The Race the Train event in Aviemore, signalled the culmination of my 5k x 50 day challenge.
It was a nice day so the family decided to join me for the trip.
Once registered it was all aboard the steam train for the journey to Boat of Garten- the price of the train fare included in the race entry fee of £13. It was nice to ride the Steam Train to the start of the race.
Everyone gathered on the football pitch for the start. The whistle blew and everyone charged across the playing field towards a small gap in the fence. A bit quick for my liking but I didn’t want to get held up in a bottle neck. Once through the gap the route consisted of decent forest tracks and footpaths criss – crossing the railway.
The route weaved through the undulating countryside for about 7 k. Conditions were also good with a cool light breeze.
I established a comfortable pace and started trying to pick off the runners in front to start moving up the field. With about 1 k to go I caught up with a group of three runners. There were a couple of short sharp inclines before we turned onto our first bit of tarmac with the finish line in sight about 400 m ahead.
Feeling good I managed to pull away crossing the line in 29.53.
The train with some very over excited passengers (my kids) lumbered past a few minutes later. I was greeted with a medal and a tunnocks tea cake amongst other things. There was also a decent goody bag and a free half pint of Cairngorm brewery beer for every competitor. As it turned out, I had managed to come 5th overall out of 183 runners.
A great event that was well organised and fun for all. As it turned, over the fifty days of running I clocked up 445 k so when I got home I went out for a 5k run to round up tally to 450k.
One happy runner!
Report by Ed Dunbar