Set on the slopes of Ben Lomond — Scotland’s most southerly Munro — this is a traditional Scottish hill race run in a serious mountain environment.
Numbers are intentionally limited to maintain safety, minimise impact on the hill, and preserve the character of the event.

Please enter only if you are confident, self-sufficient, and experienced in hill running.

 

Race Date: 10th May 2025
Race Time: 12pm (midday)
Category: AM
Distance: 12.6 km / 7.8 miles
Ascent: 960 m / 3149 ft
Cut off: Half way gate 45 minutes (see notes below)

Ben Lomond 2025 Results
Ben Lomond 2024 Results
Ben Lomond 2023 Results
Ben Lomond 2022 Results

Race Registration & Start: Overflow car park, approximately 0.5 km before Rowardennan, Loch Lomond.

Entries: Limited to 100 participants, after which a waitlist will operate. Entrant swaps are not permitted. If the race generates sufficient surplus, a partial refund may be issued; otherwise refunds may not be available.

Race Director: Don Reid on behalf of Westerlands CCC – donreid21@gmail.com

Parking: Details will be published once confirmed.

Changing Facilities: None available, although Loch Lomond provides an excellent cold recovery option.
Public Toilets: Rowardennan & Balmaha – see the Forestry and Land Scotland website for details.
Food & Water: Soup (vegan & gluten options), water, cakes and fruit will be available at race control.
Bag Drop: Small unattended bag area available during the event.

Competitors must take primary responsibility for their own safety on the hill.

Kit Checks: will be made at registration : no kit = no number. You must have the following minimum kit with you at all times during the race: waterproof jacket with hood, waterproof overtrousers, hat, gloves, whistle. This is the minimum kit requirement for this event, but you are responsible for carrying any additional items you consider necessary for your own protection given the conditions, or as the race organiser may dictate on the day. Failure to comply will mean automatic disqualification from the event. All of the above is for your own safety – hypothermia can be fatal.

Competitor Safety: If you sign in, we assume you intend to start. If you do not start or retire during the race, you must inform race officials immediately.

If you see someone in trouble — help them.

On the Hill Responsibility: This race operates with permission from multiple land management bodies. You will share the hill with walkers and other users — please be courteous and respectful at all times. Poor behaviour risks the future of the race. Participation does not grant priority right of way.

Cut Off: A strict 45 minute cut-off applies at the halfway checkpoint (approximately equivalent to a 2h 15m finish time). Runners failing to reach this point within the limit will be turned back. If you are unsure of meeting this standard, please do not enter.

Course Records
Men: 1:02:16 – John Wild (1983)
Women: 1:11:57 – Beverley Redfern (1990)

Download file: Ben-Lomond.gpx

History – Ben Lomond Hill Race

Ben Lomond is one of the oldest races in the calendar. It used to be run by Dumbarton AAC but all the effort involved in preparing and running this sort of race became a bit much for the organisers and they started to ask for assistance from other clubs including Westerlands CCC. However, even with the assistance of others, the race folded and was not held in May of 1995.

Westerlands decided to pick up the pieces and reintroduce the race on a trial basis in September of that year, on a much more low key basis than previously. This was reasonably successful, so it has continued in that vein, but back to the original May date.

John Donnelly was the Race Director until 2019. Jamie Provan shadowed John then took over race director role in 2020,