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Looking out the window at 6am at the wind and rain I was 'glad' knee
worries had persuaded me to change down from the 67 to the 35.5 mile route
(I'd also realised how tight the checkpoint cutoffs would be for the
longer course). By the time our delayed start had come round the rain was
easing and for a while we enjoyed perfect running conditions as we took on
the first 4 mile climb up from the beach to 1100ft. The route mostly
followed forestry tracks with some road, mixed path and a section
scrambling over rocks along the seashore as the tide was in! Passing
through a windfarm under the massive revolving blades was slightly
unnerving.
The Way 'undulated' on to Campbeltown (total climb about 3,500ft), with
the small field pretty well scattered so there were long stretches of
solitude. Beyond the last checkpoint the weather closed in again with
heavy rain driven by a strong wind (mostly headon) and a big temperature
drop for the 13 miles to the finish. Then it was time for some serious
refuelling on the plentiful supplies of tea and cakes followed by biryani
and local ale that was on offer!
Richard
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