Grand Raid Inter-Lacs

While some of you were battling it out at Dollar, I was enjoying myself at the 6th Grand Raid Inter-Lacs. A two-stage mountain race in the heart of Corsica. Much rougher and steeper than anything I’ve done in Scotland.

292 runners made the start line on Day 1 (Saturday 12th). As the gun sounded, the air became a dust storm, helicopter hovering overhead, a stampede to gain the narrow rocky path. I elbowed my way up the field to attack the first big climb – a rough and rocky approach to a breche at 2100m. Crowds with klaxons yelling us through the notch. Heli roaring overhead.

Then a rapid plummet through alder scrub to the first Lac and checkpoint. I was steadily picking my way up the field till we rejoined the GR20 markers near the Manganu refuge. A steady slog up through a boulder field to the dramatic Breche Capitello at 2200m. More klaxons. More whooping crowds. Fantastic ridge running before dropping into the cirque holding Lac de Melo. A few near misses – feet tangling in the alder scrub – but still picking off places. John and Keith encouraged me on by the lochside to the final check. Then a dangerously steep descent before hitting an at last decent runnable section for the final 3km to the finish banner. Feet slapping at my heels down the boulder strewn path, but I dug in and pulled well clear of my chasing group on the final 200m.

16th of 292 on Day 1.

Time 2:33:24. Approx 10mls / 5000ft.

Day 2 was a fair bit tougher. I was determined to start faster, but as the gun sounded the same mayhem ensued. An exciting improbable rocky scramble up by some cascades lead into a hanging valley and then on up the 1100m climb to the first col at 2450m. A runnable plateau preceded a dangerous descent. The “safety” rope kept you in the line of fire of falling rocks. Bodies and rocks crashing past me. I reached the Petra Piana refuge in one piece and duly picked off all the runners who had passed me, on the way up to the final col – Bocca Muzzella. I was feeling pretty good now, with just a dangerously steep 900m descent to go. I dug in for final section, and promptly smashed my left knee against a large boulder. My left leg was numb for a minute or so, and I lost touch with the group I was hoping to chase down. Still I struggled on down, speeding up when I saw John and Keith, and sprinting out the last 2km to the finish banner.

Time 2:11:38. Approx 8 mls / 5000ft.

Came 20th on Day 2, and 20th overall.

Results

Got interviewed by the French TV crew, and was promised a free DVD of the race. The race was won for the 3rd time by Mohamed Khabbache – a 54 year old Morrocan who looks more like someone’s Dad than a hill runner.