Ted Baker - Doughnut Hill Trail Race

 2nd year with the new route, a loop over Doughnut Hill, start and finish the Totem Pole behind Overton House, mostly trails with a wee bit of hill in the middle, just over 1000' of ascent in 4.6 miles, its a virtual handicap race as people start when it suits them and we all finish roughly together, good evening for a run, 6 of us made the start, I finished last by handicap but was the quickest on the night by a few seconds, in second place on the way up to Doughnut Hill managing to get past the runner in front just before dropping onto the hill and managed to stay in front taking the win by 30 seconds about a minute slower than last year. Finished off with a Doughnut and a Tesla Disco!

Hel n Back

Trail race run by Helensburgh Athletic Club, back on the fixture list after the forestry work cleared the path. Always missed this due to the Ben or Merrick, decided to have a go with one other of our club members. 70 odd entered, 60 odd turned up. The route starts/finishes at the new Hermitage Academy, running up the Three lochs Way until it reaches the forest road that leads over to The Red Road, at the Red Road turn left and run up past The Black Third Farm to pick up The Three Lochs way again, this time towards Helensburgh, one more wee climb then a 2 1/2 mile down hill trail to the finish.

Club races

2 Club trail races this week, Tuesday Fairy Glen, Thursday Ben Bowie. Fairy Glen is short, 3 off 1 mile laps, with a short down and up to keep it interesting. 6 of us set off, a couple of us had started earlier. Ran in second place all the way to the finish. Ben Bowie, an out and back from the end of the tarmac up Stoneymollan to Ben Bowies double top, only two of us made the start, same second place again. Slower than last year in both races but an improvement on Ben Bowie.

Bromley Muir

Local hill run this week, Carman Fort and Trig then along to the Three Lochs Way for a mile or so before taking to the ridge over Killoeter then back up to Ben Bowie, hilly but runnable, after Ben Bowie returned over Bromley Muir past the Trig and Fort, very wet and muddy over Bromley Muir all the ditches and flat sections flooded. A bit more Spring like, plenty of wild Primroses along the trails.

Bromley Muir

Ben Bowie and Killoeter, this time via Bromley Muir, tops suitable covered in mist, not many views but good running, took the by pass path onto Killoeters ridge, along the ridge and down towards Helensburgh, up towards Ben Bowie on the 3LW cut off for the soft ground to B Bowies summit, 3LW back to the Vale.

Carman Fort

Bromley Muir Trig

Killoeters stick

Ben Bowies cairn

Ben Bowie & Killoeter

Shorter run today, drove to the flyover at the bottom of the Stoneymollan for a lollipop route out to Ben Bowie, a loop round to Killoeter and back down the Stoney to finish, cut out the usual 1 mile plus of road at the start and finish, trails and hills all the way, cloud and mist so not many views but good to get out.

 

Ben Bowie and Killoeter from Banachra Woods

Cycled out to Banachra woods for a run over these two local hills, fine day with a cold wind. left the forest road to got through the pine trees and up the overgrown path to Ben Bowie, down a soggy ridge to the 3LW and along to the bottom of Killoeter, short run up and over the top back down to the 3LW and John Muir Trail to Banachra for the cycle home.

Bromley Muir again

Another local hill run, decided to stay local as I started a bit late, same route as last week except in the opposite direction, Stoneymollen to Ben Bowie, round to Killoeter and back via Bromley Muir, a few minutes quicker this week!

Bromley Muir

Stormy weekend, saw there was to be a lull Sat morning time for a run over my local hills, Bromley Muir with a loop round Killoeter & Ben Bowie (opposite direction to last week). farm track to the Radio Mast to start then the path to the Fort, Bromley Muir next, nice and soggy as expected. Short forest road section to the steep climb onto Killoeter's ridge, more wet ground along the ridge, easy on my feet. another short section of forest road before the harsh surface on the 3LW, took the ridge path to Ben Bowie, returned via Killoeter's ridge avoiding the forestry works then 3LW down the Stoney, fine morning to be out, breezy mostly sunny with one wee shower. 

Ben Bowie & Killoeter

Easy run today, from Banachra Woods, rain starting as I set off up the forest road, turned off through the forest , a bit of shelter here, left the forest on the path on the North side of Ben Bowie, No views from the top today, set off down the ridge joining the 3LW about half way down, from the crossroads took the Hel n Back route up to the end of Killoeters ridge and onto the narrow path through the forest brake to the top, continued on to rejoin the 3LW and then the John Muir Trail down to Banachra.

Ted Baker - Doughnot Hill Race

Club race, the Ted Baker, a new route over Doughnot Hill, starting and finishing at Overton House. Just under 5 miles with about 1000' of ascent. Mostly trail with a short section of open hill up and over Doughnot Hill. Just over 2 miles undulating up to the top of Doughnot Hill, started in 1st place, dropped into 2nd on the short hill section to the top and stayed in 2nd to the end. Over the top and down to the Black Linn reservoir, trail form here to the finish, a couple of short uphills but mostly downhill all the way back to Overton House. Post race club sprint and doughnuts to finish, nice addition to the club race calendar

Hammer Run

Easier Arochar run this week, Narnain and The Cobbler via the tourist path, more of a trail run with plenty of ascent. Forecast ok for the AM to get worse as the day progressed probably why the Succoth car park was only half full. Legs a bit tired maybe due to yesterdays bike ride. Took it slow running up the 2nd zig zags, easier going as the gradient eases on the path passing the Narnain Boulders to Bealach a'Mhaim. Walked up the steps/path to Narnains summit, quiet in the mist. Round the trig, down to the Bealach and another walk up to the Cobblers plateau, a few more walkers about now. A quick refuel, back to the Bealach for the 3rd time, finished with an easy run down past the Boulders, taking the argo track to Succoth avoiding the zig zags.

 

Sgurr na Stri

Stayed at the Sligachan Campsite on Skye for a few days, glorious weather, sunny, warm with a good midge deterring breeze, Walkhighlands had what looked like a good run from the campsite to Sgurr na Stri, with what was meant to be some of the best views in Britain, route guide said 14 miles and 1800' of ascent, turned out over 15 miles with 2700' of ascent, but the views were good! Reasonably flat for the first and last 5 miles, the 5 miles in the middle had most of the ascent. Good breeze but still hot, crossed lots of streams and used them to soak/cool my hat/head. A few walkers out as well. The first part of the climb is up and over the shoulder of Sgurr Hain then a rocky traverse to Sgur na Stri, walked quite a lot of this section taking care over the rocks and taking in the views to the surrounding hills Loch Coruisk and the stunning Black Cuillin Ridge, a 6 mile chain of rocky peaks and spires. The last climb up to Sgurr na Stri steep but thankfully short, with a short jog along the top to the summit. Took inb the views with a few pictures which don't do it justice then set off for the return, slow traverse across to Sgurr Hain then the trail back to Sligachan, tired for the last couple of miles but happy.

Whinny Hill Trail Race

Club Trail race, starts/finishes at the castle in Balloch Park, a loop round the grassy slopes in front of the castle followed by a run out to Whinny Hill and back to the Castle, about a 1/4 of a mile shorter than usual as the top of Whinny Hill out of bounds due to forestry work. Ground dry made for fast running, started out in 3rd place, got into 2nd and stayed there to the end, just over a minute behind the winner. 9 of us ran, hopefully get the full route next time.

Bromley Muir

Afternoon run , same route as a couple of weeks ago except in reverse, slightly slower possibly due to a late night! Another cloudy run, no views, a wee shower as well, dried up for the run over Bromley Muir.

 

Loch Garbad and Eas Mor from Seal Bay

Another weekend away, a long postponed ferry trip mean we chose Arran, after a night in Brodick we set off for Seal Bay Campsite at Kildonan, found a shortish trail to Loch Garbad on Walking The Highlands, 5 or 6 miles, the first and last mile on the road, although I saw a few paths that could have reduced that. The trail starts beside a cafe with a sort drop over a bridge/river then a steep climb beside a stream, the trail passes a tikki style outdoor bar then a small cottage called The Library, its internal walls and roof covered in messages, notes and stories left by the visitors along with a few books. the trail exits the forest and climbs gently for another mile or so then a short steep grassy path that tops out at the loch, a narrow path seemed to skirt the loch but I turned back towards the forest, took a path down the other side of the stream passing the Eas Mor waterfall, impressive height even if there wasn't much water, back on the road for a mile or so running through the village of Kildonan and its impressive beach side properties.