Highland Fling Photos and Report

Ian celebrates his PB.

A glorious day was had by all along the bottom half of the West Highland Way as 3 Harriers' relay teams and one individual competed in the 53 mile Highland Fling from Milngavie to Tyndrum. The irrepressible Ian Rae was predicting a PW pre-race but instead achieved a personal best by 15 minutes for the 53 miles in energy sapping heat, finishing in an excellent 10:21:36 in 102nd position overall and 33rd M40. There were a total of 358 finishers out of more than 400 starters on this very tough day in the hills.

Full results are here.

Three quarters of the ladies team on the podium.

Our ladies team of Genevieve, Joanne, Sandra and Frances all ran brilliantly to come home in 3rd position, only a few minutes behind second place. Genevieve is very familiar with the first leg and so had no problem bringing the ladies through to Drymen as 3rd team in a time of 1:38:28 (chip time 1:39:07) for the 13 miles. At this stage we were 2 minutes down on second place (By the Way we're going to Fly the Way -BTWWGTFTW). Joanne was next up on her favourite leg from Drymen to Rowardennan via Conic Hill. Another very hilly 13 or 14 miles. This Joanne completed in 2:20:35 (chip time). As always the Calderglen preparation was impeccable, even to the extent that we had Joanne practice tripping during our course recce a few months ago. Joanne managed two falls during the race, so extra points for that (and two skint knees). At this stage BTWWGRFTW had moved into the lead ahead of Fife Wifies and we were still in the hunt in third. On the tortuous third leg from Rowardennan to Bein Glas Farm along the side of Loch Lomond we had Sandra making a very welcome return to racing after an absence of 18 months or so. There's nothing like an easy come back race to get you back into it and this was nothing like an easy come back race! Sandra finished in 2:51:52 (chip time) and most importantly finished in good shape and enjoyed the run. We were still in third place at this stage and only 14:58 down on second place. So Frances had a target for the last leg to the finish at Tyndrum and she ran brilliantly on the predominantly up-hill 12-mile leg. Frances completed the course in 1:51:02 (chip time), closing in to within three and a half minutes of second place but earning a well deserved third place for the team. Hopefully it is a good omen that with Sandra back racing the ladies start winning team prizes again.

Stuart, Alan and Eddie collect the third place prize.

Our men's A team of Stuart, Jim, Eddie and Alan were also a strong third in the men's relay. Stuart established our finishing position on the first leg, completing it in 1:33:21 (chipped) with Breen team and Bella Road Runners 13 and 10 minutes ahead respectively. Jim Holmes had camped out overnight with the family and so was no doubt used to the discomfort he was about to experience on the run to Rowardennan! Jim completed in 2:14:46 (chip) maintaining a ten minute gap to second (Breen Team had now lost the lead) but only 41 seconds ahead of 4th (Top Dogs). Eddie volunteered for the lochside leg and was the only one to actually get involved in a head to head race, passing the 2nd placed Breen Team but also being overhauled by Top Dogs to remain in third place, finishing in 2:05:37, only 4:14 down on second. Meanwhile I had to make a last minute visit to the toilet and caused a minor panic by not being present when Eddie came in. I emerged totally refreshed and was certainly more relaxed than our support team (sorry Geo) as I took off on the last leg. It was a steady run and I was unaware what the gaps were or what position we were in. I finished in 1:30:11 (chip time was 1:31:04) and 4:46 down on second place.

Our men's second team of Russell, Andy, Grant and George were all pleased with their runs, except George who's highlight of the day was just before his run as captured on the photo below........ Russell was slightly ahead of his predicted time and ran a very even pace to finish leg 1 in 2:05:31 (chip). Andy had to be very careful not to fall (due to breaking his ribs in a fall 3 months ago) on the rugged leg 2 and thankfully stayed upright to finish in 2:24:30. Grant had never run the lochside before (probably best not to know!) and ran a fine 2:28:52. Finally George had kind of psyched himself out pre-race and admits to struggling on the uphill last leg which he completed in 2:04:24. Well done to all.

All my pictures are in this album. A few more have now been added from Frances.

You've either got it or you've haven't. A complete stranger is drawn in.