The Bella Ben Venue Hill Race will take place on Saturday 1st October, 2011, at 1pm.  All proceeds from the race will go to Lomond Mountain Rescue Team funds – visit their website for more on their excellent work.

Ben Venue is the heart of the Trossachs, nestling between Loch Katrine and Loch Achray.  Close to Aberfoyle and only 30 minutes drive from Glasgow & Stirling, it offers an easy to access a hill with a remote feel!

In 2011, the race will be the final event in the SHR Championship, so we are expecting a big (& fast) field.

Entry details

With the larger entry expected this year, it would be appreciated if you pre-entered, by sending the entry form to Ben Venue Entries, 4 Jubilee Gardens, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 2RT (cheques made payable to Bellahouston Road Runners).  You can also enter on the day, but there is a £1 surcharge, and note that registration will close at 12.30 to avoid the last minute rush of last year.  Please print out and complete the entry form (found here), and bring it with your payment to registration, which is open from 11.30-12.30 at the Ben Venue Car Park. Entrants must be over 18.  Cost is £5 for SAF members and £2 extra for non-members, plus £1 extra for entries on the day.

Please also review the detailed course description (click here).

Requirements

You will be required to carry a map, compass, whistle, full waterproof body cover, hat and gloves.  Entrants must be over 18.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded for seniors, vets and teams.

Getting there

By car, there is limited car parking available at Ben Venue, Ben A’an and Loch Katrine car parks.  We’re negotiating with the Forestry Commission to get extra car parking this year, but please car share!

Facilities

The closest public toilets to the race start are at the pier of Loch Katrine (500m only).  There is also a café here for any hungry supporters.

Race details

7.5 miles, with 3,000 feet of ascent. The race will start this year at the Ben Venue car park (Grid Ref 506 069), at 1pm.  Click here for a more detailed overview of the course, profile and for the detailed map with annotations. You must use the detailed map for navigation.

The route is a mixture of paths & open ground.  You will require the ability to navigate on the open hill.  There will be marshals at key points around the course and the paths on the lower section will be marked.

The race starts at the car park (Grid Ref 506 069), then over the 1st rise on a narrow path to join the water board road at  Grid Ref 500 068.  After approx 500m on tarmac, the route crosses the new bridge across Achray water, before climbing the excellent new walking paths through the forest up to Grid Ref 474 052.

After the gate, turn right and climb the shoulder to reach the summit of Ben Venue.

Follow the eroded muddy path along the ridge, heading generally westward, passing the cairn marking the walkers route down (Grid Ref 468 062).

Continue on the ridge following the old fence line, until a marshal will indicate the way down.

Descend across the open hill for 2km to the forest edge, picking up a landrover track (Grid Ref 483 051) for 500m heading back towards the walkers path that was used for the climb up through the forest.

Follow this route back down to the race start.

Bad Weather

If there is bad weather on the day, the race organiser will take advice from the Lomond Mountain Rescue Team, who will be out on duty that day – contingency routes have been planned, so please don’t be put off if the forecast isn’t ideal.

Questions?

If you’ve any questions, please e-mail benvenue@bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk, or call Andy Birnie on 0141 237 3503. Alternatively, post a comment below, although note that comments are moderated, so may not immediately appear.

Results

• Results from 2010 are available on our Ben Venue 2010 race report (link).
• Chris Upson’s picasa pictures are available here.

Race reports, pictures and coverage

• Pictures from 2009, from Scottish Hill Runners flickr page, are here.
• SHR race report for the 2009 event is available on their website, here.
• Results for last years race have were published on the club news page. Click here for details.

Updates

• We have added a detailed course description, maps, coordinates and checkpoint locations, on the Bella Ben Venue course description page. Click here for more detail.
• Detailed map (click) emphasised as required for navigation.