Wolf Howl

Hill Running in Badenoch

Creag Bheag 2011 Results

Jun 18

Posted by Stuart in Creag Bheag Hill Race | No Comments

The slightly damp conditions this year didn’t get in the way of a good race, with Ross Bannerman making the effort to travel from the frozen north to win this year, and set a course record of 29:09. Gill Irvine was the first lady again – making it 3 out of 3, in 33:32.

A special ‘ironman’ prize was also awarded to Craig Ireland who mountain biked over Carn Ban Mor before running the hill race.. we are not worthy!

Results:

Position Name Time
1 Ross Bannerman 29:09
2 Scott Grosdanoff 29:52
3 Gordon Stewart 29:57
4 Stuart Forrest 33:30
5 Gill Irvine 33:32
6 Ricky Macdonald 33:36
7 Cathy Slimon 35:42
8 Nicky Fleming 36:33
9 Craig Ireland 36:51
10 Thomas Bannerman 52:32
11 Alison Johnston 52:40

Thanks everyone – see you again next year!

Sgor Gaoith mid-week run

Jun 16

Posted by Stuart in Local Routes, Wednesday Running | No Comments

After being called-off last week, the weather last night was ‘acceptable’ for a trot up Sgor Gaoith from Glen Feshie – surely one of the best value Munro’s in the Cairngorms.

Four of us – Gordon, Manny, Stuart Forrest and myself, met in Glen Feshie beside the glider fields and headed on up the track through the trees, and onto the approach path. Only once we got out of the trees could we see the dark rain clouds heading down the glen!

Rain clouds in Strathspey

Rain clouds in Strathspey - heading our way!

Sure enough, just as we crossed the burn, the rain hit us and it was looking like a classic clag/rain/nil-visibility slog!.. onwards and upwards, and just as we approached the summit ridge, that rarest of things happened – yes, the rain stopped, the cloud shifted and we got a clear, dry summit, catching brief glimpses of the great views as the cloud scudded by!

Read the rest of this entry »

Creag Bheag Hill Race 2011

Jun 10

Posted by Stuart in Creag Bheag Hill Race | No Comments

This years race will take place on Saturday 18th June 2011 at Ardvonie Park, Kingussie (behind the Duke of Gordon hotel).

Entry costs £3. Registration on the day only.

Registration starts 2pm.

Race starts 3pm.

The village fete is on all afternoon, so there will be plenty of refreshments and lots for all the family to do!

Meall a’Bhuachaille race 2010

Oct 31

Posted by Stuart in Race Report | No Comments

Saturday’s Meall a’ Bhuachaille race proved once and for all that even a monster hangover can indeed be cleared by a hill run!

I finished this year in 1:04 which was 2 minutes slower than last year, but the first heather-baching climb and the 50mph wind on the ridge managed to clear my head for an evening of pumpkin lantern carving and halloween hijinks with the kids, so the job was a good ‘un!

Aviemore Half Marathon 2010

Oct 20

Posted by Stuart in Local Routes, Race Report | No Comments

aviemore half marathon

Aviemore Half Marathon 2010. Image by Action Heros

After spending all day Saturday mixing concrete and laying brickwork, I could hardly get off the sofa Saturday night, and the thought of hammering out my first sub-90 minute half marathon on Sunday did not appeal!!.. Read the rest of this entry »

Only 10 sleeps until Ben Nevis 2010!

Aug 24

Posted by Stuart in Ben Nevis Race, Training Log | No Comments

My, how fast a year goes by. Last year,  with less than 2 weeks before the Ben, I did a ‘benchmark’ hill repeat session that approximated the height and gradient of 1/2 the Ben. Well, this year, with 10 days to the Ben, I went out and did it again!

Last year’s total time was 51:49 – and this years time was 48:07 – just short of 4 minutes faster than last year, which is encouraging for a sub 2-hr time. Also encouraging is the consistency of the splits (cant find last years but I’m sure they were not as consistent!):

Repeat 1 2 3 4
Up 7:28 7:48 7:51 7:49
Down 4:13 4:13 4:23 4:18

Whew, I’m glad that is over – looking forward to the race now!

Autumn 2010 Programme

Aug 18

Posted by Stuart in Wednesday Running | No Comments

Gordon has published his Autumn schedule for Wednesday nights (meet 6.30pm). Looks a good one!..

Date Route Meeting at Time Length Ascent Type of route
18 Aug Two Bothies loop 32 Croila Rd, Kingussie 1h 45 min 16km 430m Land rover tracks and some rough ground
25 Aug Blackwood Near Spey Dam, 584935 1h 30m 12km 550m Along a wooded ridge and also track and quiet road
1 Sep Three Creags 32 Croila Rd, Kingussie 1h 45m 12.5km 620m Slightly extended and more scenic variation of the 3 Creags route
8 Sep Farleitire Loop Parking area in Insh Village 1h 15m 11km 350m Good paths and tracks over wooded hills in Uath Lochans area
15 Sep Carn Dearg Mor Lynwilg 882107 1h 30 min 8.5 km 560m Rugged hill beside Burma Road
22 Sep Cluny Loop Cluny Road end 647945 1h 50min 13km 660m Short hill run plus land rover track and visit to bothy
29 Sep Creag Dubh Lochan Uvie 1h 5km 500m Ascent of Creag Dubh including visit to Cluny’s Cave
6 Oct An Suidhe Suidhe Hotel 1h 10km 330m Up the Suidhe followed by a pint in the Bar

The 2010 Scottish Hill Running Championships

Aug 18

Posted by Stuart in SHR Championships | No Comments

A couple of weeks have passed since the last race of the 2010 SHR Championships, which has been enough time for me to recover from the ordeal of the Glenshee 9, and gather some thoughts on the championships as a whole. Read the rest of this entry »

Creag Bheag 2010 Results

Jun 19

Posted by Stuart in Creag Bheag Hill Race | No Comments

This years results below. Last years results are here.

A strong run from the young guns this year saw Scott Dixon win with a 18 second lean on Callum Irvine and Scott Grasdanoff who battled it out for second and third place.

Gill Irvine won first woman ahead of Cathy Slimon, with Emma Sinclair winning third spot in a sprint finish with Kenny Deans.

Special well done to Sandy Grigor, who managed to take the wrong turn for the second year in a row!

Thanks all.

Position Name Time
1 Scott Dixon 30:38
2 Calum Irvine 30:56
3 Scott Grasdanoff 30:57
4 Hamish Irvine 32:53
5 Gill Irvine 33:38
6 Cathy Slimon 34:56
7 Douglas Wilson 35:40
8 Sandy Grigor 36:23
9 David Robertson 37:16
10 Emma Sinclair 39:27
11 Kenny Deans 39:27
12 Alison Johnston 52:59

Creag Bheag Hill Race 2010

Jun 3

Posted by Stuart in Creag Bheag Hill Race | No Comments

Creag Bheag from Creag Bhalg

As part of this years ‘Kingussie Karnival’ the Creag Bheag hill race will take place on Saturday 19th June 2010, 3pm.

Entry costs £3 and registration is from 2pm.

There will be plenty of entertainment for all the family from 2pm, including kids ’sports day’, slow bicycle events, and much more.. and sunshine guaranteed!

Last years results are here.

Vital Statistics:

Date: Saturday 19th June, 3pm
Place: Advonie Park, Kingussie
Distance: 5k
Ascent: 250m