Due to gale force winds this years race was held over an alternative course. The race took in some of the lower forestry tracks before joining the main downhill bike track to climb up to around the 1000ft mark, it then turned and desended directly back down the bike track to finish back at the bottom restaurant and gondola station.
This years event attracted 69 runners, which I believe is a record for the race. A clear lead was established by David Rodgers from the start, but the positions behind David were wide open with Stuart Simpson, Chris Near, Alan Smith, Mark Shaw, Manual Gorman and Adrian Davis battling it out on the climb. David arrived at the turn still holding a commanding lead which would see him clinch victory. Manual Gorman won the battle for second, with Stuart Simpson holding third.
In the ladies race it was neck and neck between Dawn Scott and Marian McNeilly with Dawn holding on to first by seven seconds. Luckly the race was, as ever, slightly late in starting which allowed Lindsay Shaw, a late arrival, to run and get a well earned third place. A big thank you to our marshals, Richard and Aileen, to the timekeepers, Leen and Silvia, to Jackie for registration and prize wrapping and Andrew for helping to mark the course on New Year eve. Thanks also to Nevis Range for the use of their facilities and to West Coast Outdoor, Ben Nevis Distillery and Nevisport for donation of prizes. This year after we settled up the bill for soup and rolls, a few extra prizes and a small (very small) payment to SAL for the levy, we are left with £120 which I will donate to the Tsunami Asian Earthquake Appeal. Well done everyone.