Slioch Horseshoe

An excellent race to put hills in your legs the week before Jura. The route was slightly altered this year to miss precipitous second half of horseshoe as the forecast was atrocious - didn't really matter as it was great running anyway. I was a bit apprehensive as the map showed a 3 - 4 mile flat run to get to the hill - needn't have worried as this was pleasantly undulating and technical with beautiful scenery along the edge of Loch Maree. The main climb was extremely steep at one point, but miraculously the weather was infinitely better than forecast. Torridonian sandstone seems great for running on even when wet - very grippy. The race is advertised as 20km and 1180m of new money, is it the most northerly AL ?

I expected there to be about 50 wet Scots stood by the road at the start, but in fact there were 150 in a very nice warm village hall that was rammed full of cakes (not quite as many as Jura but a good effort nonetheless), there are even hot showers afterwards. Two brown vests were there - me, and Es Tressider who cunningly concealed his Jura-winning potential by leading himself and the lead pack down a duff route off the hill.

 

I'd highly recommend this race, especially when combined with a holiday in this splendid area.

 

Jon