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Ben Venue Challenge
3rd October 2009
A brand new race on the Scottish hill running calendar, and the first hill race ever organised by Bellahouston Road Runners.
The weather was looking a bit iffy before we started, with heavy squalls and violent winds. The start was delayed whilst a decision was made on the safety aspect of the race. Eventually it had to conceded that visiting the tops was simply not an option since the mountain rescue guys up the hill were getting blown off their feet. So 'Plan B' was a shorter lower level route that followed the tourist path up to a 575m col, and then back the same way.
The first few km was on hard forest track before emerging on to the open hillside for a couple of kilometres of quagmire to reach the col. Trying to round the cairn on the ridge you were suddenly hit by the full force of the wind that made any sort of progress almost impossible. A staggering lunge to get round the cairn, then instantly jet-blasted back down the hill.
The race was won by Matt Williamson of Bellahouston in 51:17, with Fiona Maxell first lady in 59:22.
Five Westies ran:
9. Chris Upson, 56:20
15. Dave Rogers, 58:28
34. Hamilton Semple, 1:06:15
42. Ellie Homewood, 1:10:49
64. Helen MacPherson, 1:16:59
Posted by Chris Upson on Mon 5 Oct 2009 | 1 comment
Category Hill Race
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Hamilton said...
After more than one trip North for hill-WALKING, Ben Venue was a good hill to finish off on, before having to get back to city life. A stay at Loch Ard Hostel, rattling round in those wooden- pannelled rooms (always plenty of space),set you up for the last climb.from Ledard. Some may remember(Dave,Muffy, JD,& I,) ran up from Ledard one Wed. night few years ago and it was really boggy,quick visit to the summit and it was, right let's get out of this wind, not to say gale.
So, this time our approach was from t'other side, The Trossachs Hotel side. Naturally,had to stay overnight,just to try it out.
(Actually, my sister used to work there many years ago, having a party that was so "good" that we were head-banging off the walls.
Well, it must have been the seventies-oh so that's alright then).
O.K. did'nt stay the night.
Plenty of showers on the journey, and the wind gusting to remind you that this was going to be tough on the tops, if we were to get there. Bright sun, then more showers, while we jogged 5 mins. up the track to get to Registration.
Eventually, we were off, for the shortened route (if anyone was is any doubt how would you call it when a 16 stone mountain rescue guy was being blown off his feet).
As Chris said, that final part up to the cairn at the col, was as about as hard as ever and was still going backwards. Pumping the arms to get some momentum. then, when you turned.............WHOOOOOOSHH & it was 100mph, well close.
Then it was just a blur.
Great Race,great day out.
Well done Andy Birnie and his army of marshals, and to Lomond Mountain Rescue. Not forgetting the gargantuan supplies of food post-race, we remain" prodigiously obliged to you Sir".
Tuesday 6th October 2009 2.30pm