Whats on this weekend

This weekend sees the inaugural running of two new events in Scotland. First up is the Highlander Mountain Marathon, a 2 day event situated an hour from Inverness. This is your typical mountain marathon but a bit friendlier. Food will be provided at the half way camp and of course because of the time of year, there should be no midges!


The Mighty Deerstalker is brought to you by Detail Events, the creators of The Rat Race and the company in charge of the WARC 2007. This is an adventure run taking place at the ever popular Traquir House in Tweed Valley. There is a 5km and a 10km race, the 10km race requiring a headtorch as it will finish in the dark.

Highland Fling Ultra 85km

The Highland Fling Ultra is an unsupported 85km multi-terrain run following the West Highland Way from Milngavie to Tyndrum. Competitors have 15 hours in which to cover the distance and make their way through 4 check points. The race this year takes place on the 28th of April and you can still enter here up until the 23rd of April.

The race now in it second year is proving popular with more than treble the number of runners taking up the challenge already.

Whats on this weekend

This weekend (24th/25th March) sees the Spring Polaris Challenge taking place at Traquir Estate in the borders. This is a 2 day mountain bike orienteering challenge with an over night camp for teams of 2 or solo racers. There are still places available so if you get to Traquir House tonight (Fri) or tomorrow morning before 9am, you could be taking part.



This weekend is also the Trossachs Duathlon. This is a 7 mile run up Ben Venue climbing 2200ft followed by a 16 mile bike mainly on fire roads and then a 2 mile run again on Ben Venue to finish. No entries are taken on the day but go along and give your support.

Montrail Phoenix - Bargain

Montrail Phoenix courtesy of Rock + Run

This weeks bargain buy has to be the Montrail Phoenix trail shoe from Rock + Run. These shoes retail at £60 but you can pick up a pair for £35 at Rock + Run. Never one to miss a bargain, Xtreme-Element have snapped up a pair and a full review will follow, in the mean time here is a good review of these shoes by Andy Hyslop.

Criffel Hill Race 2007

The Criffel Hill Race took place on Sunday the 18th of March, the 11km course climbs from the picturesque village of New Abbey in Dumfries & Galloway up Knockendoch and along the saddle to the summit of Criffel, in total this is an 1800ft climb the majority of which happens on the steep ascent of Knockendoch. Due to poor weather the course had to be shorted to the summit of Knockendoch and back.

The weather on the hill was -6C, snowing sideways and gusts of upto 45 miles per hour. In total 40 runners took part in the race and all finished despite the terrible conditions.

Pictures above is the lead 3 runners on the way to the summit of Knochendoch, Marcus Scotney leading and looking far too comfortable, this was to change though as the race progressed.

1. Brain Marshall - Help - 37.33
2. Andrew Wright - Cambuslang H - 39.10
3. Marcus Scotney - Shettleston H - 40.57

For full race results see Scottish Hill Racing

The race was very well supported by the Moffat Mountain Rescue Team