Coireachan and Sgurr Thuilm separated by an undulating ridge.

The first three miles are up an estate road that passes underneath the viaduct and onto a rough track. The munro paths are signposted.

Sgurr nan Coireachan from Sgurr Thuilm

Sgurr Thuilm from Sgurr nan Coireachan

Set off towards Sgurr nan Coireachan, the initial climb up an outlier called Sgurr a'Choire Riabhaich, The path gradually dissapeared with increase in snow depth/height. A walker had already been up and his footprints were a guide to where he thought the path was. He lost it a few times but always came back! Towards the top of Riabhaich the path dissappeared completely. The walker in front had taken a steep direct route for the top.

Sgurr nan Coireachan's summit, I turned back at the top of the "white" bit below the rocky summit, about 50' from the top. There were three walkers behind, they continued on and made it over the top ok. Dropped back down to the glen on the path I had come up. On the way down I decided to go up Sgurr Thuilm rather than cut my run short. An easy path over boggy ground at first then steeper and drier with height and back into the snow. Met the walker I had followed up the first hill on his way down after completing the circuit. Continued up the snow ridge Druim Coire a'Beithe to a small knoll before Sguir Thuilms summit.

Sgurr Thuilm's summit cone.

Wind was rather strong and chilling. Decided that was far enough and turned back towards the glen. One side of me too hot in the sun the other frozen in the wind. There was about 10 people out on the route today, 5 going each way.

View down Glenfinnan from ridge Druim Coire a'Beithe.

About 15 miles and 4500' of ascent,  mile or two further than the planned route, with a wee bit more ascent.

Sunday, plan was for another new route the Loch Lochy munros, decided to try Ben Nevis via tourist route instead, no steep bits! Slow Jog and walk to the Red Burn where the ground was icy as any snow had  melted and refrozen. perfect conditions, blue skies, sun and no wind.

Meall an t-Suidhe loch from the Red Burn.

Brisk walk to the top, for stunning views to the Mamores and over the Aonachs to the Grey Corries.

One of those days you could stay a the top forever! Great run down the shallow snowy path, micro spikes on for the last couple of icy zig zags to the Red Burn.

Monday, time for home, decided to have a short run on the way. Stopped behind Glencoe village for a run up the Pap of Glencoe, walked most of the up, stunning views all round, fun run back down over boulders and loose scree.

Carn Mor Dearg and the Ben

Glen Nevis weekend plan to run a few Mamore hills, slept in as it was a bit wet, change of plan to CMD and the Ben, a bit shorter and busier start and finish. Ran from Glen Nevis youth hostel up heart atTack hill onto the tourist path to half way Lochain, took the path into Coire Leis crossed the river and up steep heathery bouldery slopes until the path to Carn Mor Dearg gradually made its way onto the top of the ridge.

Getting cold, leggings, gloves and headgear on, pushed the pace towards CMD summit to generate a bit of heat then taking the chicken run path just off the top where possible.

Picked my way carefully along to the climb up Nevis, missed the posts for a while, a bit too bouldery and starting to snow , back on track and summit cairn and shelter appear out the mist, sounded like a party in the shelter.

Familiar ground now, steady run down the tourist path and down heart attack hill to the youth hostel, just over 5 hours. Good fun, more pictures here.

Ben Nevis

Ben Race time, near 500 lined up in Claggan Park, nice and sunny with hint of a breeze. Felt fine along the road to Achintee, onto the tourist path ran where I could, round windy corner slowed a bit, same across the scar path to the Red Burn, stopped for a drink then straight up steep grassy slopes then the Red Burn screes where the leaders started careering back down. Gradient started to ease and running again, not enough drive, fantastic views from the summit. Took it steady on the way down, working my way round each of the runners I managed to catch, only a couple passing me. From the Red Burn back down the Scar Path to rejoin the tourist path, careful on the rocky steps. Not much energy left on the road back from Achintee, finishing a few minutes slower than last year. My 13th in 14 years.

Good race, hope to be back next year.

Sgurr a'Mhaim and Stob Bhan from Glen Nevis

New bridge at Glen Nevis Visitor Centre

Glen Nevis

Unexpected chance for camp Nevis, Saturday run over Mullach Nan Coirean, Stob Ban and Sgurr a'Mhaim, forecast good, reality low cloud n drizzle, ran from lower falls car park hard going through remnants of tree felling, out the trees and straight up onto the ridge, running again, top Juraesque rocky stuff, visibility ok about 100 yards, Mullachs double cairn soon reached. No hanging about on the tops today. Ran along the ridge to Stob Ban met a Ptarmigan. Same one as last time? Clouds clear for a few minutes, missed a Brocken spectre taking too long to get the camera out.  Rocky run off Stob Ban nice n easy, rocks greasy, running again along to the stalkers path zig zagging to the ridge to Sgurr a'Mhaim. Ridge narrows, too feart to take a photo, stop at bottom of the short climb to SAM top, getting cold as pace had dropped along the ridge, thermal gloves on up the quartzite to the summit cairn, no stopping, off over boulders then rocky path and some fun down nice scree before a twisting turning rocky broken path, hard work, the last few hundred yards easy muddy trail. Finished inside 5 hours, much fun. Photos here.



Sunday, sound of rain on the tent, got up and it had cleared, clouds above Mamores tops, bits of the Ben I could see looked clear as well. Set off from outside the Youth Hostel, managed to run all Heart Attack Hill! Along tourist path kept jogging, round windy corner some walking on the brocken path, plenty of repairs needed here. Staying on the tourist path past halfway lochan and up the zig zags meant I could run all the way, a wee break to catch my breath and take a couple of photos at every zag. Back into the mist and a chilly breeze grew up through the field of cairns, reaching the top in about 2 hours. Short break and photo stop at the top. Took descent nice n easy, followed the tourist path stopping a couple of times, finsihed in about 3 1/2 hours, not many out today. Photos here.

Ben Nevis Race 2016

My 12th go at this race, missed last years after a fall on the Cobbler which put me out for weeks, slowly getting back out there and pleased to get my entry back in January. Managed to avoid a similar problem this year and set off on Saturday morning for the 2 hour drive to Fort Bill. Sun began to break through at Ballachulish, maybe a good day. Race start reasonably clear, charge round the games field up the road and onto the tourist path, took the first shortcut, no gain or loss, left the second one and stayed on the path, gained about 20 yards, kept jogging until the trail steepens, start to walk and lose places, leave the path for the rocky groove round to the Red Burn, not losing places anymore, welcome drink from the Red Burn, tastes great. Straight up from here grass turns to gravel and rock.

Plodding up into the mist.

Gradually pick up pace as the gradient eases, jogging over the shattered rocks that cover the summit, the turning point seems further back this year, hand over wristband, gloves on and set off down over ouchy rocks, gradient soon increases and keep running into traffic, each one a puzzle to work out how to get past safely, soon back to the Red Burn, another refreshing drink, not allowed down the grassy bank this year, stay on the same trail as we came up, longer but seems easier to run, more traffic, back on to the tourist path, more of it this year, not so good to run down, round the corner and back into the glen, take a bumslide to miss a zig zag then the same short cut as on the way out, losing a place to a better route choice kick starts my effort and gain two or three by the road, push all the way back to the start, its downhill, mostly, manage to gain another few places and lose one, into the games field pick off a couple then steady to finish just over 2 hours 40. A good race. A few more pictures here.

Ben Nevis race 2014

Fort William for race weekend, Glen Nevis campsite on Friday evening, clear skies, watched the moonrise over Sgurr a' Mhaim to pasta and a cold beer.

Raceday, a bit of cloud, showers forecast. Went down early to register, before the crowds. Walked down to the start about 12 an hour before the off, rain started but not for long, off by the time we were paraded to the start by Lochaber Pipe Band. Away we go round the park and up the road, a mile or so to the gently climbing Ben path, took one short cut, came back to the same people who took other ones, ignored the next short cut and lost maybe 10 yards, but easier ground to cover. Steady plod round windy corner towards the half way lochan before the race route cuts the corner to the Red Burn, gained about 10 yards following a couple of Lochaber runners round a rocky dip. Reached the Red Burn within 20 secs of my target, had a drink before the steep claw up the Red Burn Screes. Sitting in a long line of runners the pace felt slightly too easy, managed a few overtakes trying not to lose too much time without blowing a gasket. Pushed on for the last half mile as the gradient eases, reached the top a couple of minutes or so down to plan. My laces had been caught on a rock and thought about re-tying, just tucked them inside my shoes as they were nice and tight. Gloves on, brakes off for the helter skelter run off the hill. Five of us ran down the screes in a group, let one guy past who was moving a bit quicker. Reached the grassy bank and a couple more went past, another drink at the bottom. Back on the tourist path, watch the slippy gritty boulders and the meandering tourists, path becomes smoother and push hard to catch and pass a few before the road, now 5 minutes behind but felt ok and ran a good few down by Claggan, last push round the park to finish inside 2 hours 36 my best time for 7 years, racefood, up, 2 jelly babies and 1 jelly bean, down 2 jelly babies.

4000's and a Big buchle

Last June I ran the Mamores, great day out, time to try the other side of the glen. Staying in Glen Nevis Campsite for the weekend, woke Saturday to a good day for hills, a bit of cloud, sun and  breeze, rain forecast for later. Started from the Youth Hostel up Heart Attack hill onto the Ben tourist path, hoards of walkers from various charities and a few runners. Topped out in just over two hours, a seat to refuel and work out the way to the Carn Mor Dearg arete, East, South East past some fence poles dropping down bouldery ground then North East to join the arete. A peaceful contrast to the Ben with only a few walkers and runners. Made my way round the arete, carefully at first, eyes fixed on the ground, avoiding looking at the drops on either side, relaxed and gained confidence as I picked my way along as the path fades in and out along easy scrambles, a short climb and I'm on top, its almost 2 hours since I left the Ben, a seat to re-fuel and gaze at a stunning Ben Nevis rock face. East again down a steep rocky ridge distracted by the aerial display over unseen crowds watching the Mountain Bike World Cup. Across the narrow beallach before the steep 1000' climb up Aonach Mor's twisty loose path, the gradient eases and a run along to the cairn, another brief stop then chased three other runners across to Aonach Beag, they were going to Corrour Station via the Grey Corries, a shortish climb to the snow covered top, staying well back from the corniced edge. Easy run down grassy slopes to the last top of the day, Stob Coire Bhealaich. Traversed round Coire a' Bhuic down beside the alt Coire nan Laogh to Steall Meadows. Ran down the bouldery track then a 5 mile shuffle as the rain started on the road back to camp. 17 miles, 7500' in 8 hours 15. Sunday sunshine dried out the tent over a leisurely break of fast and camp. Drove through Glen Coe stopping at the valley between the Buachailles. Set off a couple of miles along the Lairig Gartain taking a good path up beside Stob Coire Altrium, turned up and over Stob Na Doire along to Stob Dearg, a couple of false summits and I'm on top, a quick stop as the cloud and rain sweeps in closing out the views, retreat between snow cornices scrambling into Coire na Tulaich, steep at first then man made bouldery path back down. 7 Miles, 3200' in 3 hours 30.

Nevis weekend

A long time coming, entered in January with a few runs and races in between, arrived in Glen Nevis campsite on Friday evening, tent up, pasta on, rain teeming down all night and most of Sat morning, forecast came good and it cleared before race time. Despite perfect weather no heroics this year, steady run just inside the cut offs, half way under the hour, the first 50 already finished by the time I get to the top a few minutes inside 2 hours. Pass quite a few on the run off the top, a few traffic jams down the Red Burn screes sorted with some fun overtaking, relax and just keep the legs moving down the Grassy Bank. Back on the tourist path, its dodge the tourist time, they are all excellent with encouragement and they go out of their way to let you past. Try a new vertical shortcut on the zig zags, much better, next time I'll watch for the top half I ran past. The gradient eases and I still manage to pass one or two, the last mile of undulating road passes quicker than expected, start to cramp up as I run round the games field finishing in 2 hours 55. Lots of pictures here, I'm on page 7 and 14, more pictures here, Sat evening rainy. Set off for home Sun PM, broke the journey with a drive down Glen Etive to the shores of Loch Etive and a wee seat in the sun, very peaceful in this isolated spot.

2nd stop at the Falls of Falloch then home for tea. Some pictures here.

Ben Nevis

Weekend in Glen Nevis campsite with the Ben Race thrown in as a wee bonus. Forecast of 75 mph gales didn't quite come to fruition. Sat started damp with the top of  Melantee well hidden by cloud, by the time I registered the cloud was lifting. Just before 1 o'clock the usual plod round the field behind the pipe band, through kit check and the Race started with the news that half way was perfect and the summit windy with visibility down to 30 metres. Reached the Ben Nevis Inn in an easy 9 mins 15. Steady run up the tourist path, probably too steady arriving at the Red Burn Crossing in 57 mins. Straight up from here, started ok then faded about half way up and lost a few places. Jacket, hat & gloves on in the cold damp wind, felt a bit better and pushed on as the gradient eased, caught a few who had just gone past. Jogged over the jagged rocks to the summit checkpoint in 1 hour 53 and turned for home. Picked off runners in ones and twos down the steep rocky trail before the grassy bank. Only one got past me here, better than usual. Running down the tourist path I stuck to the path rather than any of the possible short cuts and didn't lose any more places. A bit stop start past the walkers going up and down though. Reached the Nevis Inn and onto the road for the last mile, managed to pass another three and keep ahead of those trying to close behind. Finished in 2 hours 53. A runners pictures from the weekend here. Picture set where I can be found gasping for breath here and smiling here. I'm only in the uphill pictures as I didn't run quite fast enough!

Ben Nevis

Seems like an age since I was lucky enough in Feb to secure an entry for the race up and down the Ben. Arrived on Friday evening for a weekend based at Glen Nevis campsite. An electric pitch this year so two heaters, electric fridge, phone chargers, hair straightners (not mine) and power supply for the laptop, oh dear.

Damp Friday night and Saturday am, drizzly as race time approached with low winds, good for running. One o'clock we start with a charge round Laggan Park and onto the road to the Nevis path, kept the heart rate under control for a change, making steady progress past Heart Attack hill and up the shortcut at Eddies Bench. Hopefully smiled for the photo at the metal bridge, round a not so windy corner and onto the cross country route to the Red Burn, arriving in 55 mins feeling fine although a couple of minutes slower than last year.

The upper half and things steepen up a bit, grassy bit first then onto rock and scree, held my place, even a couple of short bursts of energy where I went past one or two. Over some boulders and the gradient eases, felt good, pushed on, running past several others while dodging the front runners coming back, working hard but feel fine the easy pace at the start paying off arriving at the top in 1:45, 5 minutes quicker than last year.

Gloves on for the descent, passing people straight away, ouch, sore on the feet at the top. Starts to get steep, then steeper, difficult to overtake safely, rocks flying everywhere, picked up a nice? track closer to the Red Burn than usual and soon onto muddy slopes just above the grassy bank.

The grassy bank's a tough section for everyone, stop moaning and just get on with it, go to the left of the trail and manage to stay on my feet a bit more, slightly better grip but people I worked hard to pass on the rocky slopes coming past, slide the last 15 feet into the burn.

Back to the tourist path with its slippy gritty rocks, great, charge, behave, stay upright, it'll be a sore one if you fall. Aware of those just in front and behind, a bit stop start overtaking when I can dodging the walkers and their dogs. Scramble down the first shortcut ok, the second a poor choice as couple of hard won places are lost.

Easier going now, most of the rocks can be jumped, gradually gain back a couple of places and push on for the end of the trail, good to hear a shout from Chris for the Millies, reached the road in 2:29. Tried to chase the guys in front, picked a couple off then spied a Welsh runner closing fast he catches me on the run round the games field. Finished in 2:38:11, best for 4 years, felt better than usual at the end, lost a bit of time on the grassy bank and a minute or so on a poor choice of shortcut, so room for improvement.

Link to lots of pictures and video here.

Ben Nevis

Super weather for this years jaunt up the Ben. I was lucky enough to get one of the 600 entries, two hundred or so were disappointed in the February draw. Arrived in Glen Nevis campsite on Friday evening, no welly camp this year, dry underfoot, sunny and you could see the Ben.

Registered on Saturday morning then went back to the campsite for an early lunch. The race started a couple of minutes before one, a steady jog round the football pitch and onto the road to Achintee, reached the end of the road in good time, about 9 minutes, with no major effort.

The tourist path rises along Melantee from here, ignored the early shortcuts and took the one at Eddies bench which seemed to go well picking up 50 or so yards on those in front. Least favourite part round windy corner followed, a few went past but no stress, reached the Red Burn feeling ok in 54 mins, within a minute of my target time. Ok means fine as usually dizzy by now!

From the Red Burn its straight up, initially on grass, then scree and rocks, began to slow down and a few small people trains went past. Stopped for a drink and some sugar to try to recharge the batteries. Reached the top in 1 hour 50 mins which meant 9 minutes lost from the Red Burn.

Turned for the descent, and jogged along, another drink then gloves on. Wandered down through McLeans Steep and the Field of Cairns, hard to find the drive required to pick up the pace and get past the runners in front after what was a difficult up and the traffic jam of runners and walkers.

As the descent got steeper started to relax and enjoy the race, found a forgiving scree filled track further left from the Red Burn than most others which meant the brakes could be switched off for a while.

At half way you hit the Grassy bank, usually a few times. Kept relaxed and tried to stay on my feet as much as possible and maintain a steady pace. At the bottom a welcome cool blast of water in the burn then back onto the tourist track, take care on the blocky gritty man made steps back round windy corner but gradually picked off a few runners, a few courtesy stops for walkers as well.

Two short cuts on the way back, the second longer section well worth it when its drier underfoot. Back on the busy tourist track again, thankfully most walkers and runners are like minded folk who make way for each other, a few don't.

Onto the road and a steady jog back for a 54 minute descent and finish at Claggan Park in 2 hours 44 minutes, 362nd out of 481. Good to meet Ian, Rich, Elaine and Catriona at the end, although I have still to see the pictures.

Ben Nevis Sat 14th Aug

Didn't fancy the stress of racing the Lomonds of Fife on Sunday so took the opportunity to take Andrew up the Ben.  Drove up early Sat and set off up Heart Attack Hill from the youth hostel with a rucksack full of food, clothes and water.

Forecast was to clear in the afternoon but we went into the cloud from 2500'. Very busy, stuck to the tourist route rather than the more direct race route and windy corner still the toughest part. Refreshing drink from the Red Burn at half way then followed the zig zags into the clouds.

Thankfully the gradient eases towards the top and we summited in 2 1/2 hours. Although still in the clouds you could feel the heat from the sun and 200 plus people were sitting about enjoying a rest, some food and a few photos taken.

Set off after an hour or so, feet suffering a bit in the splintered rock. Only needed a couple of short stops on the way down reaching the river Nevis in 1 1/2 hours and stood in the cool water for a few minutes to refresh tired feet.

Ben Nevis

A bit damp when we arrived at Glen Nevis campsite on Friday night. Put up the trusty Vango on the least squelchy piece of ground we could find and set off to Morrisons for provisions. Emerged £50 lighter with a bag full of cereal, milk, rolls, pasta, cheese and beer.

Lashed all night. Up at nine and after a big breakfast went to registration,bought a hat to keep the rain off. Back to the tent for more food, pasta and rolls and the occaisonal look outside to check how low the clouds were.

Down to Claggan Park for the race, lots of people hiding in the changing rooms to the last possible moment. The MC kept advising full body cover required, wind speed 20 mph on top, wind chill of -3 and visibility down to 50 feet. Didn't sound too bad compared to the usual Sunday mornings in Arrochar or Luss.

Over 470 runners set off for a lap round the field and onto the road, reached Achintee in 9 minutes. Felt fine on the tourist track going along Melantee, the short cuts a tad muddy. Going round into the Red Burn gulley the windy corner was windy. The climb up to cross the Red Burn and the mud kicked in.

Reached the Red Burn in about 55 mins, just happy to be there.

From the Red Burn it gets steeper, initially on narrow muddy tracks then through boulders, the odd landslide to cope with due to the volume of water. Some of the moving rocks mansized, def not to be sneezed at.

At the top of the RB the gradient eases and found I could run again, obviously not trying hard enough. Dodging the runners coming down and reached the top in 105 mins.

Turned for home, gloves on, pushing hard as the gradient increased flew past quite a few, felt great. Back down beside the RB and big gradients, boulders and a scree slurry flowing underfoot, eased back and had to time the overtaking moves to avoid a few crashes.

Seemed like no time and I arrived back at half way point and the unfavourite Grassy Bank, 800 feet of slippy slidey grassy muck, usual torrid time, overtaken by ladies, good grief, must do better. A few bumslides, a few crab crawls then slip bang into the RB and it was over.

All that was left was an easy run back along Melantee then the last mile or so of lovely road and a celbratory run round the Claggan pitch. Tried a couple of short cuts along Melantee, the first a small cliff, ouch ouch cramp, lost some time, great short cut. The second a mud chute, could hardly run for laughing, maybe gained 5 yards.

Steady run down to Achintee for the wibbly wobbly leg run on the tarmac to Claggan. Felt fine, so more effort required, a day to enjoy rather than flat out kamikaze. Finished in 2:42 and 352nd place out of 464 finishers.

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 .

Ben nevis Sat 1st Sept

Another go at this classic, 10 miles with 4400' of ascent and descent, straight up and straight down, no fuss or detours just a blast from start to finish.

After a slower run last year hoped to get under 2 1/2 hours, slow by race standards, and my aim was to get to the Red Burn, 2200', in as near to 50 mins as possible then 48 mins to the summit, anything under 52 to the finish would get me in under 2 1/2.

Set off on the usual charge round the sports field and onto achintee road for about a mile leading to the tourist path proper. The route climbs steeper as it winds its way up Glen Nevis on "Melantee" before contouring up and round towards the Red Burn, the only puzzle was which of the many short cuts to take.

For a change reached the Red Burn without feeling as if I needed to lie down until I looked at the watch, just over 53 mins, a bit of a blow but still worth a push to the top. From the Red Burn its straight up the steep rock and scree slopes and it doesn't seem long before the leaders are flying back down.

As you approach the summit more and more runners come past, difficult to avoid as they jump and stumble their chaotic way down.

Reached the top in just over 1 hour 40 mins having clawed back some of the time lost in the first half. To put it in perspective, the 1st 10 were back at the finish before I reached the top.

Handed in my tag to the summit marshalls and headed back over the rocky top at a steady jog, pace increasing as the ground gets steeper through the Field of Cairns, managing to get past a few steady runners before it gets really steep as you pick up the Red Burn.

A new experience this year was being overtaken by a runner doing a somersault on the steepest rockiest part, he spins past and on down the mountain taking out the runner below/in front, a surreal experience in what seems like slow motion, somehow manage to keep my balance, eyes on where my feet could grip as well as the acrobatics.

Luckily both ok and aftere a quick nod took off down hill towards the Green Wall of Death, just as steep but muddy, rock and scree filled grass, a mixture of bumsliding, running, jumping & generally just hope for the best for the last 800' back down to the Tourist Path on Melantee.

Although downhill the Tourist Path is not the best place to run, boulder steps set into the ground to minimise path erosion, greasy, grit covered rocks with more steady runners in front to overtake and walkers climbing up to avoid. Push on as hard as possible on the down slope and soon past the rockiest part with the help of a short cut or two.

To keep the momentum going I try to pick off a few more runners in front for the last 1/2 mile or so of the Tourist Path before the "murder mile" of tarmac called Achintee Road.

Reach the road in 2:22 and some seconds, took me 9 minutes at the start but give it a go and reach Claggan Park with just under a minute under 2 1/2 hours. No way there was going to be a heroic sprint but pushing hard all the way round the park to the finish in 23 seconds over 2 1/2 hours, a PB by some 40 seconds.

Adventure Show TV Cameras there again this year so maybe another 5 seconds of fame!

Next years race is to be part of the Buff Skyrunner Series so entries will be scarce - miss it at your peril.

Ben Nevis Race Sat 2nd Sept

Drove up to Fort William for the Ben Nevis race, 10 miles and 4400 feet of ascent/descent. Weather pretty horrible, low cloud, heavy showers and windy. Pleasant surprise once through Glencoe where it changed and the cloud got progressively higher as the day went on. By the time the race started the odd bit of blue sky, cloud level from 3000 feet and very little breeze.

The Lochaber Pipe Band led the 380 runners round Laggan park to the start and a couple of minutes before 2:00 we were off for a lap round the park and then up the road to Achintee.

From here the race route follows the Pony Track which most hillwalkers use. There are a variety of short cut options as it winds its way up the Glen Nevis side of Meall an t-Suidhe (Melantee) and around into the Red Burn gully. Here the Pony Track contours round towards the half way lochan between Melantee and the Ben and this is where the race route leaves the maintined Track and cuts directly up and across to the halfway point at the Red Burn and about 2300'. This section took 53 mins about 1 minute behind schedule.

After the Red Burn its a sharp left turn and straight up the maze of "paths" through the scree covered slopes, more direct and much steeper than the zig-zag route of the Pony Track. The terrain changes from grass and mud to a landscape of rock and stone. The route levels out at a bit at 3500' and becomes less steep but the stones hurt your feet more as you try to pick up the pace, jog walked to the top in another 52 mins, lost another 5 mins on this section so no point in going for a fast descent.

As you approach the top the cloud adds to the eerie mood as you pass unseen 2000' drops off the North face. You hand in your numbered tag and turn, gloves on to protect the hands in case of a fall, and try to run downhill as the rocks bite the soles of your feet for the first mile or so. As the descent route steepens again the rocks become smaller and you can let the brakes off as this scree now cushions your feet and provides an escape route when rapid impingement on a large rock seems the only other option.

Once you reach half way point at the Red Burn the route is slightly different than on the way up, you have to face the 800' green wall of death, a steep grassy, muddy slope with more than just a few hidden rocks to keep you from bumsliding too quickly. Main aim here is to fall over only when its the quicker option and you really want to.

After the gwod its back on to the Pony Track, downhill and runnable with a few route choices. Not so steep now and gravity doesn't help so much. Although man made to minimise erosion you are tired and care needs to be taken with the large drops off the side, rocks, boulders and also the moving targets called hillwalkers.

After the Pony Track its on to the road at Achintee where the legs turn to jelly as it undulates along for a mile or so towards Laggan Park and the dreaded lap round the track. Descent time about 55 mins, 4 mins behind schedule, overall 10 mins behind schedule finishing in 2 hrs 40.