Saturday 8th October 2022

Report by Roger Walters

Not the most local of races but I have family in Scotland and my daughter had already signed up for it.    A lovely course in the woods around Loch Morlich above Aviemore. The running is on reasonably compacted trails in the main and was fine in road shoes, although if it had been very wet then trail shoes might be better. The total climb was about 230 metres, so not as much as the Sheffield half and there wasn’t one long single climb. Needless to say good views and being Scotland of course the weather was beautiful, cool, sunny with a light breeze to keep the midges away.

From the race details – The start is at Badaguish, which is approximately 1100 ft above sea level within the Cairngorm National Park and provides a spectacular backdrop. The route begins on forest tracks which descend to Glenmore as views of Loch Morlich, Cairn Gorm and the Northern corries unfold, before a short spell down the logging trail will take competitors to cross the River Luineag.  From there, the route follows shoreside trails and nips for a very short section up the ski road to lead onto a stunning ascent and descent of forest paths above the loch, and then crosses back over the main road to take the long way round the forest tracks before arriving back at Badaguish.

454 people ran including one Strider.  The race was won by Jack Blaiklock (MSen) of Thames Hare and Hounds in 1:15:22, and by Rebecca Burns (FSen) of Pitreavie AAC in 1:25:51.