Adrgartan trail race

The Ardgartan trail race is a loop around the Loch Goil peninsula and comes early in the year and with a lot of climb.

Once parked the number pick up and registration was simple and easy enough though there was a short walk from the parking down to the hotel. This short walk seems like an all day hike once you have finished the race. A tent is set aside for bag drop, but apart from that there is nothing else to do but chat and enjoy the location. A race brief is held 15 minutes before the off which is done brilliantly by Bill who manages to put everyone at ease.

Once started you run past the hotel and back up the small road where a left hand turn going uphill feels like the real start of the race. At this point you are heading down the side of Loch Long on forest roads for about . There are some steep sections but generally it is pretty easy running. Lots of runners take the uphills at a fast walk rather than running, so no pressure.

After that first section you hit the turning point and head alongside Loch Goil and the first part of this is the technical section. Narrow paths, lots of rocks, puddles and slippy bits. Take your time and let people pass if not confident , otherwise enjoy yourself as it is the best part of the run and lasts about .

Once past this technical section you rejoin a forest road towards and past Lochgoilhead. Once past the village you are on a small country road before at you hit the steepest part of the route, going up a trail until arriving back onto forest road. This is only but is brutal so beware. A short downhill takes you to the start of the long climb to the Rest and be Thankful. This is about and takes you up about and seems to go on and on. By now you are probably getting bored of all the waterfalls you have past but take your time along the whole route to enjoy the scenery.

Once at the top you could be fooled, like we were, into thinking it is all downhill to the finish line. There is one big uphill and several smaller ones on the way to the finish, but overall it is mostly downhill on very tired legs.

As long as you are quick enough from when the race opens it is easy enough.

This is one you really have to drive to but it is close to Arrochar. Parking is easy enough thanks to the marshalls.

Outside the Ardgartan hotel

The finish line is on the grass outside the hotel.

Soup and rolls are provided and a wooden medal.

We did drive there and back on the same day, but there are several hotels in and around Arrochar.