Ben Ratha Hill Race

Hey ho, I managed to bag a race on Saturday!

With the missus plastered at her brothers in Inverness and the kids running riot in the sunshine, I decided to make the "short" two and a half hour drive to Reay, next to Thurso, to try a new race for me.

Beatiful scenery all the way was inspirational and when I got there only Deesides Alan Smith spoiled the view!

He was equally unhappy to see me as he was hoping to make this his 3rd win on the trot.

The initial stampede of about 40-ish settled down and it was obvious it was between the me, Alan and another 2 blokes.

into a strong headwind on 2 miles of landrover track at a fair old lick before heading up the hill across some deadly tree planted ground with potential leg breakers everywhere!!

Alan took the pace and I stuck to him like glue, with the other 2 guys slowly drifting off the back.

By the top of Ben Ratha we had dropped them completely and we started playing cat and mouse on the short climb to the second top, then the looooong run back off the hill over rough, boggy, tussocky ground, with incredible views to Orkney and the Pentland Firth.

Smithy kept putting in bursts to try and drop me but I held him without too much trouble just taking care with the precious ankles!

Once off the hill and onto a half mile of landrover track before a final mile of road, I took up the pace and stretched out and I was suddenly on my own, increasing the gap all the way to the line, where I was met by the almost late timekeepers etc all running in the opposite direction!!!

Tea and buns in the golf clubhouse after and medals to all finishers with lovely etched glass trophies for the main prize winners.

I know its a long way, but worth trying sometime if you get the chance.

Sorry, no official results or pics available as far as I know.

Posted by Manny Gorman on Tue 26 Apr 2005 | 2 comments

Category races