Fancy A Dirty Weekend?
Is getting off Tarmac and onto dirt trails your thing? Do you enjoy the challenge of a bit of mud and a few natural obstacles too? If so, then hill running might be right up your alley - or up your glen! One of the most fun ways to have a go at the completely bonkers sport of hill racing is to visit Scotland during the summer months and join in one of the many hill races that form part of a Highland Games programme of events. The races are open to ‘all-comers’ so visitors from all over the world can line up on the start-line next to seasoned club runners - and those who thought it sounded like a good idea in the pub the night before!
What is a hill race?
Unlike road races, where standard distances such as 10k or half-marathon are used, no such standardisation exists in hill running events. Hill races are categorised according to the distance being run, the amount of climbing involved, and the type of terrain covered. Even trying to compare your race times from one year to the next becomes pointless when you take into consideration the number of potential variables - depth of mud, height of heather, width of bogs!
Categories of race
A hill race is a race run on fell, hill or mountain terrain and is categorised as follows:
Category ‘A’
- Climb not less than 76m (250 feet) per 1.6km (1 mile)
- No more than 20% of race distance on road
- Total distance at least 1.6km (1 mile)
Category ‘B’
- Climb not less than 38m (125 feet) per 1.6km (1 mile)
- No more than 30% of race distance on road
Category ‘C’
- Climb not less than 30.4m (100 feet) per 1.6km (1 mile)
- No more than 40% of race distance on road
- Must contain some genuine fell terrain
Race Lengths
- A long race is 19.3km (12 miles) or more in length
- A medium race is 9.6km (6 miles) or over but less than 19.3km (12 miles)
- A short race is less than 9.6km (6 miles)
Is hill racing just for the super fit?
Generally speaking, anyone can take part in the hill races held at Highland Games but it’s always advisable to try a few shorter distance events before attempting the longer distance races. It’s fair to say that even an ‘easy’ hill race is likely to feel far more challenging than any road race you’ve ever taken part in - especially if you find the average gradient of a motorway flyover a bit steep!
What kit do I need?
In 2003, new regulations were put in place by the Fell Runners Association, governing body of the sport in the UK, making it mandatory for all competitors in Category ‘A’, long or medium distances races, to carry waterproof whole body cover, map, compass, whistle, and emergency food: navigational skills are also a pre-requisite of entry!
However, in the majority of shorter distance races, competitors can be seen wearing everything from skimpy Lycra all-in-ones to kilts - anything goes! But, if you want to spend more time on your feet than you do on your bum, you’ll need a pair of specialist fell running shoes.
Hill running studs have virtually no cushioning, they’re close fitting and designed to keep your foot low to the ground. This reduces the potential for going over on your ankles on rough ground or of your shoes actually being sucked off in a bog. But, it’s worth noting that the highly functional design makes them wholly unsuitable for running any great distance on hard ground unless multiple shin splints are your aim!
Want to know more?
You will find details of all the coming season’s Highland Games across Scotland at www.albagames.co.uk
Further information on hill running in Scotland can be found at www.shr.uk.com
