As part of our training for the LAMM (Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon) Alasdair and I decided to run the Stuc a Chroin hill race. At 14 miles and with 5000 feet of climbing we knew it was going to be tough. We’d already put in some serious miles over the hills, but this was going test our level of fitness.

The race starts in Strathyre (just north of Callander). 150 of us lined up at the start. No big pre-race talks, just go. Running along the forest tracks at the beginning I was beginning to think I was over dressed, with tights and long sleeved top. Too hot.

The route opens up onto open ground, rough open ground. A slow drag up the first hill, then a long way down into Glen Ample (on the way back you know you’ve got to re-ascend this…. bad thought). Next is a 500m very steep ascent up Ben Each, up through heather. By now I realising how well marshalled this race was. Frequent water stops with jelly babies (this is on top of hills in the middle of nowhere). Half way along the ridge to Stuc a Chroin the leaders pass you on the way back. First is Brian Marshall of HELP, followed by a couple of Carnethies. They seem to be going as fast up the way, as I am going down. More water and jelly babies sees me to the top of Stuc a Chroin. It is now our turn to pass the stragglers still on the way out.

There is a tremendous descending traverse to get back to the bealach at Glen Ample. Swooping down across tussocks and mud. The joy is short lived though, as the 200m ascent back up loomed ahead. By now we had been going for over 2 and a half hours and it was telling. The legs starting going into cramps. Every step upwards was painful. Over the top and downwards towards the forest. The last two kilometres were slow, with only the thought of the finish line motivating me onwards. The finish line was eventually crossed in 3 hours and 20 minutes. Some excellent home made soup made it all worth while. I’ll be back.

http://www.stucachroin5000.org.uk