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

   

Nevis Race Weekend

Fort William for the weekend, another go at the Ben race, lucky with the weather, strong gusts of wind eased on Saturday morning, a wee bit warm was the worst you could say. A lap round the games field and off up the road towards the tourist path, steady running until windy corner, slow to a walk as the gradient picks up, walked from here until the summit plateau where a slow jog resumed picking the pace up where possible. Turned at the top, gloves on for the descent,  across the plateau and as the gradient increased cramp took over, took a couple of electrolyte tablets and it gradually eased, pattern repeated every 15 or so minutes meant a steadier than usual descent, reached the road a the end of the tourist path just over 2 hours 51, new I had to get a move on to break 3 hours, only 1 1/2 minutes left when I reached the games field, max effort to finish 4 seconds inside 3 hours. Sunday saw  a run over Stob Ban and Mullach nan Coirean, lost my phone on the way up, luckily it was returned to me the next morning. On the way home on Monday, blus sky day meant I had to stop in Glencoe for a wee run over a munro I had still to do on Buchailletive Beag, Stob Coire Raineach.

Bidean Nam Bian and The Three Sisters from Stob Coire Raineach

Ben Nevis and the Mamores from Stob Coire Raineach

Buchaille Etive Mor from Stob Coire Raineach

Stob Dubh from Stob Coire Raineach

The Anonach Eacgach from Stob Coire Raineach

Stob Coire Raineach from the col between that and Stob Dubh

River tumbling into Lairig Gartain from the col

Ben Nevis Hill Race

Back at the Ben for 15th race in 16 years, great weather, maybe a bit warm. Usual weekend in Glen Nevis, registration, 2nd breakfast then back for the race.

Reasonable pace to the end of the road, kept it going up the tourist path, gaining a few places on the first Melantee short cut. Windy corner usual stress as the gradient increases, good drink from a pleasantly cool Red Burn, up the screes ok at first then a bit of cramp cut the pace, struggled to get back running as the gradient eases, time to take in the views, hand in my number to the summit marshals and down we go, took it steady as it was very busy with walkers, found some good lines going down the screes to the Red Burn crossing kept me ahead of a couple of keen runners behind. Down the rough trod from the high to the low path round Melantee, ignored the short cuts and picked up a few places.

Road slower than the way out running round the track to finish just over three hours.

Ben Nevis Race

One of my favourite races, this year was a British Championship counter, a bit more difficult to get an entry. Travelled up on Friday, glorious weather, Saturdays forecast wasn't as good. Pitched up in Glen Nevis camp site.

View from my tent!

Race day overcast but not too much wind. About 500 set off round the games field and up the road to the Ben. Onto the path gradually climbing, slowed a bit round windy corner where there's been a lot of work to improve the path, then fine to the Red Burn for a wee drink. Up the Red Burn screes ok at first then slow up until the gradient eases and manage to get running again. Hand in my wrist band at the top and set off for the descent, took it nice and steady, probably too easy. Finished just inside 2 hours 50. Sunday and a cool down run up and down Mullach nan Coirean the westernmost Mamore from the lower falls car park. 

The Ben and Sgurr a Mhaim from the climb up the Mullach.

Tops looked like they might clear but didn't, onto a drizzly bouldery summit where we met a lost walker. 

Steady run down the grassy ridge.

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