Arrochar 10K 2017

Post date: Oct 12, 2017 2:43:52 PM

By Ewan Smith

Apologies for the lateness of this report but as it took one member 2 months to put in his report on the TT10K, I can at least claim I am

still faster than Iain MacGougan ( yes Iain, I know karma is shortly going to pay me back big style for that jibe!)

Anyway the Arrochar 10k was a few weeks ago now and the CRC members present were Margaret Sinclair, James MacEachern and Ewan Smith;

conditions were near perfect with only a little light drizzle at times. The course begins at the head of Loch Long with the first couple of Ks

being along a fairly flat forestry track before beginning an ascent along the shoulder of the Cobbler. The climb is challenging without

being ridiculous but as ever on that kind of terrain, just when you thought you were at the top, a wee dip would appear followed by another

climb. Soon, however, we were descending towards the A83 and the campsite at Ardgartan. I got across the road without delay but I can

see how you could easily get delayed here. The descent on both sides of the road is more twisting path than forestry road and personally I found

it as challenging as the climb and as we entered the campsite grounds, I was aware that Simone Charnock from amid Argyll was closing in on me.

Soon we were out onto the pavement along the main road. I had never realised just how fast the traffic travels along the road there and I

think on a wet day the spray could make things quite interesting. I had picked up the pace but nonetheless was passed by a couple of guys who

there had been no sign of earlier. This is something I had noticed happening in Dunoon and I think I need to start pushing harder in the

last quarter of the race. Just at the top of the hill I heard feet very close behind. I glanced over my shoulder, expecting Simone to pass me.

But instead I saw a grey haired man which gave me the resolve to up the pace and I pulled away from him. Ultimately I finished in 43:30, far

behind David Savage's winning time of 36:10. James came in in 48:35 with Margaret on 57:29 ( 4th female vet).

Now the important bit; the scoff in the hall is excellent and nowadays that's how I judge a race. Lovely home baking and all included which

given that Arrochar is not a dear race represents excellent value. The prizes are also excellent with a number of spot prizes. For first senior

vet I got a bottle of Glenfiddich and a cruise for a family of 4 on Loch Lomond. I would like it to be known that the seal on the bottle is still

unbroken. I did wonder why anyone would give a family prize for an old fla's race. However, I have come to realise it could be quite handy -

it means you can bring your carers along too. All in all a great race and if you've never been its worth considering.