Great Wilderness Challenge, 2012
West coast magic at the GWC
On the same weekend as the Purple Thistle 4 Maroc members decided instead to attend the Great Wilderness Challenge – a running event based at Poolewe with the aim of raising sponsorship for Highland charities.
On the same weekend as the Purple Thistle 4 Maroc members decided instead to attend the Great Wilderness Challenge – a running event based at Poolewe with the aim of raising sponsorship for Highland charities.
The main race here is tougher than the Mighty Thistle, tougher, even, than a Donald Kerridge Black course – 25 miles of rough track and terrain running from Corrie Hallie (near Dundonnel) to Poolewe, through some of the most stunning and remote mountain scenery in Scotland.
Kathy Dale sensibly opted for the 13 mile option and finished 3rd woman.
In the 25 miler Dave Hirst ended up 5th – and first over 50. Sarah was 2nd woman (albeit rather a long way behind the winner - ed.) and I managed to achieve a record of some sort – by doing my slowest ever time!
Check out the event website – it is worth attending the event if only for the massive spread of food produced for the runners, helpers and others at Poolewe Village Hall. www.greatwildernesschallenge.info
The 25 mile race is a real epic – it starts with a 500m climb out of Corrie Hallie then drops down a rough, muddy slope to Shenavall bothy (below An Teallach), crosses 2 rivers and a trackless bog then picks up stalking paths for the next few miles which include another 500m climb. The descent from this to the causeway between Fionn Loch and Dubh Loch is an epic – steep and sustained with views to take your breath away – a wall of cliffs to the south over 8km long. After this the track turns north west and heads over many undulations (too many undulations!) to the farm of Kernsary and the last 6km of track and tarmac road – not nice!
The whole local community joins in the support – manning feed stations, preparing the feast for after the race and cheering in each and every walker and runner from the various routes. I would recommend this race to anyone who wants a long run in superb terrain.
Next year I’ll be back…. And maybe manage to halt my rapid slowing of pace!
Jon Musgrave
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