Sunday 26th August, 10am

Free entry. Places are limited.

Introduction
As I enjoy running in the hills so much I thought I'd organise a hill race so I could share this with others! And what better way to do so than a CAAC race in my local hills, the Pentlands.
The Pentlands, being such a great place for running, already has it's fair share of races, from the famously long Pentland Skyline and extremely popular Carnethy 5 to several mid-week Bog and Burn series races; but I wanted something a little different, covering new ground, so I have created a route in the much less trodden and remoter western end of the hill range.
While training for the LAMM a couple of years ago I regularly ran round the hills above Baddinsgill reservoir, and have grown to know and love these hills really well. Far fewer people venture out here, and it's common to not see another soul all day while out running over the tops. However access is easy from both West Linton and Little Vantage and there are reasonable hill tracks over almost all the hills making for decent running. The views, both north and east to the people studded main Pentland ridges, and to the south and west across Midlothian to the Borders and the Southern Uplands are excellent.

Logistics
The start is at the end of the public road at Baddinsgill Farm, which is approximately 2.5 miles up Medwyn Road from West Linton which is itself about 16 miles from Edinburgh along the A702.
Parking is limited in the area, so please share cars when possible. There are a few lay-bys along the final mile of the road for total of perhaps 4-5 cars, and space for perhaps 8 cars outside the logging station at end of the public road about 20m from the start area. There is also parking st the larger level area about 1 mile before the start next to the filter station. This is about 15 minutes walk from the start/finish area. (All these areas are marked on the map below)
There are no specific changing or toilet facilities at the start area, so please come prepared to race.
Entry by hitting the Log in to SignUplink to register for the race. Declaration, where you will be issued with your race number, is at the start area from 9am. Places are limited, so enter asap.
As this is the first running of the race, it is my intention to keep it relatively informal, as such it is not a SA or SHR permit race, and as such not covered by their procedures and insurance cover. If the event proves successful I may register it with them for any future running of the race. Further, for similar reasons, the race is not  officially organized or sanctioned by CAAC, but is being done so by myself directly.

Route Description
The route is on hill tracks of some description pretty much all the way round, making up much of the natural skyline of a circuit of the hills around Baddinsgill Reservoir. It is 11.4 miles with 700m of height gain as measured using a garmin watch. There are 9 waypoints, all unchecked and unmarked, although there are 4 marshalled points. See the map below.
The start is at the junction of the Old Drove Road and the road leading to Baddinsgill house. From there is 1/4 mile of tarmac through the grounds to a gate (first waypoint, with a marshal) leading off right of the road to the open hillside. A well worn track leads up hillside towards Faw Mount. Before the summit of Faw Mount, near an enclosure (second waypoint, with a marshal), the track trends diagonally across the slope to the East crossing several wet areas, before becoming a broad obvious track running parallel to the fence line that rises to the summit of Mount Maw and trig point on the summit (third waypoint). This broad track continues along the ridge again, parallel to fence line, over more wet ground in places, passing Grain Heads, and onwards towards the summit of the Mount. The views east from here are excellent. Before the summit of the Mount the fence line bends sharply left (forth waypoint) beginning a descent over rough heather to very boggy ground around Deer Hope. Once across the boggy ground a long stone wall line runs up and across the west side of Weather Law (avoiding the flat summit area) before another rough heather descent to Henshaw Mouth and more boggy ground. The wall continues on it's step ascent of the south shoulder of East Cairn. After a false summit and another small climb the summit ridge of East Cairn is reached. On the north side of the stone wall is a good, though often boggy, track running west all the way to the large stone cairn of the summit (fifth waypoint). From here care is need to pick the correct track that quickly steepens as it descents towards over rough heather and rocky ground to the Cauldstone Slap and the crossing of the Drove Road (sixth waypoint, half way, with a marshal, and escape route for those retiring). Crossing the style a often very wet track runs parallel to a fence and wall line west all the way up the big drag to the summit of West Cairn and its cairn and trig point next to a fence corner (seventh waypoint). A fainter track continues beside the fence line along the summit ridge of West Cairn before eventually turning south towards the large open heather covered moor of Wolf Crags. Here the track begins to peter out and the best line through the heather must be found before crossing the burns round Wolf Crags. Another long climb, picking the best route were possible reaches the fore summit of Byrehope Mount where a better track, running parallel to a fence line crossing more wet ground, eventually reaches the almost flat summit area and a bend in the fence line (eighth waypoint). The finish can be seen from here, but there is still 1 more hill to go! A fast descent to the south passing several sheep feeding stations is all over too quickly before the final short sharp ascent of King Seats (ninth and final waypoint, with a marshal). Return briefly back towards the col and quickly decide which way to race round Lamb Rig (to the north, over the top, round to the south? Which is quicker?!) before a quick sprint across the open but rough ground to the finishing line and glory!

Safety
This is a hill race, with all that entails. It is not a trail or cross country race.
The route is not marked and there is no support out on the course.
Full body cover and map/compass compulsory. There may be kit checks.
Rough terrain so fells shoes required.
You should be happy running in the hills and over rough and unmarked terrain and be prepared to be self reliant. If you find others injured, distressed or in need of help please stop and assist even at expense of your own race.
If you withdraw or retire from the race you must let the race organizer know as soon as possible.
There is an obvious escape point half way round the course where the Drove road is crossed that leads back to the start/finish area.
There are no suitable sources of drinking water on the route of the race. Water and bananas will be provided at the finish.

Prizes
1st senior man (18-39) +  1st in every 10 year age bracket over 40
1st senior woman (18-39) + 1st in every 10 year age bracket over 40

Presentation will take place after the the last person finishes (probably no later than 2pm) in the Gordon Arms in West Linton. It's got a lovely bar, also serving food, with an outdoor beer garden, not far from the start/end. It's a great place for everyone to relax their weary legs while recounting tales of their race adventure!


View Baddinsgill Round Hill Race in a larger map with full details.