The Westies once again entered a team in the Simon Wake Comrie relay, which winds up and down the hills around Glen Lednock. Our hopes of entering a team consisting exclusively of John’s was scuppered when it transpired that neither Sarah nor Gregor answer to “John”, and in any event the organisers had not provided
Unexpectedly, I ended up with an entry in this year’s Scottish Islands Peaks Race, running with Graham Kelly. SIPR is a combined sailing and running event: three sailors and two runners (who run as a pair). The race starts in Oban with a short loop around the hill above the harbour (to spread the field
Stuc a’ Chroin — the race I love to hate. Start with a long slog up the forest track, followed by a walk-jog up Glen Ample with its rewarding but brief descent, and then the day really gets underway with the seemingly endless climb up Beinn Each. By the time I reach the summit I’m
The 2012 Highlander MM at Kinlochewe saw a good turnout of Westies, including Brian Brennan, Cameron Burt, Alan Gilkison and Susie Allison. I had originally entered with Paula, but after she injured her knee Keith Adams agreed to take her place. Surprisingly, Keith and I made up the only all-Westies team. After an afternoon of
Now, I’d heard about the Deerstalker from Graham’s report last year, and, since I’m always up for a run in the dark, I had no hesitation in replying to Gibson’s offer of a late entry. The race takes in a couple of hills around Innerleithen, with a forest section, a stretch of the Tweed river,
Just the four westies turned up for the Pentlands this year: Chris, new Peter, Eleanor and me. I can only assume the rest of the club were recovering from Manor Water the previous day, with no-one feeling the need to prove themselves in the “man-or-mouse” challenge. The registration desk had posted a forecast with the
Full results This was my first Carnethy, and I wonder why it has taken me so long. I guess getting an entry in the first place has played a part, so special thanks go to JD for saving me the need to get up at 4am (New Zealand time). Whatever it is, something makes this
A new route with a rather vague description “Up via Lang Craigs and back via Doughnot Hill” appeared on the Wednesday runs. I met up with David Dickson and new John at the carpark near Overtoun House. While we waited for someone with a clue about where we were going to arrive, new John related
Results A less-than-sunny Saturday morning saw five Westies (Cam, new Peter, OBK, Alistair, et moi) drive up to An-Torr for the start (actually, finish) of the Two Inns hill race. Just as we had puzzled out the complex arrangements to ferry everyone to the actual start in Creagan, the organisers offered us all a lift
Results Four Westies — Niall, Cameron, Peter and myself (plus a friend of Peter’s, who might yet undergo the indoctrination rituals and become a new member) — drove North for the third offering of the Loch Lochy hill race on Saturday. On a weekend that includes Cairn Table, Gargunnock, Glas Tulaichean, and Helensburgh, numbers were