Goatfell Hill Race record smashed

The annual Goatfell Race last Saturday was one for the record books.

More than 232 runners took part in the event which saw the 23-year-old record time of 1 hour, 13 minutes and 40 seconds beaten by the first two runners.

Cutting a full minute off the time, Murray Strain of Hunters Bog Trotters completed the 15.5 kilometre route with 870 metres of ascent in 1 hour, 12 minutes and 11 seconds.

Finlay Wild of Lochaber, race winner in 2013, 2014 and 2015, finished second in 1 hour, 13 minutes and 35 seconds, which also beat the pre- vious course record. The first female to cross the line was Holly Page with a time of 1 hour, 29 minutes and 36 seconds.

Local runners

In the local men’s category, first place was won by Jon Smith, while sister Kirsty Smith took the title in the female category.

A number of local runners, representing Arran, took part in the event.

They included Andrew Walsh, Mike Mellor, Nathan Thompson, George Doubleday, Greg Paterson, Alan Murray, Claire Marriott, Karen Lindsay-Smith, Michelle Williamson and Jackie Newman. Prior to 1993, runners were free to take any route and most took a direct line from the gate in the deer fence to the summit.

A record time over this route of 1 hour, 13 minutes 13 seconds was set in 1979 by Andy Styan.

This was eventually beaten by Andy Trigg in 1992, taking two seconds off the previous best.

From 1993, the National Trust for Scotland determined the route should follow the tourist path, taking a longer but less severe route to the summit.

In 1994, Andy Peace set the record on the new course of 1 hour, 13 minutes 40 seconds. Murray Strain’s new record of 1 hour 12 minutes 11 seconds is the fastest time ever on any route.

Race organisers Shettleston Harriers presented trophies for the various age categories and thanked Arran Runners for its help with organising the event, in particular Paul Emsley.

Appreciation and thanks were also given to Arran Mountain Rescue Team which provided support on Goatfell and members of the Brodick Improvements Committee who helped marshall the route.

First female over the line Holly Page completes her race. 01_B21goatfell04

Clare Marriott and Kirstie Smith celebrate with bottles of champagne. 01_B21goatfell10

01_B21goatfell03 Finlay Wild, who finished second, is congratulated by race organiser Peter Mackie.

Andrew Walsh crosses the line, straight into the arms of wife Juliette. 01_B21goatfell06

01_B21goatfell07 Mike Mellor of Arran Runners finishes the race in under two hours.

01_B21goatfell08 First local runner Kirstie Smith makes one final effect as she crosses the finish line.