Meall an t-Suidhe hill race report

…or Mel-an-tee according to the locals and meaning ‘Hill of the Seat’ because it resembles the seat of a chair with Ben Nevis as the backrest!

A large squad of Shetts made it up to Fort William for the Meall an t-Suidhe (Melantee) Hill Race on the 1^st July 2023, not just for the race but for a very pleasant, if rather soggy, sleepover at Glen Nevis campsite.
This short, sharp race, with 460 metres of ascent packed into less than 5k, was made to look effortlessness by a few men and woman in a very strong field of 227 runners. This was the 3rd race in this year’s Scottish Hill Running Championship schedule but also the Scottish ‘counter’ in the British Champs. With two ‘longs’ and a ‘medium’ in the Scottish to come there is a lot still to play for. Unusually due to the large field and narrow route, the men and woman had staggered start times which made for a great spectating.
The ladies team comprised of CJ MacPhail, Jessica Brydon (supported by 6 month old Ava as our beautiful Shett’s mascot), Matilda Cornall, Mary Wilson and Myrtle and Susan Breckenridge.
CJ, on top form, made the finish line in a very impressive 38:19, placing her 2nd Scottish woman and 8^th overall. Relative new member Matilda finished in 17^th place in 39:57, staying upright most of the way down a very slippery descent! Jessica (43^rd, 46.00) and Mary (58^th, 49.10) also put in determined efforts. This was Mary’s first official hill race for the club so Melantee certainly gave her a taste of the unique challenges of hill racing. Myrtle made the finish in 61^st (49:47), followed by Susan (70^th, 55.23) comfortably under the hour.

In the men’s race, Dan Dry devoured his way up the incline completing the race in an outstanding 29:26 in 7^th place overall. He was followed by Harry Pulham in a very impressive 30:01(13^th). Ian Pender had a terrific run in 33:37 (43^rd) pursued). John Connaghan maintained his usual great form in the M50 category, achieving 36:05 (63^rd) pursued by Ross Cruickshanks, returning from injury, in 36:37 (70^th)
Bill Breckenridge (37.28, 80^th) and Kevin Brydon (37.46, 81^st) had great runs, navigating their way nimbly through the dense bracken and hefty bog towards the finishing flat section.
Despite losing the sole of his shoe in a tussle with a tussock, Alex Clarkson, heroically completed the race with one shoe and his sock. Thankfully damage to foot was minimal but Alex is now pursuing a refund from a major hill running retailer. Thanks to Ella from Westies for retrieving the shoe in question. His time of 38:05 (84^th) still proves that Alex is well and truly the life and sole of the race! Alistair aka TJ Pringle came in on 39:59 (107^th) shortly followed by Rodrigo Reis in 43:58 (121^st). Although  not running in a Shetts vest on this occasion, Kenny Richmond (33.38, 42^nd) had a superb run in the Vet 50 category. 

This is a great set of results. Well done to everyone who braved the wind and rain to make this such an enjoyable weekend of running! Next up Ben Rinnes on the 29^th July.

The situation at the halfway point in the Champs sees Dan in 2^nd place in the senior men and Harry 4^th. Robert Simpson also makes the top 10 in 8^th. Although already vet 50s, Kenny (1^st) and John (10^th) both feature high up in the vet 40 category, 2^nd and 11^th respectively. In the team events Shettleston men are in 2^nd place in the seniors and 3^rd in the over 40s.

The women are also flying high with CJ well placed in 5^th and Zoe in 11^th while the team remain in contention in 3^rd.

Susan Breckenridge