Despite the recent lack of races, our runners have had a busy few months. From May to July, we have competed in three ultramarathons:
- Kintyre Way Ultra
- West Highland Way Challenge Race
- Great Glen Ultra Marathon
Kintyre Way Ultra – 8 May 2021
The 32 mile route from Tayinloan to Tarbert has the potential to be glorious as demonstrated in last year’s race report. It wasn’t to be this year however with strong winds and rain in place for most of the race – no expansive views to be had this time.
Craig P, Chris, Lynsey and Kevin made up the solo runners and Natalie, Ryan and Scott teamed up for the Maryhillbillies in the relay.
The race followed the same staggered start format as last year which made it tough to get a handle on positions until the final results were published.
The beach section was as leg sapping as ever and we were then rewarded with the full force of the wind once on the road section to Clachan. From thereon in the weather just got worse and worse and the section from Clachan to Skipness was a particularly tough slog.
Kevin was first Harrier home in 5th place, 4:54:31 (thanks to fellow Harriers helping him out with running fuel and gear after he left half his stuff in Glasgow) followed by Craig, 15th, 5:26:19; Lynsey, 9th Lady, 6:13:01; and Chris, 59th, 7:14:55. Ryan ran the first section for the Maryhillbillies, followed by Scott and Natalie bringing them home in 4th place in 5:16:46.
Links to results and more information on the Kintyre Way Ultra website.
Kintyre Way Ultra 2021 – Google Photos
West Highland Way Challenge Race – 29 May 2021
Chris and Lynsey signed up as late entries for the West Highland Way Challenge Race, an alternative to the West Highland Way Race which was cancelled as a result of Covid restrictions. Also running was Chris’ brother-in-law, Gareth who was running it for the second time and was being supported in the latter stages by Craig P.
The 95 mile race with 14,700ft of elevation took the North to South route, from Fort William to Milngavie meaning the gruelling mountain section of the West Highland Way was tackled at the start of the race. Chris and Lynsey were providing regular updates and made good early progress with some stunning photographs to boot!
The particularly hot weekend took its toll on a lot of runners and unfortunately for Chris it wasn’t to be, calling it a day after 58 miles. Mind and body were in great shape but his feet were trashed making walking too much of a struggle, never mind running another 41 miles (Chris had got lost at earlier section adding another 3 miles and we later learned Lynsey had done the same). An outstanding effort nonetheless.
Lynsey continued on, supported by her partner Barrie and friends along the way, and after a rest and bit of breakfast at St Mocha she powered up Conic Hill to press onto the last stretch home. A brilliant race by Lynsey and the pride of Maryhill Harriers as she rocked into Milngavie just over 30 hours in 30:23 and 7th lady (and a total of 99 miles).
Craig met Gareth at Rowardennan who went on to finish in 5th place in a time of 22:09. Craig reported that he was running well and finished strongly to score a big pb.
Great Glen Ultra Marathon – 3 July 2021
The Great Glen Ultra is a 72 mile route with 8,500ft of climbing that follows the Great Glen Way from Fort William to Inverness. It was another late entry for our Harriers. Kevin and Lynsey signed up after the cancellation of the West Highland Way (before Lynsey also signed up for the WHW Challenge Race).
The race starts at 1am and for the first race in a while, all runners started together. Running with headtorches along the canal made it look like it was snowing midges. The first 30 miles of the run are fairly straightforward, a mixture of canal, roads and forest paths with some gentle ups and downs. The midges weren’t too bad once you got moving but ate you alive at the early checkpoints.
Kevin was sounding positive in the early stages of the race, getting in with a good group of runners and ticking off the miles. Lynsey started feeling a bit gubbed after 14 miles, her body still recovering after her fantastic WHW efforts. Nonetheless, determined to run an ultra distance, Lynsey called it a day at checkpoint 3, Fort Augustus, after 32 miles. A superb run so soon after the WHW.
Kevin had plantar fasciitis in the lead up to the race so it was no surprise when it reared its ugly head after about 20 miles. A run walk strategy was used to get to Fort Augustus and from thereon in it was a case of just keep going to the finish. The second half of the race is where all the big climbs come and runners were rewarded with fantastic views along the route as the sun came out. Sticking with the run walk approach (which involved more walking than running) Kevin kept ticking off the checkpoints. With four miles to go his legs remembered how to run and he blasted his way to the finish line at Inverness Athletics Stadium, completing a lap of the running track to finish the race in 14:53:10 and in 19th position.
Further info and results can be found on the Great Glen Ultra – Race Chat page on Facebook.
Well done to all our Harriers who did brilliantly and thank you so much to all the organisers and marshals for putting on such great events in a challenging environment. Thanks also to everyone who supported our runners in their endeavours.
