Lairig Ghru, with a fall or two!

So here it was at long last, a Race. A number of weeks ago a friend and fellow hill runner had told me the Lairig Ghru entries were opening allowing me to get a place in what is a very popular race. For those unsure, the Lairig Ghru is a Scottish long classic hill race that begins at Braemar police station and follows a rocky track through the heart of the Cairngorms national park before reaching a rugged boulder field, before finally descending into Aviemore and finishing at the police station. The distance is 26.8 miles/ 43km with 2400ft of climbing. This race is a must-do for any hill runner. So, I signed up in the excitement but yet trepidation of the distance. A block of good training followed and last Sunday I was there ready to go.

Running a distance of this length was a new experience with careful planning to avoid the Runners WALL! The plan was a gel and a cliff bar per hour or six miles. Fluids were little and often. A wave format was used something I think we’ll see for the next year or so at least. 10.10 am came and went then I was off; the plan was to run at a comfortable pace until Derry lodge 8.5 miles in and the only cut-off set at 1hr 30 mins. This section of the race is on a flattish but undulating trail. The first mile passed in the 6.50s and although easy, this was ahead of the 7.20 pace as planned. Derry lodge appeared in a flash crossing the River Dee in 59 mins, well ahead of schedule. The landscape was changing too, from enclosed trail to open plains spiralling up to a number of the Cairngorm Munro's. After a tricky river crossing the route climbs steadily towards Corrour bothy, the track now rocky, uneven and technical. 

I took a minute at the river to refuel and take on some well-needed water on board (it was 22C at this point- less than ideal), looking around at the Devil's Point and the mountain pass ahead in that moment COVID, politics and restrictions couldn’t seem further from reality. A few miles later at 22km’s suddenly a race that was going better than planned, was now in doubt. The mountains suddenly become much bigger when you’re lying flat on your stomach. A nasty trip and fall on some rocks led to gushing blood from the knees, elbows, arms and lower back not to make it overdramatic! I quickly sprung up a ran a few more metres until I stopped, had a seat on a rock and attempted to stem the blood. Another 10 mins passed and I was losing time, yes this was the slowest part of the course but a fall was not planned for! I’ll cut to the chase a little, another 12 miles on hobbling brought me to Glenmore Forest after the infamous boulder field. From mile 22 I began to run a little on the final descent into Aviemore. There I was, a few miles, hours and falls later I was finishing the longest and warmest hill race on the calendar. Overall I was pleased with finishing the race and having the focus to ignore the horrible thought of 13 more miles at a walking pace, however, disappointment was high, finishing around an hour slower than planned/expected. To finish, what a pleasure it was to pin a number on once again- may this be the first of many!!! 

I finished in 4hrs 48 mins around an hour slower than planned but hey ho that’s life! The winner was the very talented GB mountain runner and local Robbie Simpson in 2hrs 59 mins some way ahead of everyone else- sub 3 on the Lairg Ghru is generally speaking a sub 2.30 road marathon! Nothing But praise for Deeside Runners, excellent organisation on what is a logistical nightmare of a race, with registrations/ kit checks/ local and national park approval.

The weather was hot and humid, the food taken was 3 Maurten Gels, Jelly babies and 1 Cliff Bar.

2 Litres of active root and water made up the fluids. Ate less than I carried but felt fine.

Finally, an enormous thanks to my mum who drove from Braemar to Aviemore while I ran and to all the well-wishers, the night before and on the day of the race- It’s certainly a race with unfinished business and I will return! 

Chris