Still time to enter Glen Rosa Horseshoe Race

Local hill runner, Dave Freeman, started the race in 1989. He wanted to create an Arran hill race with minimal tarmac which challenged competitors to navigate around Glen Rosa, taking in four of the peaks flanking the glen in a clockwise loop.

The race fell by the wayside in 2015 but was resurrected last year by Kirstie Smith of Arran Runners and Arran Mountain Rescue Team (AMRT).

AMRT will man checkpoints at various locations on the hill. Runners must not only visit these, but they also need to reach them before a series of timed cut-offs. The route is unmarked and runners need to navigate their own way round the course, much of which has no established paths.

The challenging route starts at the Rangers Centre field, thereafter runners head up the north side of Glen Rosa burn, crossing at the Blue Pools bridge, then up onto Beinn a Chliabhain once through the deer fence. After the first summit ridge, runners head straight down into Coire Daingean, contouring under A’Chir to the coll southwest of Cir Mhor, and then up Cir Mhor and back down to the same coll. From there its downhill, losing as little height as possible, round to the saddle. The route then goes up the ridge to North Goatfell before bypassing Stacach ridge, reaching the summit of Goatfell and heading back down to the Ranger Centre on the path.

Trophies will be awarded for first male and female runner, and first male and female local runner. Medals will be given to second and third placed male and female overall, and the first male and female veterans in three categories: over 40, over 50 and over 60. There is also a prize for the first team of three back. Prizes are all sponsored by local outdoor shop, Arran Active.

Last year, veteran Finlay Wild of Lochaber Athletic Club set a new course record of two hours, 16 minutes and 10 seconds, two minutes and ten seconds faster than his previous record from 2012, and 15 minutes faster than his nearest rival, Philip Vokes of Highland Hill Runners.

Local champion was Mark Bentley, who crossed the line after three hours, 51 minutes and three seconds, with Mike Mellor hot on his heels. Corinna Goeckeritz was the local lady champion finishing in a time of four hours, 25 minutes and 20 seconds.

Last year, runners had six hours in which to complete the course. There were 81 finishers, including all of the local entrants.