2nd GLEN AFFRIC DUATHLON 2006

Race Report

……..Saturday 22nd April had been cold, wet and very windy, but race day, Sunday 23rd April 2006 dawned with hope in the skies. It was bright, a bit windy, with the threat of showers from the odd passing cloud, but by the time the competitors had started to make the stunning drive to race start at the end of Glen Affric, the day ahead was looking more and more promising.

Race start/finish was a buzz with commentary, music, mountain rescue, red cross, communications personnel and marshals getting ready. With pride we can announce that race start was bang on 11:00 (am!!!) as advertised, with 148 starters and a new course ahead that would test everyone.

The runners threaded their way up the hill track behind Am Meallan, along the mountain valley flanked by the dramatically snow capped mountains Tom a Choinich, Sgurr na Lapaich, Mam Sodhail and Carn Eige, all crystal clear and dominant in the sunshine. They crossed swollen byrnes, battled peat bog, and finally forded a wide river crossing before making the ascent up Am Meallan at 1500ft above sea level. Mountain rescue did an excellent job, with 3 ropes to get everyone across, and the marshals were encouraging the competitors all the way. By the time the runners reached the top of Am Meallan, the sun was blazing, and affording superb views down over Glen Affric below. Down they went to loch Affric, following it’s shores back to transition.

Our transition bike racking, constructed with a high degree of accuracy and technological innovation, is made of old wooden logs from the forest floor, suitably rotting but stable enough to avoid a domino effect style collapse. They are designed to complement the modern, sleek, shiny racing machines they support, which the competitors were now relieved to be grabbing and jumping on as a respite from what was a pretty tough run.

Leading after the first run was Steve Wales of Edinburgh’s KDS squad, followed closely by Kenny Riddle of Inverness, the first in the individual race. Lead women was Angela Mudge demonstrating her well-known ability in the hills.

Onto the cycle, fast down the road to Dog Falls, and then onto the forest tracks, up two tough climbs, then descend to the shoreline of Loch Benevean. The cycle section winds its way through the renowned ancient forests of Glen Affric and is very scenic, pretty challenging, and in parts rough. Although not technical, the forest tracks did unfortunately claim some casualties, as is the nature of the wilderness.

As competitors started to finish the cycle, transition was by now a melee of people coming and going, with the field as spread out now as it was going to be. KDS had extended their lead with a very powerful cycle display from Andy Barlow. In the individual race, Kenny Riddle and Angela Mudge had also increased their leads and were now well into the groove. With only a 2.5 mile run left, many were focussed on one last big effort to maintain, or gain places. Others however were just content to enjoy the glory of the Nature Reserve, bathed in hot sun…and why not!!! There were some tongues hanging out and some contorted faces, but the local kids were doing a great job on the water station on the exit to transition. As race commentator Andrew MacKintosh stated “Here comes Mike Sell of Worcester……a long way to come to look so miserable”.

The final run, the sting in the tail, is ever so picturesque, short, twisting, turning, and turning and twisting, and undulating and switching back and climbing briefly alongside the rapids of river Affric. After that, it is a straight ¾ mile burn down the tarmac to the finish, a bottle of Fionnar water, a banana, and some great cakes at the café tent. Team KDS maintained their phenomenal lead to the finish, setting the standard for future Relay teams to beat. However, Kenny Riddle crossed the line as first individual in a time of 2hr15min, 4 minutes ahead of the speedy Donald Paterson of Fort William in second place. Third place went to Mike Stewart. In the ladies race, Angela Mudge retained 1st place, and a superb 11th place overall, only 15 minutes behind Kenny Riddle. Second lady was Gill Irvine, followed by Ruth Mackenzie. Katy Boocock won the ladies vet title with Tim Brand of Oban taking the mens. The supervets were won by Raymond Wilby and Evelyn Coull…..…transition remained warm and bright throughout prize-giving……what a day!

……..and as for Monday 24th, it was cold and windy!!!!