Having navigated around the route in the mist last week Sarah and myself had a go at the race for real. The route is 14.7km and has 910m of climbing. The weather conditions were great for running, clear blue skies, not too windy and a bit cold, in fact there was some snow at the top of Andrew Gannel Hill and at the top of Ben Cleuch (721m).
The first 3km are along the foot of the Ochils to Tillicoultry, and then there is a long climb almost to Maddy Moss, from there another sharpish climb to the top of Andrew Gannel Hill. Once at the top there is a steady run following the fence to the top of Ben Cleuch. After Ben Cleuch the route is almost all downhill, there is a small climb to Ben Ever, but mostly fast and downhill back to the start at Alva.
Alasdair Anthony, Ochil Hill Runners won the race in a time of 1:12:22.
The first lady home was Natalie White, Kendal AC, in a time of 1:27:09
I finished 43rd in a time of 1:33:21 and Sarah finished 92nd with a time of 1:49:51
There were 127 finishers in the race.
Thanks to Chris Upson for organising the race and to the marshals out on the hills.
