Ben Bowie Trail Race

Back to the original route after some kind  lumberjack cleared the trees and remade the path. 6 of us set off, some a bit earlier than others. Tried not to go too hard up the initial climb then pushed on towards the top. Hard work going up through the forest on the remade path and up to the ponds, after that mostly downhill with only the odd short climb. Kept a steady pace on the way back eased back through the woods on the new path and again towards the bottom on the rocky path down Stoney.

Bromley Muir, Killoeter and Ben Bowie

Back to local hills this week and misty conditions. Easier run with a lot less ascent but that means running all the way. Ground still very dry, the usual bogs slightly spongy at worst, Mount Malow first then along to the Bromley Muir Trig, continue along the moor to the Stoneymollan/Three Lochs Way taking the diversion onto the Killoeter ridge. Followed the ridge to the forest trail towards Helensburgh turning off/up the trail to Ben Bowie. Return via Three Lochs Way and Stoneymollan, no views but good to be out.

Cairn at Mount Malow/Carman Fort

Bromley Trig

Kiloeter

Ben Bowie

      

Arrochar Hill Run

 Sizzling hot day set off earlyish for a run over Vane, Ime, Narnain and the Cobbler. Glen Loin trail to start, a few walkers out here, got to the start of Vanes path and eased into a steady walk, thankfully a nice breeze once I gained some height, passed loads of walkers going up and down, slowed on the top third or so in the heat. Got to the top, no one else there, took a few minutes to refuel and take in the views. Easy run down grassy slopes avoiding the crags into Lag Uaine, back into walk mode for the trudge up to Glas Bealach then on up to Ime, only met one walker going in the opposite direction between Vane and Ime's summits, slowed again towards the top of this stiff climb. At the top of Ime back into the crowds, another pause to refuel and take in the views from Jura to Ben Nevis. Short easy run down to Bealach a Mhaim then the up to Narnain, started to cramp on the climb and it took a couple of Salt Stick Fast Chews to ease the pain. It's a short climb and soon on top, refuelled and set off for the Cobbler, thankfully a shortish climb up here as well, loads of walkers out enjoying the fine day. left the summit via the An t Sron ridge, much quieter, although still busier than usual, at the end of the ridge dropped down and cooled my feet in the Buttermilk Burn before crossing the walkers path and taking the argo track back to Succoth. A fine day to enjoy these steep wee hills.

Ben and Loch Lomond from Vane

Ime (r) Narnain (l) & The Cobbler from Vane

Lui Munros from Vane

Vane from Ime, Lochs Lomond, Arklet and Katrine to the right

Beinn an Lochain and Butterbridge from Ime

Ben Lomond from Narnain

The Cobbler from Narnain

Ime (l) Vane (mid) & Narnain (r) from The Cobbler

Glen Fruin

Set off mid morning for a run over a few Fruin hills. Parked in Glen Fruin ran up the old road towards the reservoir along the Haul road and up The Strone to Maol Am Fheidh, left the ridge and crossed the glen at the watershed between Fruin and Luss for the steepish trudge up to Beinn Chaorach, return was over a few undulations following the ridge to Tharsuin and on to Balcnoc overlooking Glen Finlas, ran down the ridge for a few hundred yards before dropping into the glen to cross the Bayvoulin burn and one last short climb to Auchengaich hill, easy run down to the Fruin access road picking out the least tussocky ground. Nice breeze on the ridges, a bit warm in the glens.

Ardmore Point from Beinn Chaorach

Arrochar Alps from Chaorach

Loch Lomond and Finlas reservoir from Balcnoc

Bayvoulin burn

 

Stuc A Chroin 5000

Back for another go at the Stuc Hill Race, about 350 runners in for this Scottish and British Championship race, typical Stuc weather, sun and blue skies. Forest road and path to start to Meall Mor, steep drop into Glen Ample, more difficult on the way back. Beinn Each next, a slow single file climb from the Glen to the top of this Corbett, difficult to overtake and probably could have gone a bit quicker. From the top a short steep rocky descent to a ridge that undulates up to the top of the Stuc a couple of miles away, mostly runnable with a few short steep climbs over minor tops, the last half mile a walk. Round the summit cairn and down the rocky ridge, thankfully the route turns into Glen Ample instead of back over Each, easy running down then an ankle straining traversing descent to the bottom of the Glen and everyone's favourite climb out Glen Ample renamed Crample for the next 15 minutes of trudging up the 600' in half a mile climb. 3 miles form here to the finish over Meall Mor and through forest paths and roads, mostly downhill with a few short climbs to keep it interesting, finished 8 minutes quicker than last year, about 1 1/2 minutes outside my target.

Gathering for the start

Forest trail 1 1/2 miles into the race

 

Glen Striddle Horseshoe

Short long run this week, out and back over Beinn Dubh and Mid Hill, turned back three quarters of the way down to the top of Glen Luss, back over Mid Hill and Beinn Dubh. Low cloud meant no views, sheep and bluebells for company. Managed a slow jog both ways, only stopping for a couple of pictures.

Stoneymollan Hill Race

Club Hill Race, just under 5 miles with 1200' of ascent, 9 of us this year, started in reverse order, lack of patience meant the later starters went early and gave the handicapper (me) some maths to work out who won, not me. Pleased to get round a bit quicker this year, about 3 mins off last years time but another couple required to get to pre covid times. Great night, ground reasonable dry with a bit of give.