Social Mountain Run
- Lasts 6 hours
This session is aimed at hill runners who would like to explore some of the finest mountain running Arran has to offer in the company of like-minded people. Exact route choices on the day will be determined by the group’s ambitions and weather conditions.
It’s a social run, so the pace will permit chatting and plenty of stops to take pictures and to admire the views. As with our guided walks, the emphasis is very much on having a fun and sociable day out in the hills!
The session is facilitated by experienced trail and mountain running guide Giles Ruck, a long-standing festival volunteer who spends his summers leading for “Run the Alps” and “The Adventure Running Company”. The
assistant leader will be a local hill runner, who is very much looking forward to sharing some of their favourite routes with you!
The group will consist of a maximum of eight participants.
Overview
Distance ca. 18.5km
Highest Point Gained 859m – Caisteal Abhail
Total Ascent ca. 1020m
Session Duration 6 - 7hrs
Terrain Rough mountain paths, some steep ascents and descents, some exposure & hands-on clambering.
Technical Rating Moderate to Challenging
Endurance Rating 4
Cost £30.00
Date Sunday 18th May 2025
Meeting Time 10:00
Meeting Place Festival Hub at the Auchrannie Playbarn. Transport to the start of this run is provided from there.
Run description
The plan is to travel across the Arran mountains from north to south, being dropped off at North Glen Sannox in the morning and then heading back to the festival hub in Brodick, traversing some of Arran’s most exhilarating mountain scenery along the way. The proposed route has lots of options and can be amended depending on the conditions on the day and on the group’s ambitions. Route options might be chatted about over a cup of coffee or
tea at the hub before setting out, but there is also flexibility once out on the hill.
Starting at North Glen Sannox, the intended route climbs up Sail an Im and along a broad ridge to the Castles (Caisteal Abhail), a spectacular peak littered with imposing granite tors. From there, the lofty summit of Cir Mhor is
reached via the sweep of Hunter’s ridge, with the opportunity to replenish water supplies at a natural spring.
Descending southwards from Cir Mhor, a short steep descent from the col towards A’Chir leads into Fionn Choire, from which scenic Glen Rosa is reached. Once in the glen, the ground is gently undulating following the river towards Brodick Bay, with the option to stop at the Blue Pools to cool tired feet. Heading out of Glen Rosa along the minor path towards Brodick Country Park avoids the tarmacked road back to Brodick, following Brodick beach instead towards the hub, where complementary home baking and hot drinks beckon!
Variations on the route could include taking in one or two more of Arran’s peaks enroute to Brodick. If conditions are suitable, the route may take in a small amount of exposed ground, in the Arran Mountain Festival ‘challenging’
grade.
The pace will be sociable, probably averaging around 10-12mins/km during the day, allowing participants to get to know each other and chat all things mountain running along the way.
Free shower facilities are available at the festival hub.
Kit List
Essential clothing for mountain running sessions
· Running clothing for the conditions - could be shorts and short-sleeved running top (check the mountain weather
forecast)
· Running trainers with grip suitable for rocky trails (not road running shoes, but also not 'hill walking
shoes')
· Running pack or running vest, but with capacity to carry spares, food and water for the day
(traditional backpacks tend to swing about and cause chafing whilst running)
· Long-sleeve thermal top
· Water- and windproof running jacket
· Leggings
· Means to carry 1litre of fluids (reservoir or soft flasks)
· Food for the day (snack bars and gels are fine, so long as you can carry about 1000 calories, more if you know you will need it)
· Thin hat or buff - so long as you can cover your head
· Gloves
Also consider:
· Lightweight showerproof over-trousers (if the weather is particularly wet and cold)
· Running cap and sun cream
· Mini-gaiters (sometimes called debris-gaiters)
· Anti-chafe cream
· Hydration tablets
· Map and compass (for those keen to learn about navigation)
· GPS watch (for the data-interested)
If you have options on different clothing etc. then please bring these along and we can decide on the day which items to wear and take, e.g. on a perfect forecast we may not need leggings or over-trousers.
This walk is organised by the Arran Mountain Festival, a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation SC 052229, supported by Auchrannie Leisure Ltd.