I’ve been looking to do this race for a couple of years now, partly for nostalgic reasons, partly because it looked like a reasonable target for a relatively novice hill runner(this was to be my 5th hill race).
The race is held as part of the Rhynie gala. Rhynie lies at the foot of the Hill of Noth, with Tap o ‘Noth being the vitrified hill fort on the summit – at 562mtrs the second highest fort in Scotland. I first climbed The Tap as it is known locally at age 7 (my legs were even shorter then). My mum was brought up in Rhynie. She organised a lot of charitable events throughout her life, one of which was a sponsored walk up The Tap, it being a childhood stomping ground. The lower age limit was set at 8, but after much pleading I was allowed to take part, but only if accompanied by my granddad. My recollection is of frantic scrambling, head down, on all fours through the heather, interspersed with stops to catch my breath, before the next effort. I was determined to be first to the top of that hill – good trick if you want to win a race don’t tell anyone else that it is a race!
Today would be my second ascent of The Tap, different route, same head down approach (not all fours) and heavy breathing, but with no chance of winning this time.
Driving across in the pouring rain I was thinking I might have turned back if it was any other hill, but this was personal so no question of turning back. The race usually attracts a field in the 30s or low 40s (apart from the year it was a SHR championship counter) and I was fearing a low number of runners due to the weather. As it turned out there were 64 runners who started and finished the race.
Felt quite emotional on arriving in the village, but had to quickly man up, get registered and warm up. Someone got it right with the weather as the rain stopped just before, and stayed off for the duration of the race. Just before the start we were lined up at the far end of the gala field and then piped up to the start line by Dufftown Pipe Band – a nice touch that had a lump rising in my throat again. Then there was a quick brief and we were off.
The route started on the public road for about the first km mainly uphill, before turning off and climbing through a couple of fields with the field of runners already well spread out. Steep climbing followed on a well-defined path with the going soft after the recent rain and this continued up to the bealach at around 510mts. This section was boggy and heathery but fairly flat so runnable rather than power walking and it was in this section that the front runners came hurtling towards us onto their way back down. The final steep pull to the top was on a heathery path before entering the fort and the very welcome turning point with around 34 minutes elapsed. No time for any nostalgic lingering or taking in the views, which are extensive on what was by now a nice clear day. Switch off brain and hurtle back down and this is the really fun bit of hill racing which makes that uphill slog worth all the effort. Didn’t much enjoy the road section on the way back and there was a cheeky little off-road loop along a grassy and muddy path before re-entering the gala field. Fortunately I’d checked this out during my warm up – always check out the finish so you can time your final effort. 18mins after leaving the summit I reached the finish to collect a goodie bag and welcome drink.
After cooling down and changing I had a browse around the stalls, including the guess the donkey’s birthday competition (real donkey not cuddly toy). Nice cup of tea and cake then the prize giving.
The race was won by James Espie of Deeside, a young lad from Stornoway was second and I think one of the Cosmics was third. A lady from HBT was the first female, Veronique Oldham of Cosmics second and Jacqui Higginbottom of Carnethy third. There were no prizes for the old codger categories, but as is usual with hill races the entry fee was only £5 and the event is intended to raise funds for local groups in the village – www.rhynie.net
This was a well organised race which attracted some very talented hill runners from all over Scotland as well as many less talented but just as keen runners having a go. With the gala going on at the same time there is plenty to amuse other family members and I would recommend it to any Yellas thinking of having a go at hill racing. I’ll certainly be doing it again.
Report by: Linda Smith