Geoff Cooper reports:
Saturday 2nd September saw me take part in The Ben Nevis mountain race in Fort William, over 500 runners took part in the gruelling race.
The race starts at the Fort William FC ground were the start is a lap around the field and then a short road section before the climb of the mountain path. The weather was scorching and the battle to get by the hundred of walkers was a contributing factor to some race times. This year the race as been extended by over a mile according to the local runners due to corrosion on the path near Red tarn which is the half way point; this as proved very controversial with the local runners of Lochaber athletic club, a WhatsApp page and another social media groups have been formed and it’s getting a little heated so enough of the political situation!
The course record for the original route was 1 hour 24 minutes by Kenny Stewart in 1978 – this record still holds although the local GP Finlay Wild who runs for Lochaber has been close many times.
He won the race on Saturday for the 12th time in a staggering 1:35. I completed the race in 2:53 and came 301 out of over 500 runners.
There is also a competition for the individual emergency services and I came 2nd in the Scottish Ambulance Service shield having previously won it twice in the past. A young whipper snapper of a lad won the shield so back again next year hopefully to score a hat trick.
Results and race information online: http://www.bennevisrace.co.uk/?p=571