Goatfell Hill Race 2019

Andy Cox, Kenny Davidson, Alan Elder and Dave Gaffney headed to Arran for the Goatfell Race. It is a 15.5km classic with a bit of everything : road, trail, rough hill track, and scrambling up steep granite boulders to reach the 870m summit. Then a tricky descent and fast run off to return to Brodick. A drizzly wet morning with low cloud shrouding the island meant the boulders on the descent would be slippery and dangerous, giving the already daunting challenge an extra edge...

Andy had another strong run and another top 10 finish, maintaining his good form shown at Ben Lomond the previous weekend.
Kenny and Alan both went well covered the course in 1:49:16 and 1:54:00 respectively, meaning all three finished in the top 80 of the 180 or so runners who started the race.
Bad luck for Dave who was back running and racing for the first time after more than a month off with a foot injury. He had a strong climb, especially considering the lack of training, however on the descent Dave stopped for a few minutes to assist another runner who had had a bad fall, with a bashed and bloodied head. Dave sacrificed his headwear to help stem the blood flow and then set off when more qualified help arrived in the shape of a medical student. However the mountain didn't repay his good karma and a couple of minutes later Dave twisted his ankle badly and had to limp down to the Mountain Rescue landrover, where he was reacquainted with his newfound injured pal and his bloodied Buff! Wishing Dave super quick healing ligaments!
Despite the various scrapes and falls it was a fabulous day out on a great route with thanks to Shettleston Harriers for their wonderful organisation and plentiful post race refreshments and to Arran Mountain Rescue who made sure everyone was safe on the hill.
Results: http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceResults.aspx?RaceID=RA-0037&RaceYear=2019