Marathon man’s race against time after heart attack airlift - Health - Scotsman.com

Marathon man’s race against time after heart attack airlift - Health - Scotsman.com

The Scotsman

I was asked to do a PR event for Scottish Ambulance Service last week here is the write up in the Scotsman Newspaper.. See the above..

Glen Ogle 33

The 5th November 2011 saw the 1st running of the Glen Ogle 33.

After the great success of the Glenmore 24, Mike and I pressed on with our plans to hold a one day event, we had reccied the route many weeks before and decided the race was a goer. Now all the hard work would begin, notify the Police, arrange sponsors, get locals on side etc.

We had thought at this time of year we would get maybe 30 to 50 hardy ultra runners to come out and brave what could be a cold Scottish day.. But never did we expect 150 entries. The route was to follow the National Cycle Route No7,starting at Strathyre following the road round to Balquidder and on to Kinghouse before going off road before following the old railway line up Glen Ogle and over the famous Glen Ogle Viaduct which can be seen as you travel along the A85.

Crossing the road at the top of the glen before taking in a loop of the forest and then the return trip back down the glen and back to Strathyre to the finish...With numbers growing to 100 a new start would be need on safety grounds as having a 100 runners on the B class road was not an option.. And with that another reccie was required to find a new safer start for the race.. The new start would take place on part of the Rob Roy Way a 5min walk from the original start in the picnic area, not long after numbers would peak at 150,which Mike and I were flattered by.. All that was left was to put on a race for all to enjoy..


The new start was confirmed but would affect our overall distance but safety comes first...
An early start was needed (4.30am) on race day to set up registration and put out last of the signs at 6.30am registration opened and runners began to arrive and Strathyre was busy with runners getting ready, Many who we know from Glenmore24 and from races Mike and I had taken part in but no time to chat...With a quick briefing to each of the checkpoint teams they set off for their station with a spring in their steps.. It was still only 7am.

At 7.45am runners began to move across the road and up the hill to the new start, with everyone gathered I carried out the uncomfortable task of race briefing(am not a big public speaker) and with all the gray stuff said we were under starters orders and with a blow of the whistle we were off...


The first 1.5mile was uphill and with the chilly start and mist rolling over the hills the runners would warm up quickly... Paul Raistrick and Gareth Mayze setting the early pace with Lucy Colquhon also shown strong running in the early stages, it wouldn’t be long till they would reach the first checkpoint/water station.... Over the next 50mins all runners would be all off road and heading up the glen and over the viaduct. The sun was now out and warming up the early morning air with runners now approaching checkpoint 2 with a group of 6 or 7 forcing the pace but Paul and Gareth still out front. There was also steady running from Rebecca Johnson taking part in her first ultra as second women at the top of the glen and round the forest.


Now most runners were reaching the top of glen for their loop of the forest only to find that Paul, Gareth, Lucy making the return trip down the glen... Some confusion with a sign in the forest caused 12 runners to go the wrong way.. But most.. that had any doubt checked their race map and carried on..(We accept the sign could cause confusion and will ensure all signage is double checked for next year race..)



With all runners heading back down the glen to checkpoint 4 word filters through that Paul Raistrick finishes in 1st place 3hr.21mins with Gareth Mayze in 2nd place and Lucy Colquhon takes 1st place in the women’s race with Rebecca Johnson 2nd. Checkpoint 2/3 is cleared and we move down to Checkpoint 4 to see Ray MaCurdy, Fiona Rennie and Karen Donoghue all come through, with a few runners still to pass through the last checkpoint we head to the finish area.

The sweeper calls in to say that the last 2 runners have past the last checkpoint and Jim Drummond and Jim McIntyre(Jim been our oldest runner at 74?) are running in together and just after 3pm the 2 Jims cross the bouncy bridge and finish in the picnic area in 7hrs.25mins.

Well done to everyone who took part in the Glen Ogle 33. Thank you for given the race all your support, Congratulations to Lucy Colquhon, Rebecca Johnson, Kathy Henly, Paul Raistrick, Gareth Mayze and Craig Reid our prize winners on the day..

Thank to our sponsor Sweatshop, The Inn, 9Bar and Elet Water.

Thanks to all the marshals who gave up there day to help out.

We accept we have somethings to improve on for next year and we will ensure this happens.

Once again Thanks

Bill and Mike.

Brecon Beacon 2011

On the 19th November 2011 I will take part in my first Ultra since my helicopter ride at this years Highland Fling Race... Training hard in hope I complete the 46 mile... This will be my 3rd Brecons Race and it will be great to meet up with some old friends.

Glen Ogle 33

Just over a week to Glen Ogle 33 and we have 142 entries.... Over the moon with the level of interest in this wee race...

Glen Ogle 33

On the 5th November 2011 will see the first running of GO33 starting at Strathyre and heading to Killin and back taken in the Glen Ogle Viaduct..

Glenmore 24

On the 3rd September 2011 the first running of the Glenmore 24 took place at Glenmore, Nr Aviemore.
The race concept is to complete as many laps of a 4mile loops in 12 & 24hrs.
The race was limited to 80 runners so to allow any problems to be ironed out.

In the end 48 entered, 9 postponed to 2012, 12 DNS left us 27 starters...
The race started at 12 lunch on the Saturday with some very able ultra runners
Mimi Anderson, Ross Morefoot and Jerone Remes from Holland.. in the 24hr class
and Bob Steel, Colin Hutt, Antonia Johnson from New Zealand in the 12hrs class

All of the above set a good early pace all completing 20mile in under 4hrs. All other runners were going well all with there own goals or targets.

The weather was mixed to start but turned in to a warm sunny day with 8.30hrs on the clock we had our first drop out with Bob Steel finding the mental battle of going round the same route to much.. he drop out clocking up 44mile...

Next to drop out was Colin Hutt who was having a storming race with 56mile on the clock pulled up with cramp which is a sign mismanagement of food and fluids. Colin was assessed by lead medic Dr Andrew Murray and sent to hospital as precaution.

The race was continuing with all this drama and with sun setting the temperature began to drop as the night set in. The sky cleared and the stars shawn bright.

At midnight the 12hr race finished with 3 women taking the 1st 3 spots with Antonia Johnson taken 1st place having raked up 72miles.

The temperature continued to drop and its believed it fell to -1 runners had now dawned gloves/hats and full body cover due to the cold..
But they still managed to keep their spirits high and churn out the laps... with tired lags and tired minds.. Some runners took time out for a sleep and around 4am only 12 runners remained on the course....

As the sun came up runners began to filter back on to the course and overnight Paul Houston drop out... not returning from his comfy tent... With less than 6hrs to go in
the 24hrs class some runners had gone through the 100mile mark and were still going strong... In the end we would have 7 runners getting over the magic 100mile marker and some impressive individual battles including that of Graham Bristowe who on 2 or 3 occasion's looked down and out.

But it was still all going on at the sharp end with Jerone, Ross and Mimi all pushing hard... In the end Jerone took the honours completing 124mile, Ross 116mile, Mimi 112miles

In its first year the Glenmore24 has provide to be a very well received race with all runners saying they really enjoyed the event and would most differently return next year...

I would just like to thank all the marshals, med team, Redcross without them the event wouldnt have been held...

For further info on the race check out Glenmore24.com
See you all 2012.