Course Details

CAIRNGORM MOUNTAIN RUN, SATURDAY 9TH AUGUST 2008

Entry

Download an entry form from the ‘Entry Form’ section of the website. Entries close on Saturday 6th August. Please also read the ‘Race Rules’ section for guidance on age limits.

How tough is the course?

Running uphill is certainly a challenge! It is a very popular sport in the Alps where it is known as ‘Berglauf’ and also the fastest growing sport in Norway. People are drawn to that challenge and also the pleasure of running in a pollution free, spectacular mountain environment. And when the going gets tough, you are allowed to walk!

We estimate that the winning time for the junior run will be around 20 minutes (and WMRT junior men trial 40mins). The senior run for the men should be around your flat 10k race time + 70% and for the women your 10k flat time + 50%. If you’ve no idea what your flat 10k race time would be, the winner should take just over 50mins so work it out from there!

The going is generally good underfoot, mainly on well surfaced gravel paths, with a few of the steeper sections on secure boulder ‘made’ paths (a bit like running up steps). There are two short downhill sections in the senior men’s route and one in the senior women’s route. All the routes will be marked and marshaled.

Registration

Pick up your race number from the T-Bar at Cairngorm Mountain, adjacent to the Coire Cas Car Park (follow signs on the day). Registration opens at 10am on race day and closes 30mins before the start of the race.

Those wishing to use the funicular railway to descend the mountain after the race should purchase a ticket before the start (and carry it safely in your bumbag!). Details on how to purchase a ticket will be available at registration. The upper station is a 1.1km walk/jog back down the hill from the finish.

To the Start…

The start of the race is near the Hayfield in Glenmore (GR 980091). It is the responsibility of runners to make their own transport arrangements for getting to the start. It takes approximately 5 minutes to drive down to the start from registration, 10 minutes to cycle and 20 minutes to jog. An hourly bus service leaves the Coire Cas Car Park at 40 minutes past the hour (space may be limited).

The races start at the following times…

12.00 Junior Cairngorm Mountain Run

12.15 WMRT Junior Men Trial Race

13.00 Cairngorm Mountain Run

Please gather at the race starts 10 minutes before the start time for final instructions.

To the Top!…

Maps of the race routes can be found in the ‘Course Maps’ section of the website. All races start near the Hayfield in Glenmore (see signs to the start from the Hayfield).

Junior Cairngorm Mountain Run (3.6k, 300m climb)

The junior race proceeds up a track adjacent to the ski road to the first road crossing after 500m. On crossing the road, the route goes through the woods and across a bridge to join the Allt Mhor Trail. The trail is followed steadily uphill, re-crossing the ski road and steepening as it emerges from the woods. The gradient relents once out onto the moor before finally kicking up towards the finish in the lower Coire Cas Car Park.

WMRT Junior Men Trial Race (6.9k, 790m climb)

Starting 15 minutes after the Junior Race, the WMRT Junior Men Trial route follows the same route as the junior race up to the Coire Cas Car Park. The route then proceeds up through Coire Cas to finish at the Upper Funicular Station.

Cairngorm Mountain Run (Men – 10.5k, 1010m climb Women – 8.0k, 950m climb)

The men’s and women’s Cairngorm Mountain Run will start at the same time and place near the Hayfield. The routes have been carefully planned so the leading man and woman should run roughly the same time, a real race to the top!. There will be a special prize for the first finisher overall.

The only difference in the two routes is at the start. The men run a 3km route south of Loch Morlich to the first road crossing. The women take the same route as the juniors up a path adjacent to the ski road, reaching the road crossing after only 500m.

From there the same route as the juniors is followed up the Allt Mhor Trail, through the Coire Cas Car Park and up the tracks through Coire Cas to the Upper Funicular Station. The finish on the summit is only another 1.1kms up the Marquis Well Path.

Once at the finish, catch your breath and take time to take in one of the finest panoramas in Scotland (hopefully it’ll be clear!).

Follow the race route back down to the upper station. Those who have bought a funicular ticket can jump on a train down the hill. For the others there’s a 3k downhill jog to the Coire Cas Car Park.

Refreshments and Prizes

Race entry includes post-race refreshments at the T-Bar. The prize giving will also take place at the T-Bar. There will be prizes for juniors, seniors and veterans.

World Mountain Trophy Trial

We are very pleased to announce that this years Cairngorm Mountain Run will host the Scottish selection event for the World Mountain Running Trophy. See the ‘World Trophy Trial’ section of the website for further details.

Results

Will be posted on the race website asap after the race.