Sunday 26 March 2017
Saturday 11 March 2017
Ben Gullipen Hill Race
After last months slopfest at Glentress I was ready for another hill race in any conditions. This race fitted the calendar nicely, although the distance wasn't massive (13km). The Skidaddle event company seemed well organised from their website and entry process so was hoping for a good event.
Sadly the weather didn't agree and it was pouring with rain when I arrived at the car park start point ninety minutes early. After registering, I sat in the car watching other athletes arrive. The event was also advertised as a Cani-Cross race (dogs on leads) and there were several fit looking dogs straining at their leashes.
I went for a short warm up along the road and a 'comfort break' near the bridge before returning for the race briefing and finally we were off. The route was a simple up and down/out and back following vehicle tracks initially through the forest and then on the open hillside above 300m but still on vehicle track.
The surface for the couple of kms was large rocky compacted hardcore. Not very friendly to run on, but it was the start and everyone was jostling for position so passed quickly. After 3km I was into a stable position and the course began to stretch out. The rain had stopped, but a mist hung over all the trees and the air was very damp.
We left the forest through a metal kissing gate and then followed a rather churned up track towards the summit of the hill. Within 500m the leaders passed on their way back down; they were going hell for leather and some of them looked like they were flying. It was think mist now, and only knew I was at the summit when a parked Land Rover loomed out of the gloom marking the turning point. I grabbed a cup of water from the tail of the LR and then headed down.
The two figures (male & female) I had been following disappeared into the mist and I struggled to keep up, but once onto flatter terrain out of the mist I upped the pace and drew them back. Unfortunately once back in the forest, I was struck by abdominal cramp and it slowed me up. Looking over my shoulder I was alone - nobody in sight so I plodded on. I felt I was in 12th or 13th place so quite happy. Back on the rough gravel track, I then discovered a group of runners behind me approaching fast! I tried to up the pace but to no avail and they were obviously using me as a stepping stone to the finish.
I lost at least 5 places and came in 19/76 in 01:05:12 but not too unhappy.
Results here
Sadly the weather didn't agree and it was pouring with rain when I arrived at the car park start point ninety minutes early. After registering, I sat in the car watching other athletes arrive. The event was also advertised as a Cani-Cross race (dogs on leads) and there were several fit looking dogs straining at their leashes.
I went for a short warm up along the road and a 'comfort break' near the bridge before returning for the race briefing and finally we were off. The route was a simple up and down/out and back following vehicle tracks initially through the forest and then on the open hillside above 300m but still on vehicle track.
The surface for the couple of kms was large rocky compacted hardcore. Not very friendly to run on, but it was the start and everyone was jostling for position so passed quickly. After 3km I was into a stable position and the course began to stretch out. The rain had stopped, but a mist hung over all the trees and the air was very damp.
We left the forest through a metal kissing gate and then followed a rather churned up track towards the summit of the hill. Within 500m the leaders passed on their way back down; they were going hell for leather and some of them looked like they were flying. It was think mist now, and only knew I was at the summit when a parked Land Rover loomed out of the gloom marking the turning point. I grabbed a cup of water from the tail of the LR and then headed down.
The two figures (male & female) I had been following disappeared into the mist and I struggled to keep up, but once onto flatter terrain out of the mist I upped the pace and drew them back. Unfortunately once back in the forest, I was struck by abdominal cramp and it slowed me up. Looking over my shoulder I was alone - nobody in sight so I plodded on. I felt I was in 12th or 13th place so quite happy. Back on the rough gravel track, I then discovered a group of runners behind me approaching fast! I tried to up the pace but to no avail and they were obviously using me as a stepping stone to the finish.
I lost at least 5 places and came in 19/76 in 01:05:12 but not too unhappy.
 |
| Nearing the summit in the mist |
 |
| On the way back down - abdomen cramping |
Results here
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