West Highland Way Relay 2011

Kenny Leinster runs in to Inveroran to hand over to Jim Holmes

While the rain fell all around Scotland once again the weather was kind to the minibus load of Harriers who made their annual pilgrimage along the West Highland Way, each running a leg of the 96 mile path from Milngavie to Fort William. You have to be full of energy to manage the 5am start and so Genevieve was called upon once again to drag Colin along the first leg from Milngavie Station to Carbeth (with a detour). Russell Couper was escorted on leg 2 to Dumgoyne by Mary Goldsmith and Davy Watt, warming up for their later legs and Genevieve Freeman, getting a few more miles in the legs. Davy therefore had the dubious benefit of a 3 mile flying start for leg 3, his own leg of 5 miles to Drymen with Colin Freeman maintaining a watching brief from a safe distance for the first few miles. Andy Henderson was given leg 4 over Conic Hill. Having run this leg under competitive conditions on the Highland Fling a few months ago, Andy would surely enjoy a more relaxed run over this route. Meanwhile the bus had moved on to Balmaha where a session of mini-rounders provided a gentle warm-up for all. By now George Stewart had changed from the night time attire in which he was picked up from beneath a Gardenhall lamp post at 4:15am to something more resembling a runner's outfit and was ready for leg 5, accompanied by Joanne to Milarachy.

George Stewart in as-found condition

A slightly distracted bus driving team delivered Gerry Mullen late to the lay-by at Milarochy but nothing can phase a runner of Gerry's experience and off he set towards Rowardennan on leg 6 with Eddie Reid and Colin Banks for company. I somehow managed to pick my self for leg 7, the longest leg from Rowardennan alongside Loch Lomond to Bein Gleias Farm at Inverarnan, a tortuous, running, rock climbing and staggering 14 miles. I handed over to Joanne McEvoy ready for the completely up-hill 6-mile leg 8 to the deer fence above Crianlarich. Billy Buchanan decided to accompany Joanne but given that he was effectively taking over from Joanne on a very tough leg 9, the club shepherd's crook was deployed where the route crosses the A82 and Billy was pulled for his own benefit. Unfortunately for Billy, his leg started a mile uphill from the bus access point and so he still had to make a considerable effort to get to his change over in time. George Stewart decided that a game of "chase-me" was the best way to motivate Billy to a fast time and promptly gave himself a 100m uphill start over Billy who saw George for the next time celebrating his "victory" at the end of the leg. Frances Maxwell took on leg 10 from Ewich to Tyndrum accompanied by the first of the WHW first timers, Neil Green. The first brief period of rain came shortly after Eddie Reid started leg 11 to Bridge of Orchy but fortunately did not last. Kenny Leinster has had a recurring injury for some time but was happy to get the short, sharp up and over leg 12 from Bridge of Orchy to Inveroran and completed this at great speed where Jim Holmes awaited for the notorious Rannoch Moor stage to Black Rock Cottage. Jim had only ever been on this stage years ago as a hike and thoroughly enjoyed his run over this bleak, atmospheric wilderness. At Black Rock Cottage we met up with Malcolm (who had walked from Tyndrum earlier in the day) and Carolyn and enjoyed some banter whilst awaiting Jim. Legs 13 and 14 were given to Colin Banks, through Kingshouse and on to the foot of the Devil's Staircase. Gerry Mullen accompanied Colin to Kings House and Kenny Leinster carried on with him to the change over. Then Neil Green got his first experience of a solo leg on the WHW, a tough leg at that, up the Devil's Staircase and down into Kinlochleven. Frances and George set off 20 minutes ahead of Neil to clear the course of walkers and to give George the chance of another scalp. David Wardrope was also a first timer and I felt that his double marathon stamina would see him through the very tough leg 16 up to Mamore Lodge and then along the rocky road to Lundavra. Andy Henderson and Gerry Mullen accompanied David and did well to keep him going as the rough surface was not to his liking.

David hands on to Mary

After many WHW relays, Mary Goldsmith got a change of scenery with her first experience of leg 17 from Lundavra to Glen Nevis. Eddie Reid, Billy Buchanan and Neil Green kept Mary company and struggled to keep up as Mary revelled in the final downhill miles to Glen Nevis. Then a mass finish for the final mile to Fort William brought the club home in a great time of 13:43:09.

An evening of relaxation, food, drink and conversation followed in the Ben Nevis hotel and was thoroughly enjoyed by all the Harriers and friends present. For a change we visited Ballachulish Slate quarry on Sunday to unwind. Here the club split into a sporting section to play rounders and a cultural section to tour the disused quarry (but mainly the cafe) before returning home.

Thanks to the impeccable organisation by Frances, Russell and Eddie, the bus drivers and travelling injured (Sandra), Malcolm, Carolyn, Jimmy Stewart and Jackie for making it another memorable WHW weekend for all concerned.

Some poor quality photos from my phone here but better ones to follow. Andy Henderson's, Frances' and Joanne's photos now added.

Alan