Clachnaben Hill Race 11/04/09
“This is a very demanding race. The hills are exposed and the going is rough in a number of places, over heather and tussocks.”
So says the info and you can't say you haven't been warned. Clachnaben had been chosen as an SHR championship race and an SA one-off championship race, drawing our attention to it. About 20 miles west of Stonehaven and therefore near to Mary's mum's we decided to travel up Friday, meaning a civilised start to Saturday, the race only starting at noon.
Clachnaben on left, Mount Shade on rightWe had travelled over the Cairn o'Mount road before, (Fettercairn to Banchory) noticing this “wart” of rock on the hilltop, realising it must be Clachnaben. The weather was nearly ideal and the trails we warmed up on (after a pleasant drive from the road onto smaller trails taking us into the woods) were filling me with joy. I was really feeling up for a 10 miler and started the race at a strong pace along the undulating dirt trails. After more than a mile of this (13 minutes) we left the hard pack for heathery off road and the hills began. Adrian Davis and Ronnie Gallagher (2nd and 3rd vets) had gone past and so began a fairly steady stream of overtakers: Martin Laing caught me some way up the first hill and I could tell he was on form and full of vim giving out loads of enthusiasm and saying how we were going to rip up the course. (Funnily enough I found the reverse.) I couldn't match his climbing and had to let him go ahead - closely followed by David Scott, Ochills (another top mv50) who would be looking for any signs of weakness from Martin.
I don't remember Threestane Hill as distinct from the summit of Mount Shade. It all just seemed like a long slog up a heathery hill. I noticed at the top Geoff Simpson was catching up rapidly and hoped I would put a bit of ground between us on the small descent before the climb up to Clachnaben. The ground wasn't too bad but I did take an early tumble. Feeling it start I relaxed into a quick roll and was back up on my feet luckily not hitting any of the plentiful supply of granite rocks.
Gio follows Louise Burt up the first ascent - Bennachie on the horizon 22.6 miles distant.
Although the stiff breeze blew some of my hair off I was able to repair it with photoshop.
Sadly I couldn't find a fix for that limp right wrist.
Then another long slog up to Clachnaben. Geoff said he was running and making no progress on me while I was walking – marching with hands on knees. However towards the top he caught me and I heard him chatting to Des Crowe about a recent tv appearance and certain alleged descending skills. I went past the summit chasing Geoff, Des and David Scott hoping to keep up with them on the descent. After a fine trail off the top we headed into the heather and a dirty swampy black track that was littered with ankle twisting granite boulders. I found it hard to make ground here and noticed the others getting away. It felt like I was off route while they must be on a smooth path to be running so fast. A Lochaber vest overtook and in an effort to keep up I had another fall. It was the second of 6 – more than twice as many as any race previously. And the ground only got worse: wet slippery bog with a covering of heather disguising the knee-deep holes made for awful running. Normally I would be making ground on the descent not losing it, and I felt hugely frustrated. Maybe I was tired from a long week and hard race at the other end.
Over the top of Clachnaben
For a short while some good ground.Towards the end of the descent I fell again and with such force it squeezed the juice bottle I was carrying through the zip of my bumbag. I had a drink and resignedly trotted along the path to the bottom of the last up hill. This climb went on for an age continually faced with another false summit before finally seeing the tent and marshals and Ian Nimmo taking photos. I was hoping it would be an easier descent off this hill but it wasn't – more thin tracks with heather covering the view of leg breaking holes in the soaking peatbog filth. (It had rained the last couple of nights making the ground waterlogged.) At one point I was nearly reduced to a walk as a Cosmics vest went by. We exchanged curses about the route and although he overtook, 5 minutes later he had drawn up and was stationary either with cramp or an injury of some sort. He said he was okay so I didn't stop to enquire further.
Mary coming up the last hill
Reaching the top of the last hill (with Clachnaben in the distance.)
Eventually after a fair bit of contouring over drier and more visible trails, where I was able to lift the pace considerably, we were back out and onto the forestry dirt trails we had started on. I really enjoyed being able to stretch my legs here and there were no further overtakers. Over a mile of this then just before the end we were diverted off into the undergrowth for some swampy mud and puddle fun which was taxing but not dangerous like the descents through the heather. Eventually we passed a couple of signs indicating free beers in 200m which was the highlight of the course.
Back to the clearing at the cross roads where a gathering of marquees and banners had been erected and there was a tremendous spread of drinks and homebakes and for those not driving, free beer from sponsors Deeside Breweries.
Davie Duncan makes a dash for the beers
Top marks to Cosmics for a superbly organised race. Particularly the oasis in the woods – water, juice, tea and coffee and lots of flapjacks and cakes and of course the beers. The whole course was marked every 50 ~ 100 yards with a cane and tape. If the weather had been bad it would still have been easy to navigate. There were marshals en route and kids handing out jelly babies and you got the feeling Cosmics had more than risen to the challenge of putting on a championship event. The weather made the day splendid.
However a lot of blood was spilled on the day and many folk spoke of falls, and wore cuts and grazes. The heather (some burnt back to short sharp sticks) abraded everyone's shins leaving criss-crosses of scars from the knees down. It was a harsh route particularly the 2 descents and I wouldn't hurry back to repeat this one though obviously others managed better than I did.
Report Peter
Photos: some pb, while most action shots Ian and Anne Nimmo on the SHR site; more HERE
Results
Mary's report
Mary isn't the first of her family to the top of this hill: here is her Grandfather (centre) with
Auntie Joan and Roy.
Not a movie but 19 photos I took strung together to show the last obstacle of the race.
Easter Monday Run 13/04/09
Our legs were aching and stiff on Sunday despite hot baths and plenty medicinal drinks on Saturday evening. So probably a mistake to go for a 20 miler on holiday Monday. Mary chose the route taking us to the Pentlands via Arthur's Seat and the Hermitage. We had never run to the Pentlands before thinking it was too great a distance to then enjoy the hills without having to turn around and head home. And it probably was. We ran up the start of the Skyline by Hillend then over to Bonaly and back by the Water of Leith. The last few miles were lacking in joy and good form but it was an interesting first 12 to 15. Total distance about 22 miles although some walking towards the end.
Marks from running through the heather on Saturday.
Only 7 miles to go...
