Manx Mountain Marathon

Race: Manx Mountain Marathon (50k/8500ft/AL)
Peaks: North Barrule, Clagh Ouyr, Snaefell, Beinn y Phott, Carraghan, Colden, Lhargee Ruy, Slieau Ruy, Greeba Mountain, Slieau Whallian, South Barrule, Cronk ny Arrey Laa, Lhiattee ny Beinnee, Bradda Hill
Time/Position: 6:19:44 (11th from 85)
There are not many things more appealing or satisfying than a long race across the spine of an island, taking in virtually every peak. This is a classic and long-established event: a genuine fell race rather than some ego exercise for yuppies. I've wanted to do it for years, but was always thwarted by the Easter start. So a change of dates this year offered a great opportunity to give it a go. I knew I didn't have the legs or recent mileage to properly race it over this distance, but I did think the climbing should be OK given the Alpine/Scottish days I've had this year, as long as I took it all very slowly! We (Dave, Jez and myself) arrived from Liverpool on Friday, then had an unpleasant alarm call at 5.15am to catch the bus from Douglas to Ramsey. A superb sunrise over the Irish Sea as we jogged along Ramsey prom: an amazing weather window in a diabolical week with widespread flooding, my 2012 weather luck holding yet again. That said, after the climb through the forest and up through very boggy moorland to the steep summit cone of North Barrule, the wind picked up and made life rather unpleasant. Not a direct headwind, perhaps, but enough to make progress pretty difficult along the fine ridge. Through watery eyes, there was a great impression of being on an island: sea on both sides of the ridge and excellent though cold and boggy running along the crest to Clagh Ouyr. This was the windiest spot on the route, and it was a battle just to stamp the checkpoint on the summit. From here, a fast descent led to the Black Hut on the TT route and a steep climb up Snaefell. By now, I was well behind the leading runners and some way ahead of those behind, so route finding became an issue, particularly as a little mist was playing around the summit of Snaefell. I took an ultra cautious bearing before enjoying the superb fast descent down to Bungalow and Brandywell. A short climb up Beinn y Phott, some food, and prospects were looking good. Gentle jogging, just enjoying the unfolding and ever-changing scenery as we gradually headed south over Carraghan before an awkward and tussocky descent led to the beautiful glen at Injebreck. Wonderful warm sunshine as we crossed a little river, then a tough, heathery and lengthy climb up Colden: one of the race's toughest sections. The ridge over Lhargee Ruy and Slieau Ruy was boggy and windy, but went well to a long descent down to the very pretty, pastoral and sun-drenched valley of the Greeba. A level bridleway led to St John's, the half way point. The stiff climb up Slieau Whallian was another crux: I was completely alone for the steep haul through conifers to gain pleasant open hillside and the start of excellent seaviews towards to western coast, which got better from the very boggy and long climb up South Barrule. The final section, from the Round Table to the coastal path, was the finest of all. A wonderful scenic contrast with the mountainous early sections. Classic Celtic coastal scenery, still very hilly indeed as we climbed over Arrey Laa. Indeed, my favourite part of the entire race was the 'bonus' hill, new for this year: Lliattee ny Beinnee, particularly as I got my second wind here. The path skirted the cliff edge, with brilliant exposed views over the sea at Eairnyerey and a terrific fast descent down to the lovely little cove of Fleshwick Bay. One more steep climb up Bradda Hill, tiring now, before the delicious final grassy descent to Bradda Head and the welcome site of the finish at Port Erin. Jez was already there, so we retired to the Falcon's Nest for some fine Manx ale, sunny sea views, and a good feed, before meeting Dave a little later that afternoon.