Waking up to dire warnings of 100 mph gusts on Cairngorm, the day started in a state of minor apprehension for our sojourn down to the Galloway Forest to run the Merrick.
It is a long drive (2 hrs 45 mins) and Jan (driver), Sadie and I left Penicuik in good time to get to Loch Trool to allow a decent warm up and stretch. The forecast was not brilliant (to say the least) and the drive clearly showed us that there was every opportunity that we would experience high winds, heavy rain and poor visibility. As the Merrick is also a rather technical hill race, this was one race in which I was happy to have full body kit, map and compass. That could not be said for the two gals and I made fun of Sadie the whole trip who steadily got more anxious about not having a map.
On getting to Loch Trool, the heavens duly opened with very heavy rain while we registered which sounded horrendous in the small caravan as we signed the forms. However, the race start was very calm as essentially the first hill of the race nicely sheltered us from the stormy westerly winds somewhere above.
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- Just before start
Just before 1 pm, 32 runners gathered for a photograph and pre-race briefing. The marshalls had just abandoned the Merrick summit as the winds were > 80 mph. The race organisers decided that the race would be shortened and the turnaround would be Benyellary instead. This was a great shame as the section between the Benyellary and Merrick summits is normally the most runnable section of the whole race. Therefore, instead of 12.4km (780m), the new route would be 9.5 km (580m).
I cannot really describe the first slope up Eshoncan. It is probably the most technical piece of ground I have ever had the “pleasure” to run up/down. It is a steep slope with thick bracken with a rough route trampled down to expose an intermittent rocky, muddy “path” with water running down it. I am not sure if there is normally a small stream, but with all the rain, it just seemed to be an endless tangle of rocks and small ankle deep pools interspersed with mud – all hidden by a layer of trampled bracken. Going up was bad enough, but I was deeply worried about the descent.
Starting off in relatively mild conditions in the knowledge that somewhere above you were potentially 80 mph gusts makes it rather difficult to judge what to wear. As usual, I leant towards dressing warm which initially I was cursing as I was way too hot as I got to the top of the first rise and crossed the bogs and forest track towards the ascent up to Bennan. However, about half a km before the summit of Bennan and skirting around it to the east, the weather finally hit us with full force. The strong westerly wind made the heavy rain feel like hail. I soon pulled down my sleeves, pulled up my Buff and put on a hat and was incredibly thankful that I had experimented with contact lenses as I would not have had a hope with glasses in those conditions over the rough terrain. The next kilometre or so was just a blur of stumbling (not really running), trying to stay upright and not being blown constantly to the right. Luckily (especially for Sadie), the route was well marked at this point. At the wall rock style above Corse Craig where the route turns right to the NW, the conditions were truly atrocious. I had hoped that the westerly wind might have helped a little following the wall up Benyellary. Unfortunately, it was mostly a side wind from the left and you can imagine how much I had to lean sideways to retain some semblance of balance.
Finally, there was some relief when the route joined the main tourist trail. Although the wind was still whipping from the left, the path was a relative joy to run along. Waving mad thanks to the poor Marshall waiting at the Benyellary summit and thinking that I was glad not have been him, the return trip back down to the stone style was great fun. Despite the wind, I think I really picked up the pace (it has been a relatively slow race until this point) and passed one guy and had my eyes set on someone about 200 meters ahead. The return trip was thankfully much quicker although there were sections around Bennan that had to be taken cautiously due to the wind, hidden boggy holes and slippery rocks. At one point, my map pouch flew out of my jacket to strangle me as the wind tried to blow the map away with the string nicely wrapped around my neck. The two marshalls at the forest road near Eshoncan, just before the final descent, seemed in very good spirits as I passed. Probably just happy that people were returning from the stormy weather above and they did not have to go up and look for us – or perhaps they saw my dance while trying to get my map under control.
As my legs were still quite fresh, I tried to slip into neutral for the final dreaded descent, but it was simply too technical and I went much slower than I wanted to. Very frustrating as someone overtook me who I had kept ahead of since Benyellary. However, at least I made it down without spraining an ankle and the sun even popped its head out as I crossed the finish line.
Of 31 runners (lead time: 1:07:26), we came in at:
13th: Rob Wilson: 1:21:49
23rd: Jan Dawson: 1:38:56 (3rd woman – likely missing out on a prize as we left quite quickly)
26th: Sadie Kemp: 1:47:09
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- all wet and shiny in the sun!!!
All in all, a great day as usual. Despite being a long drive, I will have to go back as I still have not ran the Merrick and it has been 33 years since my dad dragged a wee 9 year old boy up there. Hopefully next year the weather will be better. Although an extreme weather challenge once in a while is fun, I do prefer to run instead of stumble.
Rob
Quote of the day:
“That was worse than Tough Mudder, and we got electrocuted at that!”
Sadie
Hi Neil,
Only just saw this! Thanks so much for reading, and for marshalling what was a pretty tough event – think you made the right decision and thanks to your fellow marshals who were still smiling as we returned from Benyellary in the blustery rain/sleet/hail.
Am hoping to give it another go this year. Fingers crossed for more clement weather!
Best wishes,
Jan
Hi to All
I was the “poor soul” (and experienced hill walker) that was at the Benyellary position after already being to the summit of The Merrick earlier in the day. It was left to me to make the decision as to whether the race was to carry on or to cut it short. Having been up and tested the conditions I cancelled the last section of the route and cut the race short – much dismay to my fellow marshals (I could feel curses).
I think and hope I made the correct choice for the safety of everyone involved. I have to take account for the marshals due to them having to stand for lengthy periods as well as the runners. I hope no one was too disappointed but there is always next year. Of the 24 years our group has been doing the communications and marshaling it is the first time we have had to make that decision.
The marshals do this for the “love of job” (not all would agree mind you), we don’t get paid, nor expenses but we look forward to the goody bag at the end – if you lot leave us any.
I look forward to seeing you next year – I’ll be the fool at the top of the Merrick.
Neil
Honestly… 😉
Oh baby baby
Hit me baby one more time
🙂
Lol! Never noticed that! I swear I never touched him!
Jan, hands off my husband’s bum!
Youre all mad!!
Just for the record I was carrying a whistle, compass and full body cover and had been assured by Jan there was track all the way! 😉
Congratulations to Rob, Jan and Sadie on surviving the Merrick race in such challenging conditions. You must all go back on a good day because Loch Trool and the surrounding hills are absolutely gorgeous when you can see them. Another great report from Rob; and picking up Rob’s comment on maps, there is good advice on the Scottish Hill Runners website on safety in the hills. In the second line of the first paragraph CLICK on ” introduction to hill running” and you’ll see that maps, compasses and whistles must be carried in bad conditions and in the longer races; and you should have the ability to navigate. Carl took a number of us through the basics of map reading in superb style about a month ago and, if he repeats his course, I would recommend that anyone doubtful about their navigational skills attend.
I think all three of us will be compelled to do the full route one year! Now we know what to expect…
I found it oddly exhilarating on the return from Benyellary, maybe because the ascent was such a slog. That wind was something else though, those poor marshals! Good on them for sticking with it and still having the energy to cheer us on!
Think the 31 fools that turned up yesterday had a much tougher race than the >50,000 that chose to take on the Great North Run instead, but I’m glad I was one of them!
Pity Rob nearly got strangled by the map. I think thats what they call poetic justice! Was a hard race and the weather conditions made it extra challenging. I would like to go back some time and do the full distance though. Thanks to Jan for driving and Rob for the “support” lol. 🙂
will glue a map to your forehead next time
R