Darkness first couple hours with cold almost frosty ground. Quick stop in woods off trail to dig cathole and shed weight. Felt a lot better.
Tried not to go too hard and was a couple minutes down on previous recce first 10miles. Long sections of forestry tracks seemed to never end.
Bang on Jacks splits for 11.5mile.
Pushed on towards Cannich for 20mins up. Dog falls was a welcome sight and 29mins up. It was stunning scenery once into Glen Affric and I had to resist the urge to take photos.
Some fairly technical single track after Affric and into Kintail slowed it all down. Kept 30+ min lead after Bothy.
Some awful sections of flooded trail with no way round so fully submerged shoes only way.
Fuelled well and was able to keep the effort throughout. Noted to myself the little climbs I hiked last time I was on this route but ran this time.
10k out from the finish I was 45mins up and it was apparent a sub 7 hour was on. But the technical downhill towards morvich I couldn't quite get to the 830min mile I needed. Onto the flatter wide tracks 3 miles out I could turn over and push the pace. I really thought I had it....until I didn't. Half a mile from finish and the 7hr ticked over.
Haha, all those tiny little lost moments earlier then maybe.
Thank you Jack Wiseman for a solid time to chase. 👍
Super satisfied with the run and solid time. I'm sure it will come down into the 6hr figure soon enough.
Glad how I managed salts, food, hydration and fatigue. Feet not too battered either.
Carried all nutrition and gear and only used natural water sources on route, of which there were plenty.
Ran solo and only saw one hiker in Affric and a couple estate workers. Bliss!
Time to put my feet up and have a couple beers and a little food 😏.
Roll on 2026!