Cort Ma Law

First run in this race since 2019, renowned for its bogs, 70 plus runners set off, warm evening thankfully with a breeze when the sun came out, run and walk up the steep starting slope, into a steady run as the gradient eases, keep running all the way to CML summit, the bogs reasonably dry so far, that didn't last, there's usually a few bogs from CML to The Leckett this year they seemed to have joined together for long stretches of strength sapping tussock hopping , hoping, to avoid the mushy bogs, hard work all the way to The Leckett, short downhill into the gulley then a short climb and trudge towards the final pit of doom bog, managed to cling to the fence at the side and avoid a swim, try to pick up the pace as the route undulates down then a mad dash steeply down to the finish in 51st place.

Beinn Dubh Hill Race

Fine evening for this short race, about 100 runners set off, run the flatter parts but mostly walking, hands on knees helping push up hill, settled in near the back, picked off a few on the way up, round the cairn and back down, reeled in a few on the top half then tried to close the gap on the next group across the plateau, passed a few more on the last steep drop into the start field, claiming one more victim with a sprint to the line.

Beinn Dubh Hill Race

Good to be back running a Wednesday evening Bog and Burn race, first one since 2019. Just over 100 runners set off on a cool sunny evening, ground very dry even for Beinn Dubh, bogs non existent, ran the flatter sections on the way up, round the cairn at the top then set off to catch as many as I could on the way down, finished in 73rd place, cooled down was a seat in Luss Water.

Not far from the top!

Cort Ma Law Hill Race

Tough wee Bog and Burn race, steep climb to start, managed to run pretty much all of it, yo yoing positions with the jog walkers, after the first kilometre the gradient eases and although undulating up for the next 4 km the route becomes quite runnable if you can navigate the luminous emerald green bogs between Cort Ma Law and the Leckett. Managed to pick off a few runners before the Leckett then another few in the short drop to the stream crossings, jogged most of the way back to the crossover point apart from a short section cutting the corner as you come out the ditch. Running into from the broken fence the wind strong enough to blow you about as you begin to tire before picking off another 3 or so runners on the fun run down the steep slopes to finish inside 69 minutes.

Approaching the finish making sure I'm not overtaken.

Photo courtesy Barbara McLeod, Westies

Beinn Dubh Hill Race

First Bog and Burn race of the year for me, 4 miles all in, 2 up and 2 down. Over 100 runners tonight. Ground very dry and a cool wind blowing at the top. Set off with a jog walk jog walk trying to keep the effort high. First half of the climb went well, eased off a bit on the second half, reached the top in about 38 minutes, round the cairn and started easy then built up as much speed as I could, the turf quite dry and springy at first. Kept it going across the plateau, ground very dry on the the last steeper drop to finish inside 52 minutes, a PB by about as minute.

Maddy Moss Hill Race

5th go at this race, starts and finishes just behind Tillicoutry. 70 of us set off up steep grassy slopes to reach the path traversing round to the Law, slow climb running where I could, undulating run from the Law to Ben Cleuch then back across to Andrew Gannel Hill. Short down and up through Maddy Moss before a long gradual descent towards Tillicoutry, the last section providing a mixture of rough and steep grassy descending to finish in about 78 minutes.

Maddy Moss hill race

Warm sunny evening, race or head for the hills, decided to race, early start 7pm got there with half an hour to spare. Short steep climb to start before a narrow flat trail to the main climb up the Law, hands on knees and push for 20 plus minutes with a few wee short jogs on the flatter bits. Enjoyed the climb probably meant i didn't push it too hard or hard enough. Over the top of the Law and running to Ben Cleuch round the cairn and back past the Law to Andrew Gannel hill. A short down and up then a longer down hill to Mill glen to a short steeper rocky drop to rejoin the outward track back to finish inside 75 mins.

Cort Ma Law hill race

Great conditions for this race blue skies and a breeze to keep the midges away. Kit checked and we were off and running slowly up the steep trail to the Lairs then CML. Ran most of the way to the top, a couple of short walks on steep rocky parts. Pick up the pace as the gradient eases, over a few minor tops and a couple of bogs before the top of CML always people to pass and a few getting past me. CML to Lecket hill fun, the bogs not as big this year but still slows other people more than me. Steady run into the gulley keeping something for the climb out and run back. Short walk then manage a slow jog through the tussocks gradually increasing the effort. Over the fence onto smoother turf keep pushing and passing other runners. Hit the downslope hard and pick off another 3 or so runners to finish under 69 minutes, about 3 minutes quicker than last year.