Devil's Burdens Recce

Frances & Geo crest West Lomond

Eight Harriers traveled through to Falkland on Sunday morning for a recce of the more navigationally demanding legs 2 and 3 of the Devil's Burdens hill relay course. The conditions were absolutely spectacular, not as much snow as in the West but enough to provide stunning views and generally good underfoot conditions (once we were off the roads and forest tracks which were a bit icy).

Typical Harriers sense of direction!

Leg 2 from Strathmiglow to Kinnesswood remains a tough challenge but a completely changed leg 3 due to a shoot turned this into the longest and toughest leg this year with two humongous climbs in the 11.5km course. Just as well we checked that one out in advance! However, returning to leg 2, we split into two groups and tried two alternative strategies to tackle the big climb; climbing and traversing gradually to the checkpoint near the top or climbing high and traversing to the checkpoint. Neither strategy was great as traversing whilst climbing made running too tough whilst climbing high put us on very steep terrain which was too dangerous to run across. Back to the original plan for the race (follow the queue of runners in front!). The views from the top of West Lomond were spectacular and we had a relatively easy descent from there down into the glen before climbing again towards a new check point introduced to stop certain teams taking the most direct route. On the day of the recce this enforced route was very runnable as the snow was well trodden by other runners checking out the leg. Once up on top we had a good stretch of consistent, slightly undulating running and really started to warm up. We chose not to drop down the final hill into Kinnesswood, stopping for a sandwich on top of White Craigs where we were briefly joined by a team from Cambuslang Harriers.

Leg 3 started with the reverse of leg 2 which meant an initial few km of very good running (if you ignore the near vertical 700 foot climb out of Kinnesswood). The path along the valley floor was also very runnable but unfortunately all good things come to an end (or a hill) with a final steep climb up onto the East shoulder of West Lomond. From there it was extremely fast running along a wide trail descending gradually back towards Craigmead before a final, steep and icy descent to the changeover. After 13 miles and about 3000 feet of climbing, the team of 8 were glad to hear that I had left my car in Falkland and had run the 4 miles to Strathmiglow to meet them first thing in the morning so I could give the drivers a lift back for their cars and the run was over.

The recce finished with a very welcome bowl of soup and a coffee in one of the local coffee houses before the drive home. I think we can say that those who did the recce are now well prepared for the race, so well done to George, Kenny, Eddie, Geo, Frances, Jim and David for a fine effort on the day.

We could still do with a few more names to complete the two teams of 6. Hopefully what you see here will encourage some volunteers.

Further photos here.
Alan