Newtonmore Wildcat Trail Race

The Scottish Wildcat centre is part of the Newtonmore Community Woodland & Development Trust, which has created two fun activities to do in and around Newtonmore.

One of them being the Wildcat experience, which is a treasure hunt around the village, looking for over 100 painted wild cats which are roaming in gardens, houses and businesses throughout the village. I have previously ticked off a good chunk of them over the course of three afternoon visits.

The second is a loop trail around the village, through some lovely scenery which (If you’re not running) has some wonderful views. The trail needs upkeep to the path, stiles, fences and bridges which take a hit from the weather. Last nights run was short of a full loop as one bridge is still washed out from the last heavy rain. Hence the Walk, Jog, Run event to raise funds for the upkeep.

About 20 people were at the start, with only a few of them doing the shorter jog course. From the Wildcat Centre, the initial pace was rather swift, with one of the young lads speeding off. Although he soon slowed down and I found myself leading, with a triathlete visitor from Liverpool hot on my heals for the road section out towards Kingussie.

After the turnoff from the road onto the track, I was already knackered and the small rise over the railway bridge was enough set me back to second place with another set of footsteps not far behind. Immediately after the railway bridge, the track narrows to a thin woodland footpath which winds its way, following the river, crossing a couple of small streams and a patch of sandy gravel. After about a Km, the woodland gives way to pasture land with a couple of gates and stiles some longer grass to contend with. By now my legs had had enough and a stumble, which probably accounts for my now blackened toe nail set me back to third with the leader 50 yards ahead. By the time we had gone under the railway and road bridges and were ready to cross the road, the leader was probably 100 yards ahead, with second place half way between.

Over the road and past the water station onto the hillier side of the village. Initially running alongside the Calder Burn with a couple of cheeky climbs, where one of the marshals said “keep going, top of the hill turn right and then down to……… grid”. Onto the road and the leaders now had a decent lead on me and they had dropped out of sight at the top of the hill. Reaching the top, there was a trail marker post and I wasnt sure if the leaders had followed this path or carried on. Waiting a few seconds to think, the next runner caught up and he said about the cattle grid. So, we carried along the road past a heard of cattle and finally across the cattle grid before being directed up a track.

Part way up the track, the two leaders were coming down and looked rather puzzled to see us going up 🙂 So they about turned and retraced their steps to the point where a yellow arrow indicated the correct track to follow. The muddy landrover track lead out onto the open moorland sheep pasture and the four of us were now only separated by enough gap to get through the swing gates without bunching up. The final section of pasture which maybe had a great view was a bit of a boulder field, so the view would have to wait.

Finally the downhill road section, which is cutting short the washed out bridge. Rejoining the main road at the bottom of the hill, we were still closely spaced with about a Km to go till the finish. The leader was tiring and was swept up by second place and myself with 700m left to go. Towards the finish, I daren’t look back to check the competition, but was slowly closing on the leader but a bit too late, crossing the line a couple of seconds behind him.

Bizarrely, we weren’t the first ones back! The young lad who set the initial scorching pace wasnt a runner and decided that the half way point was enough. So he had a dip in the burn to cool off before hitching a ride back from the ice cream van.

Scoffing home bakes and a well needed drink of water, waiting to cheer the rest of the field home before retiring across the road for the prize giving. 1st place received a whole home-baked cake which looked rather nice. As did 1st place lady. Then there were spot prizes ranging from wine to massage balm and pens, key rings which meant that everyone went away with something.

Would I do it again? Definitely as the trails are brilliant fun to run 🙂 Although maybe not so soon after a marathon

10.96Km – 51min 00sec