Stuc a Chroin Hill Race

Saturday 2 May 2009
22km 1600metres

There was a massive turnout of over 300 runners for this British Champs race over the Trossachs Corbett of Ben Each and Munro Stuc a Chroin. However there was only a smattering of Westies men and a smidgeon of Westies women. David Riach led the way home in 68th followed by Don, John B, Steffen, Murdo, myself, Brian B and Brenda. Newcomer Pamela started but dropped out somewhere (let us know you are OK Pam).

My own wee race was against my tired legs from last week’s Fling, so had a nice steady race to begin with, trying to put a bit more effort in over the latter part of the race. I was pretty pleased to end up only 5 mins down on last year’s time, but as usual a stack of time down on my best from way way back in 1997 of 2h 36m, but heh ho, that’s life. A grand day out and superbly organised as usual.

SHR report

There was a dramatic finish to a magnificent British and SHR Championship race at Stuc a’Chroin. After over 2 hours of running and having dominated the race from the start, gold-medal winning orienteer Jon Duncan was almost caught by the fast finishing Tom Owens. Neither knew that the other was so close and it was only about 800m from the finish that Tom caught sight of Jon on the forest road ahead of him, but his last gasp attempt to catch up was in vain. Tom had the consolation of overhauling both Morgan Donnelly and then reigning British champion Rob Hope in an impressive return journey from Stuc summit. Jim Davies was 1st V40 and Steve Oldfield 1st V50.

It wasnt quite so close amongst the women, but it was still an absorbing race with a strong field. Predictably it was Angela Mudge who emerged the victor, followed by Pippa Jackson, Helen Fines and 1st Scot Clare Whitehead. Fiona Maxwell was 1st V40 in 6th.

SHR

Results