Two Ferries Race 16/9/06
This Race has been a favorite of mine for many a year. It is perfect in every way, always taking part on the Saturday of the Edinburgh September Weekend, fabulous location, the weather is often amazing and the distance (10.8 miles) just right for a nice trot along Loch Linnhie.
We set off from Edinburgh early Saturday leaving a drizzly dreich morning behind us. George, me and our long suffering spouses Margaret and David. After our obligatory stop at The Green Welly for breakfast and fudge supplies we drove through Glencoe towards the sunshine and the Corran Ferry to get to the start for 2 o'clock.
Lochabor running club host this race and it is a lovely, friendly, country race. The course is quite tough with a long hill between 5 and 6 miles then a couple of wee hills at miles 8 and 9. Starting at the Trislaig passenger ferry opposite Fort William and following the banks of Loch Linnhie to finish at the Corran Ferry at Ardgour you are guaranteed lovely views along the way.
I was a bit concerned about the heat as the day continued to warm up, I'm not great at running when its hot (not that I'm so great when its not, but maybe I can add that excuse to Alan's list of pre-race excuses!) However there was a pleasant breeze off the loch and plenty of shade from trees on route, there is only one drink station though so I carried extra with me and George hid a couple of bottles on the course (which, as predicted by Margaret, he failed to find later!!).
I decided to try John Forkers tactic of starting near the back and pick off people as I went along rather than the soul destroying result of heading off too fast and watching sprightly O.A.P's whizz by at a later stage in the race. I settled into the race after the 3 mile marker and hoped to get home in about 1 hr 25min. So trying not to think of David and Margaret sitting in the sunshine outside the Ardgour Inn supping beer and a g&t I took in the scenery and tried to catch up with a couple of the Lochabor girls. George had decided to run with an ipod blasting out his particular bad taste in rock music so I quickly lost him in case he started to sing along to it!! All went well and I was pleased to reach the point at 8 miles where you can see the ferry and the finish point. As I staggered over the line in 1hr 24 I was quite pleased but where were my supporters?....still supping actually complaining I had come in too fast, ( I wish!). George came in still wired for sound (Born to be Wild or some such nonsense) happy at taking 10 mins off his previous time and happy to be back running so well after a hernia op earlier in the summer, well done George.
We dunked ourselves in the Loch (who needs an ice bath!) and our legs felt great afterwards!! After tea and sandwiches an al fresco prize giving followed. I didn't win the Towel Trophy though, sorry Janis you
will have to come back next year and reclaim it!! We stayed at the Ardgour Inn on Saturday night and celebrated the day. Hopefully David will be able to run soon as he has an injury, yet still came and supported us. Thanks to Margaret also for her support and her expert driving.Report and photos Clan Hanley
