Lairig Ghru

29th JUNE 1997

Having been renamed by an irreverent pair of female Westies fell runners (Who I wont glorify by naming them here!) I have decided that it will now become my Nom De Plume. So here goes my first ever Westies race report.

Hearing about the race in an alcohol induced haze, post Jura fell race it sounded like an extremely good race to do for four reasons. 1. It would be ideal training for my planned run in La Plagne in France in July. 2. It would enable me to meet all my Scottish friends again 3. I would get to wear my long awaited, shiny brand new Westies vest,and, 4. I would be able to get my own back on Jenny Rae for taking the mickey out of me in the Craighouse hotel.

Weather in the week leading up to race was appalling, and it was only after ringing the Highlands direct weather line at 12.00 noon on Saturday that I finally set off for my rendezvous with Chris Menhennett in Old Kilpatrick. Christine was keen to play with her shiny new Vauxhall Astra, bought after she out manoeuvred a smarmy salesman and conned him into giving her an extortionate amount of money in part exchange for her now desperately sick old vehicle. Anyway, after demonstrating to me that her new car goes extremely quickly and that the brakes work extremely well we rendezvoused in Aviemore with the traditional enemy Carnethy, led by Baby Face Mark Johnstone.

An excellent evening meal and a free nights camping followed, and suddenly a glorious sunny Sunday morning was upon us, the weather having completely outfoxed the forecasters yet again.

The race, if any one doesnt know, goes from Braemar to Aviemore starting and finishing at their respective police stations and is 28 miles long with 2100ft of climb, most of it runnable, with the Lairig Ghru itself being very rocky underfoot. Choosing footwear is quite a gamble, with most people, including myself, opting to forsake the agility of a fell shoe for the extra cushioning of road or trail shoes as much of the route is on road and tracks. Milling about in the hot sunshine before the race was a pleasure and it came as a shock when we were called to starters orders and had to actually start running.

The race pace early on was very steady, with lots of chatting and banter and runners trying to catch the eye of the film cameramen from Grampian T.V. pacing us on a motorbike. However, after the route dropped from the road and the camera was left behind thoughts turned to serious racing. Amazingly I found myself at the front of a race for the first time ever, and, being totally unused to this experience succeeded in going a little too fast which I paid for later on as Mark, Adam Ward, Adrian Davies and a host of others came steaming past me. A further inconvenience were the film cameramen who kept popping up all over the place, usually at the top of short, runnable climbs when runners were completely knackered!

Despite a fall on the rocky path and having to dash to the loo four times I managed to hang on to eighth place, easily my best run of the year in 3hrs 50 mins. Helene came trotting in fifteen minutes later accompanied by dog with both looking fresh as daisies. Brian Bonneyman took five minutes off his P.B. and Chris had a steady run despite suffering from the heat and sore Achilles tendons. Apologies if I have missed out any other Westies runners but I am still getting to know most of you.

Thanks again to Chris for the floor space on Sunday night, I would never have made it home in one piece, although having to get up at 4.30 on Monday morning for a 3 and a half hour drive back meant I was a little jaded (to put it mildly) at work that day.

All in all the Lairig Ghru is a magnificent race which, combined with the fine atmosphere that Scottish races always generate meant I had an extremely enjoyable weekend. I look forward to seeing you all again in the not too distant future.

FOOTNOTE 1: Jenny Rae where were you? watch out, I'll get you later!

FOOTNOTE 2: Is it true that Pete Baxter has now joined the ranks of the old and infirm? Watch that zimmer Pete, it may have a little too much horse power for you!

BY SPEIGHTY FROM BLACKPOOL

Posted by Chris Speight on Wed 30 Nov -0001 | comments are closed

Category races