Glen Rosa Horseshoe race Arran

A taste of Island magic in a day trip, and what an inspiring day it was, the mountains totally clear of cloud and shimmering in the clear atmosphere and summer heat. Even Ardrossan at the ferry terrminal looked vaguely attractive with the sandstone tenements glowing red in the sun. Most unusual. It being the first of the SHR 'long' championship series, large numbers of familiar faces were on the ferry, and there was quite a party atmosphere. Arran transport moved us all efficiently to the start at Brodick castle ranger centre, most dutifully paid the £3 fare, I smugly waved my bus pass.

The two main problems of the day were going to be dehydration and sunburn, so it was the foolhardy that hadn't prepared for these. In fact, with the  northerly air flow that accounted for the crystal clear atmosphere, the ridge temperatures were ideal. The route took us into Glen Rosa itself before striking up at various points onto the first top of Beinn Chliabhain. No sooner up then the celebrated flagged descent into Coire Daingean of vertical grass and scree has to be negotiated, followed by an awkward heathery contour through the corrie to reach the path for Cir Mhor. Its up and down this one by the same route, then another highly committing contour to the saddle under North goatfell. The granite outcrops plunge deep into the glen so it is a question of picking the best line. Lose too much height and you have to regain it all to the saddle, too high and you end up rock scrambling across exposed slabs where a fall would not be advisable!

The path to North Goatfell and subsequently to Goatfell itself twists and turns amongst the impressive crags with a few awkward steps, but the summit trig point is a welcome sight, knowing that that is all the ascent over with. Very few runners relish the constructed path off Goatfell, ideal for walkers, awful for runners, and is party to many a mishap over the years with the ball bearing gravelly surface. I took my time, granite and skin don't get on, but at last you are flagged into the final mile or so of cooling forest track, a final descent through a field and its over. I had a few spasms of cramp in this section, despite rehydrants, looking anxiously out for my nearest category rival, but managed to hang on.

Andy Symonds won the men's race and Jill Mykura was the first woman. I think I was 41st in 3.17 or so, and some vital points to edge ahead in my category series, until the next one at Tomnabat anyway.