Coll Half Marathon Report

Post date: Nov 4, 2015 9:07:14 PM

By Margaret Sinclair

Robert Semple and Margaret Sinclair went to Coll on the 15th August to do the half marathon. We arrived at 9.30 am by ferry from Oban the run didn't start till 2.00 so there was plenty time to get to the Community Centre to register. For anyone who was camping the site is beside the Community Centre.

There was hot drinks and biscuits for before the run home baking afterwards soup, burgers, chilli, beer and booze later on.

The route started at the Ferry Pier, up the hill through the village of Arinagour passed the Community Centre then over the island on a circular route, up and down lots of little hills I don't remember any flat bits, maybe there were ones before you hit another hill. Passed a little airstrip then about a mile over a sandy track through the field with the cows. Mile 7 there was a wee dram of whisky or a glug of wine,(yes I did) the marshals were dressed as nurses and surgeons here, round the corner we met the grim reaper marshal. Every mile there was a water station manned by very supportive marshals. Sunshine, wind and a wee shower along the way. On the last hill climb I could hear the cheering and see the church steeple, a long down hill, through the gate at the Community Centre and that was it done. Brilliant. The prize giving was before the ceilidh, music by Hectors Heroes. Everyone was very friendly, will definitely be doing it again. Spotted a basking shark from the ferry on the way back to Oban.