It was a mad 30 mile dash from Bearsden through the night to get to the start line in Callander on time, but, thankfully I made it for the second in the series of three races.
It was a relatively mild night and the rain stayed off making for good conditions although the paths below the Callander Crags were slippy and mucky in parts so I was glad to be wearing my trail shoes.
The route took the group of 80 runners on paths towards Bracklinn Falls which included a fair few tough hills although one was on tarmac. I kept with a lady I had ran with in the last race in Aberfoyle but she was more tentative than me on the downhills so got past her and managed to keep it going on the next tough climb and got past a couple more on a particularly muddy stretch through the trees.
It was a fairly straightforward 4 mile out-and-back and not as tough as Aberfoyle which was a bit longer.
Managed a strong finish back through the trails and even had a mini race with a lady I had slowly caught up with who it turned out finished exactly the same time as me 45:00, although I am listed as 62nd and she is 63rd, I win?!
Enjoyable and social wee event involving chatting to different runners one of whom had travelled from Perth for the race after I had mentioned it on the Highland Fling Facebook page.
My new head torch performed well so no messy falls for once although have to admit was envious of the massive graze a bloke I got chatting to in the car park was sporting after he had an early tumble in the race!
First male: Robert Simpson (Shettleston) – 25:33
First female: Catriona Buchannan (Ochil HR) – 31:50
