Coached Mountain Running – Advanced

Some exposure & rock clambering.

This guided running session is for hill runners who would like to push themselves a bit further and are happy moving across steep rocky terrain. It is led by ultra-runner and Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor Giles Ruck, assisted by a local hill runner, with a ratio of two leaders to a maximum of six participants.

OVERVIEW
Distance - 20km
Highest Point Gained - 859m – Caisteal Abhail
Total Ascent - 1360m
Session Duration - 6 - 7hrs
Terrain - Rough mountain paths, some steep ascents and descents, some hands-on clambering.
Technical Rating - Challenging
Endurance Rating - 4
Cost - £35
Date - Monday 20th May 2024
Meeting Time - 08:45
Meeting Place - Festival Hub at Auchrannie Resort Playbarn

RUN DESCRIPTION
This session is aimed at runners with good hill running fitness who would like to push that bit further and perhaps a bit harder than their current experience level. Whether the objective is to gain the confidence to compete in big races, tackle more technical routes or to simply run longer and further, Giles’ coaching experience will help bring those ambitions a step closer.
The plan is to traverse the Arran mountains from north to south, taking in all of Arran’s Corbetts bar Goatfell, but this may be amended depending on the conditions on the day and on the group’s ambitions. Expect to be out for about 6 – 7 hours.
Starting at North Glen Sannox, the intended route climbs up Sail an Im and the Castles (Caisteal Abhail), then follows the sweeping Hunter’s ridge to take in the lofty summit of Cir Mhor. Descending southwards, the A’Chir ridge is by-passed on its western side, before steeply ascending Beinn Tarsuinn. The ridge towards the last summit of the day, Beinn Nuis, offers great running terrain. From there the descent leads into Coire a’Bhradain, then follows the Garbh Allt into Glen Rosa. The last section is on tarmac back to the festival hub in Brodick.
The pace will be moderate, probably averaging about 6 km/hr during the day. The session will certainly aim to include more than one peak, potentially gaining 1600 metres of height in total.
If conditions are suitable the route will include a small amount of exposed ground, in the Arran Mountain Festival ‘challenging’ grade.
Throughout the day, coaching will be given on running and scrambling techniques and a variety of mountain running topics will be covered whilst out on the trails, such as route choice and safety, navigation, nutrition and hydration, mountain running objectives and races.

This walk is organised by the Arran Mountain Festival, a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation SC 052229, supported by Auchrannie Leisure Ltd.