Moorfoots at the Meall a Bhuachaille Hill Race 2019

The Boys of the Bhuachaille....

After much previous talk of a Moorfoot weekend away, Dave ‘Gaffers’ Gaffney mobilised the troops and it is was off to Aviemore for the Meall a Bhuachaille Hill Race.

A strong field of ~250 was assembled for what was the final race of the 2019 SHR Championship series, with six Moorfoots on the start line in bright and blustery conditions, a cold wind sweeping the tops and the first dusting of snow of the winter up on the higher Cairngorms.

Good runs by all, on a tough course…the %Winner values showing the strength of the assembled field.

The race winner was Finlay Wild of Lochaber AC, setting a new course record in a blistering 1:00:00, and Caroline Marwick of Inverness Harrier,  first lady home in 1:16:02

Pos.       Runner                                                                     Category Time      %Winner

66           Andrew Dancer               Moorfoot Runners          M40       1:18:02  130.1%

76           Colin Williams                Moorfoot Runners          M40       1:20:26  134.1%

94           David Gaffney                 Moorfoot Runners          M40       1:22:23  137.3%

129         Kenny Davidson              Moorfoot Runners          M50       1:28:04  146.8%

152         Dean Carr                        Moorfoot Runners          M40       1:31:38  152.7%

164         Alan Elder                       Moorfoot Runners          M50       1:35:17  158.8%

Full results here....

The race though, was only part of the weekend activities…

Saturday morning started with a live viewing RWC semi final between England and New Zealand at the Aviemore Hostel; Eddie did a bit of winter mountaineering up on the Cairngorm plateau, out and back to Ben Macduie; post race, was a short run out and back to the Ryvoan Bothy; Saturday evening entertainment took in a few Aviemore hostelries…with small contingent making it to a local Halloween Party and a disco featuring a six foot parrot….don’t ask!

Sunday morning featured more live RWC action with Wales and South Africa before a more gentle Sunday run around the Rothiemurchies Estate, out through the forest, round the lochs with a further bothy visit (Drakes Bothy), before the long drive home again.

Thanks again to Gaffers for the planning and organisation and to all who participated to make the weekend a success…lots of enthusiasm to do a similar Moorfoot away-weekend again next year !