Tea and Medals at Ben Ledi

The last time I was up Ben Ledi was the occasion of Dave’s 60th, when a number of Harriers joined him on a trek to the summit.

This race had been postponed due to bad weather earlier in the year so Stuart and I headed up on this new date. I had fancied Ben Rinnes, but a bit of a drive. Headed through Callander to see the imposing Ben, you cant miss it, it’s the big lump on the left. Registered in a field by Loch Lubnaig, then the usual mingling about before the start and the habitual 4 seasons in half an hour as has been the Summer so far.

Off we went, pretty decent field with a good sprinkling of racing snakes, soon to disappear from sight.

The course is a 10k circular route with a 2500 foot ascent. Initially up a forest road and then onto the open hillside and the tourist path up to the shoulder and the drag up to the summit,. The weather was kind if not even a bit hot. Had a fleeting glimpse around at the cairn revealing a stunning vista. No time for gawping though, a quick traverse of the ridge then a plummet down Stank Glen, a superb techy descent, quite boggy with all the rain and eventually briefly back to the forest road, then off into the woods and over the line, in 1:09:47, Stuart had finished in 1:04:52

I got torn into several cups of tea and cake, the tea being downed in a rather nice race mug.

Stuart reckoned he may be up for a prize so we hung about (eaten alive) for the delayed Prize giving. I was sitting in the car, when much to my surprise I got called out for 3rd Super Vet, then Stu for 2nd, we were well chuffed

Back down the road for a quick pit stop in Callender for the food of champions, a pie and a bridie.

Great race and thoroughly recommend it.

Results update according to Scottish Hill Racing we were 1st and 2nd old boys.