The normal field of 25 was swelled tenfold by runners making the trek to the Lowther Hills in Dumfries for this British Championship race. The race was an AM – 10.5 miles with 3,800 ft of climbing, and was surprisingly accessible being just off the M74. The 2 road crossings allowed for a pre-race recce on the drive in. Conditions were superb for running – blue skies, not too hot, and a cool breeze on the tops. The Lowther Hills are similar to the Howgills - steep sided grassy hills with rounded tops.
There must have been a good number of Hunters Bog Trotters at the race, as the cries of HBT! at the start carried on around the whole course. NFR old-boy Morgan Donnelly led the charge on the first climb. I followed the masses on a lower level traverse but was no nearer to Morgan when we rejoined the path (surprise surprise). After the first climb to Black Hill there was a very steep descent to the first road crossing.
Paths and trods led around Steygail to a col. Here I was trying (and failing) to keep up with Alison Raw (Bingley) until a short-cut following a local allowed me to sneak in front. At the next road crossing the pre-race recce came in handy, and I found a good line up to the Lavern Burn. A long tussocky climb on a rough trod led to the steep ascent of Well Hill. This section would have been tricky in the mist, but luckily the clouds were high and visibility was A1.
A glorious high level run led back to Black Hill for the final fast descent. The sting in the tail was a 50 metre run uphill to the finish. Afterwards the tea and cakes in the church hall made for a very convivial ending. This was a very enjoyable race and well worth the trip.
Rob Jebb won, Morgan Donnelly was second, and Angela Mudge won the ladies’ race. I might have made a placing in the ladies’ race, but there the glory ends.
John Duff
