Beautiful spring weather welcomed 500 runners to Fort William for the Lochaber Marathon on Sunday, 15 April.
An out and back course along the shore of Loch Linhe was the challenge and 6 runners from Bellahouston Roadruners were up for it.
The course is fairly flat, undulating in places. Basically you run towards Corpach and continue on until you reach 13 miles, then turn round and run back. The snow capped mountains give a scenic backdrop and the fact there are only 500 runners and few cars means you get a clear run. Although there is a sneaky wee steep hill in the last mile.
Bellahouston highlights included PBs for Greg Glendinning ( 2.41 and 1st MV40) and 2.59 for Nea Macinnes.
Thanks to Danielle, Brendan, Susie and Peter for their excellent support around the course.
Bellahouston Times
Greg Glendinning 3.41
Nea Macinnes 2.59
John Gilhooley 3.09
Frans Roelefse 3.14
Tomoyo Fujiwara 3.33
David Boyle 3.39
Above report from David
And some additional reporting… from Tomoyo
I enjoyed running this race, beautiful view and plenty of water station there.
It was my 19th marathon and I had my first experience “I took a wrong turn” at 25 miles, as I did not see any runners in front of me. However the guy who was running behind me (actually he was walking when I passed), he shouted and rescued me!!! I wonder if this guy ignored me….am I still running now?? Lucky me, I guess!
I will try hard again at the Edinburgh marathon next month to get sub 3:30!!!
Thank you for all your support.
And more from Nea …..
Phew, that was close!
Ran 2:59:46, new PB by 10 mins. Perfect running weather on lovely flat course, until the last mile when little hills come out of nowhere and feel as if you are climbing Ben Nevis itself!
I thought I had 90secs to spare and cruise to the finish until Brendan started running beside me in the last mile screaming at me and looking worriedly at the stop watch on his iphone. My garmin was showing that the finish must be round the corner, but alas it was round the corner, up the hill, round another corner and then the final straight (0.25miles longer than I thought!).
In the final straight just as the legs wanted to fall off I had Brendan screaming behind me and Peter screaming in front of me – there was NO way I was not going to finish under 3 hrs!!
Great support from Danielle, Suzie and the Sadistic Duo – Brendan & Peter! I know I could not have done it with out your support – BRILLIANT!!!!
Well done to all Bella’s on the day and Greg getting 1st V40!
