Over the years I have followed Mountain Running and that select band of runners over my many years in the hills. These are unique people with a love of moving fast in the mountains and are incredible people. I have been involved in safety cover for so many hill races from The Ben Nevis Race, Cairngorm, Mamores, Goatfell, Slioch and many others.
I havebeen involved in a few epics recovering a few unfortunate competitors especially in bad weather, where we have located some badly injured runners. I have also done several of the big hill days in Scotland where I went very light weight to complete some of Scotland biggest hill days. I understand the commitment of those who race in these events and the history of hill racing in Scotland is very close to my heart. In RAF MRT we had a few hill races of our own as you can see even in 1954 for these times for the Skye Ridge – The ultimate hill race to me! We had races u
We also did a great Charity Event in Snowdon for many years the Snowdon Bike Race running across Crib Goch a interesting narrow ridge where a fall could have been serious. This got stopped due to Health & Safety worries what an event!
1980 The Snowdon Bike Race along Crib Goch.
Things have moved an and this Saturday the 22 August is the first Salomon Glencoe Skyline Race and I hope the weather is kind to all the competitors and Marshals. The weather looks mixed but I am sure it will be some event. I hope the Emergency Services are not called and it all goes well.
Sky Running map Glencoe .
Nothing is risk free especially in the mountains but I am sure all who compete will have a real adventure and take Mountain Running to a new level. For many years a few have run for fun and personal satisfaction in Scotland is this the future?
This is from the website i “Soaring ridges, exposed traverses and preScipitous drops. Fast and light over rough and technical terrain. A fusion of alpinism and mountain running. Welcome to Skyrunning.”
The Salomon Glen Coe Skyline™ will take place on Saturday 22nd August 2015 and will be part of the Skyrunner Series® UK.
- Live GPS tracking from 0700 can be found at live.glencoeskyline.com
- Live Results can be found attrack2.sportident.co.uk/glencoe
I have a pal running Mark Hartree and will try to follow his tracking by GPS on the website above.
The Salomon Glen Coe Skyline™ follows in the finest tradition of the most prestigious Skyrunning races, fusing mountain running and alpinism in a pure test of speed, endurance and skill on an uncompromising, world-class course.
The route features long and sustained sections of scrambling terrain, which is roughly equivalent to moderate standard rock climbing. In addition, the race will traverse high and remote mountainous terrain, which at times is impossible to retreat from and may be subject to severe and rapidly changing weather.
The event is only suitable for highly experienced competitors and all entrants have been vetted for experience.
There was a Recce done a few days ago on the route, it is well worth aread.
Salomon Glen Coe Skyline Recce
http://www.glencoeskyline.com/news/2015/08/13/Salomon_Glen_Coe_Skyline_Recce/”Yesterday, Wednesday 12th August, Gary Tompsett (Course Planner) and Shane Ohly (Race Director) completed the full Salomon Glen Coe Skyline™ race route in a single 14-hour push.
They often stopped to discuss micro route choices that will be waymarked and it is really important to emphasise the importance of competitors following the route waymarking precisely. Very often the route waymarking is designed to pull the competitors in particular micro directions to avoid specific areas of loose rock and scree (or other hidden dangers) and event planning considers not just that individual competitors safety, but also the safety of the other competitors below them. Hence, why at times the waymarking may take a long diagonal ‘zigzag’ up a slope rather than following the straight up route. The strong – essential – message to the competitors is to always follow the waymarks as these have been very carefully considered to minimise risk for everyone. We must also emphasize the wording ‘minimise risk’ rather than saying ‘remove risk’. At the end of the day there are areas of loose rock and scree and a considered approach by all the competitors is important.”
Enjoy – but be safe!
