Jungfrau marathon

Back from the Jungfrau marathon which was, as expected, a stupendous outing. I had high expectations, but they were exceeded by the magnificent scenery, support and organisation. Got round in less than 5 hours - 4.56, which almost put me in the top quarter of finishers for a race with 1829m (6000ft+) of climbing. The weather was superb - it had started to clear up the day before when we (Dave, Neil and myself) went up the Schilthorn (3000m) for superb views of the Bernese Oberland in a classic cloud inversion. But the day itself dawned crystal clear and stayed that way - couldn't have been better. The course is wonderfully varied and challenging - flattish to 25k, then very steep zigzags to Wengen where the atmosphere and crowd is like nothing I've ever experienced. There follows a gently inclining section to the incredible denouement on the very steep Eigergletscher moraine ridge, the glaciers towering above topped by the Monch and Jungfrau, followed by the steep downhill last 1km to finish at Kleine Scheidegg at the base of the north face of the Eiger. Quite a day.