5 Toddies ventured north at the weekend to take on the classic Ben Nevis Fell Race. A 16km round trip starting and finishing just outside Fort William with an impressive 1340m of climbing to the summit of The Ben and back. Due to path erosion the race had a new route this year adding about a mile to the previous distance, new PBs for everyone!
There’s lots of tradition around this race including all the runners being led around the sports field to the sound of bagpipes prior to the off.
Weather conditions were great for the race, probably a bit too warm down in the valley but cooled by a gentle breeze as you climbed and just a bit of light cloud covering the highest part of the mountain.
The race was won for a 12th consecutive time by the incredible Finlay Wild in a time of 1hr 35min. 1st Lady home was Rose Mather of York Harriers in just under 2hrs.
First Toddie home was Chris Kay doing his 1st Ben race in a great time of 2hrs 10mins 56secs
Special mention also to Gaz Pemberton finishing his 17th race and homing in on the special plaque everyone gets when they’ve completed 21.
431 people finished the race. Full list of Tod Harriers results as follows:
77th Chris Kay 2hrs 10mins 56secs
144th Dan Taylor 2hrs 24 mins 07secs
153rd Gaz Pemberton 2hrs 25mins 36secs
216th Bob Halstead 2hrs 36 mins 39secs
297th Robin Tuddenham 2hrs 52mins 30secs
by Bob Halstead