If it wasn’t for the Ayrshire hill running championships I wouldn’t have been there. Urie Loch on Arran that is. My hip still hurts morning noon and evening.

The biggest problem with the race is it’s start time of 2pm. If you get the early boat, you’re kicking your heels for 3 hours in Brodick and if you get the 12:30 (like me), it’s a mad dash off the boat, onto the bus and hope they’ll delay the start.

I met up with Scott McKendrick who’s company has sponsored the championship. I happily informed him that I’d like a medium jersey for being the only person to complete every race in the series (providing I manage Straiton).

The bus got us to Lamlash with about 30 seconds to spare so we sprinted to the changing rooms. Last year there were virtually no facilities and the post race shower was provided by a garden hose. This year, with the new school opened, we had the luxury of exceptional changing rooms and great showers.

No time for admiring the décor… on with the inovs and out to the start – we were by this time, 5 minutes late. Hey, why haven’t they started?? WHAT! – delayed 15 minutes….. The word is that next year the organisers will bring the time of the race forward so as to make catching ferries a bit more civilised.

Urie Loch has always been one of the messiest races on the calendar and the past few days of rain simply compounded that reputation. Even if you didn’t take a tumble (and lots did), you’d still be covered. A very steep soggy path stretching for about 2 miles through trees does the damage – but it’s great fun really.

Considering the injury I’m carrying, the race went as well as could be expected. It was sore going up and stiffened up going down to the extent I was 4 minutes slower than last year and 7 slower than the year before. The best time I’ve done was about 5 years ago when I managed 54 minutes. Today it was 69!!

Adam Anderson of Carnethy was the clear winner and will add his name to the cup for about the 4th time. 1st Ayrshire was Nicky Emsley who also looks like he could be the eventual winner of the championship. Tom McCulloch was 1st over 50 and I hate to think where I came in (I’ll post full results when they’re available).

Following the prize giving it was another mad dash to get back for the 4:40 boat. An enjoyable trip back with Finlay and John from Irvine finished off another good day.

Last in the championship is the Straiton (Craigengower) Hill Race on 23 August. This is one that everyone needs to put into their diaries. It’s one of the best days out you’ll get in Ayrshire. Not only that but it’ll be the only chance to run against oor Andy (and have a good laugh when he finishes up sliding down on his a*se). Don’t miss it.

BTW – nice pair of orange gloves adorned my fingers today. No falls so didn’t need them for once and they’ll live to be shredded on another!