The normal field of 25 was swelled tenfold by runners making the trek to the Lowther Hills in Dumfries for this British Championship race.  The race was an AM – 10.5 miles with 3,800 ft of climbing, and was surprisingly accessible being just off the M74.  The 2 road crossings allowed for a pre-race recce on the drive in.  Conditions were superb for running – blue skies, not too hot, and a cool breeze on the tops.   The Lowther Hills are similar to the Howgills - steep sided grassy hills with rounded tops.

There must have been a good number of Hunters Bog Trotters at the race, as the cries of HBT! at the start carried on around the whole course.  NFR old-boy Morgan Donnelly led the charge on the first climb.  I followed the masses on a lower level traverse but was no nearer to Morgan when we rejoined the path (surprise surprise).  After the first climb to Black Hill there was a very steep descent to the first road crossing. 

Paths and trods led around Steygail to a col.  Here I was trying (and failing) to keep up with Alison Raw (Bingley) until a short-cut following a local allowed me to sneak in front.  At the next road crossing the pre-race recce came in handy, and I found a good line up to the Lavern Burn.  A long tussocky climb on a rough trod led to the steep ascent of Well Hill.  This section would have been tricky in the mist, but luckily the clouds were high and visibility was A1.

A glorious high level run led back to Black Hill for the final fast descent.  The sting in the tail was a 50 metre run uphill to the finish.  Afterwards the tea and cakes in the church hall made for a very convivial ending.  This was a very enjoyable race and well worth the trip.

Rob Jebb won, Morgan Donnelly was second, and Angela Mudge won the ladies’ race.  I might have made a placing in the ladies’ race, but there the glory ends.

John Duff

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