Saturday, Sep 2 2000

10 Miles 4400ft Category AM

Starts at 14:00:00

Pre-Entries required by by 31 Jul

From Claggan Park, Fort William, Invernessshire.

Super event with the most raz-a-ma-taz of any hill race. The organisation has come in for critiscism for their non-laddish way of carrying on. See the alternative event. I don’t agree. The thing is notionally well run and done with some very fifties style and panash consisting of marquees,pipe bands and a vernacular commentator.
This is the nearest that you get to a real mountain in the UK and in September that can be very near. Make sure that you do have plenty of protection in terms of waterproof clothing, additional cover, grub and a compass and map. The other exciting thing about the Ben is the mixture of reasonable tourist path and huge cliffs.
The race is unlike any other with a 4200 feet climb and then descent. The descent is the most testing that I have raced. There is boulder near the top then mud and gravel at the Red Burn followed by a long formerly well made path. Now it has substantial boulders sticking up for added interest. The final mile of road lets all sorts of injustices/revenges happen.

It is a constant source of pride and happiness that I managed 1:46 one year. That was some time ago and I weighed less than I do now!
One of the stalwart contributors to this site organises an alternative race at the same time. This is daft and could conceivably cause confusion for marshalls counting. I recommend you ignore it.
SAF Safety Rules apply

 Men's Record is 1:25:34 set by K Stuart in 1984.

 Women's Record is 01:43:25 set by P Haworth in 1984

  Contact details are G McFarlane,
16 Grange Terrace, Fort William,
PH33 6HB,
Tel 01397 704189