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The second counter in this championship was held at Durisdeer in the Lowther Hills on Saturday. A record entry of 270 was a far cry from the 33 who did it last time. The crude statistics of 14.7km and an accumulative climb of 1240m told only half the story of a challenging course of steep climbs / descents, sheep trods and rock strewn grasslands. I ran with Derek Rigmand who bravely was only just recovering from a nasty “fever”. We arrived in the beautiful hamlet of Durisdeer in good time. The hamlet of about 12 houses and one huge church has the air of “Brigadoon” about it (it sleeps for 100 years between races). After Derek took some of the healing waters, we wandered into the gothic mausoleum to discover a stunning burial vault covered by a large marble canopy, carved cherubs, and macabre skulls. However enough, on with the race as they say. The first section is a steep climb up Black Hill (531m) followed by a sheer, sheer descent down the rock strewn “Pettylung”. After Dalveen farm the course follows two very steep valleys around Steygail. Line choices were critical here. I stuck to the burn for the first half which gave a bit of an advantage over those contouring around the hill. Once round the hill my fence “hurdle” left my foot caught in the wire, face in a thistle and calves in a spasm. The course then involved clambering further over rough ground to Lavern burn. This then led to the foot of Well Hill which is a total misnomer. The hill is an ill crawl. After that there was some good running for tired legs back round to Black Hill. It was on the route back up Black Hill that the “healing waters” kicked in for Derek and he flew passed me. Heading down to the finish, my time was well up on last year and I was feeling well chuffed. Unfortunately however hill running is a cruel mistress. Before hitting the funnel, Brian Brennan of Westerlands, flew passed me still clutching the sole of a shoe he had lost half way round the course. There was consolation for my soul in the wonderful array of post-race tea and cakes in the church. Tired bodies were strewn about the church yard with their picnics made me mindful of the Mexican Day of the Dead. The whole day was wonderful and topped by Scottish victories for Tom Owens (Shettleston) and Jasmin Paris (Carnethy). Next stop Wasdale. David Stakes Photo by Chris Wimbush [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Distance: 15.5k Climb:870m The sight of blood running down the knees of the unlucky ones made me more determined to get down Fellow Bella Jamie Howie & myself ran up and down Arran’s highest along with another 200. During our voyage across from Ardrossan the waters were choppy with rain thrashing down on us – memories came flooding back to last years Bella Arran weekend – “Martie Pellow”. Stepping onto the Island and by some miracle the skies cleared and the rain shifted over to the mainland which brought a smile to all. Heading on foot over to the Ormidale Pavilion the atmosphere was building, jackets & layers getting stuffed into rucksacks leaving Goatfell with a blue background. Once dressed we decided to go for a little run around the grass field at the back of the Pavilion chatting to other runners with the main topic being “who’s going to finish in second place?”. You start with a lap on the grass with plenty of support from the sides then out onto the road for about a mile leading up onto forrest trails before you start to climb onto the hill. Trying my best to keep going the steepness really kicks in which brings you to hands on knees dance forward – most people do this. About mile 4 a tall bearded guy wearing a white vest with a blue band across it came flying towards me, this guy was motoring and was obviously in a hurry to get down – it was Finlay Wild – David Beckham of Hill Running. By then I realised I wasn’t going to win this race, I was 20mins away from the top. It gets tricky near the top with a little scrambling involved, however, the descent is bonkers, finding top gear comes easy but dangerous dodging folk that have still to summit. The sight of blood running down the knees of the unlucky ones made me more determined to get down before I got bitten by the Mountain Beast. Running down boulder fields allows only for nano-second decision making on foot landings, plays havoc on the brain especially when other runners are trying to overtake you. Eventually you hit the trail allowing to push a little harder and any luck over-take a few that went out too strong. The last section brings you back down through the forest onto the road for the last mile. Well marshalled throughout, you finish with a grass lap and plenty of shouts to run faster(I will next time) then over to a water station followed by tea,coffee and all the cake you can devour. Nobody really cares who finishes second, which is a shame. Finlay Wild 1hr 14mins “unofficial” giving him a 2min Pb on last years time. This race is well organised from top to bottom, with the Arran Mountain Rescue guys out on the mountain which brings a massive sense of security. Derek’s time 1hr 50min {unoffical} Jamie’s time 1hr 58min {unofficial} Look forward to […]