Yon bonny banks and braes

Highland Fling, 2009

It's no ivry race gives ye the option o' yer race instructions in Doric, jist fae the benefit o' the chiels fae the north-east. It's no ivry race gives ye a whoppin ' greet bottle o' champagne fer crossin the line. An' a wee beer as well - no' to mention a plate o' stovies an' an iver-lastin supply o' tea fae the wee cafe at the finish. An it's no ivry race dis aw this - fer ainly a tenner! (Mind, it's a couple o' quid mair fir the Sassenachs fae doon sooth - unless ye wan' tae cough up tae jine Scottish Athletics).

That's enough of the Scottish accent. But it's good to be running on home turf, and the Highland Fling does have a special character all of it's own. It's run with a sense of humour - the race instructions really are available in Doric. It's relaxed - there's no kit list specifying the dimensions of the triangular bandage and the number of spare pairs of socks you need to carry. It's friendly. It's got a Ceilidh at the end.

Come to think of it, a Ceilidh is a pretty sadistic form of torture when you're just run 53 miles. But the champagne has an anaethetising effect, and if we didn't like pain what did we sign up for?

And the running itself? Well, it's hard to beat that too. Milngavie railway station might not be the most inspiring start, but soon you're leaving the rolling foothills of the Highlands for the real thing. Conic Hill marks the start of some breathtaking scenery as you descend to Loch Lomond and tak' the high road - or is it the low road? Seems the path along the bonny, bonny banks really can't quite decide. One minute it's heading off up the Ben, the next it changes it's mind and plummets to the Loch again. It doesn't half dither - none of the climbs are long, but the boulder-hopping really does destroy any chance of pegging along at a steady rhythm. Still, the Loch doesn't quite go on for ever (though it's not far off), and from Beinn Glas farm you know you're just got the long steady climb up Glen Falloch, and the last few winding miles through the woods to that welcome beer at the finish arch.

Jez won, as he usually does. A new record too - 4 minutes faster than last year. Sarah Ridgeway won the ladies race. Allen Smalls was beaten back to third place in the mens race by a remarkable run from Scott Bradley in his first ultra distance race - definately someone to look out for in future! And I followed the fine example of Good King Wenceslas by coming fourth; happy enough with that in a fast field.

I'm sure the Fling will be in the Runfurther calendar again - if not, it will certainly be in mine anyway. A great race.

[posted by Andy]