Pentland Skyline 2015

My long-race form hasn’t been up to much this season and I had no expectations or aspirations for my first time on the Pentland Skyline. I met ex-Captain Chris at the registration, compared notes from summer races and found ourselves worryingly out of breath on the walk up to the start. There was a big turn-out including quite a lot of unattached runners – the effect of last year’s Adventure Show publicity perhaps?

I deliberately stayed away from the front of the pack at the start and took a relaxed approach to the congestion on the busy initial trails. The mist was down, keeping things cool and the first few hills were a joy – what the Pentlands lack in stature they make up for in terrain, each slope just the right gradient & length for smooth and enjoyable running. I held back on the pace, trying to save energy for the second half but even so I was feeling out of puff by the time I got up Scald Law. By the time I got there, the first rough, heathery section made for a spirit- and leg-sapping experience.

Two key rules for successful navigation in hill races are 1) Don’t drop your map and 2) Follow someone who knows the way. I broke 1) at some point between West Kip & Hare Hill; I’d taken out to try and work out whether I’d missed a trick by not following Jon Gay on a bold corner-cutting route across the km of bog by Logan Burn (I don’t think so). I broke 2) ascending Black Hill when, rather than following the well-made and inviting path around the corner I followed two well-known hill running types from a couple of just-swell hill running clubs straight up the heather. I got to the top in time to see a group of 8 or so (including Alan & Chris) who’d passed me by and were receding in to the distance as struggled slowly through some tough heather.

The rest of the route was a slow plod, keeping going but losing places constantly. Not having a map was disorientating, at various points I would ask a runner what hill we were on, to which the answer was always “No idea mate, I’m following the guy in front.”

I pushed a bit for the last mile – for show really, didn’t result in any places being made – and collapsed over the line in 3hrs 8mins. Last long race of the season? Thank f**k for that, I thought, time for some XC. 

 A quality turnout from Westies – well done to all who made it around a gruelling course.