Helensburgh games hill race
The Helensburgh games hill race route is a trail run within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. The loop covers a distance of 8.3 Kms ( 5.16 miles )
and has an elevation gain of 357 m ( 1171 feet )
.
Length
8.3 Kms
Elevation
357 m
Max elevation
355 m
Difficulty
****
Rating
****
Main road
0 Kms
Country road
0 Kms
Dirt road
0.2 Kms
Dirt path
0 Kms
Trail
8.1 Kms
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Description
So this is a tough old hill race with the classic format of all up, a bit of flat on the top, then all downhill. There is a very small chance of a car on the dirt road section but apart from that it is mainly well maintained trail. The section after you reach the top of the 3 Lochs way and a gate, is open ground and can be very hard going when wet.
Once you leave the games arena you are almost straight into woods and on trail. There are lots of marshals about which is just as well as there are loads of paths heading in all directions. Initially the incline is easy enough but it does get steeper pretty quick.
Just over the
1 Kms
there is a set of stairs down to a small wooden bridge and then back up again. These steps will test your legs on the way back.From this point you are on a dirt road and the climb starts to get steeper before reaching a trail again and after a short distance the route becomes flatter for a while. It is going to get worse though. After you cross over the small burn a left turn takes you onto the 3 Lochs way and a long steep climb to the gate.
Once at the gate you head over open ground to the top of the hill for
1.5 Kms
which is tough going and brutal when it is wet. You have a small fence to climb over before reaching the top and turning round and heading back the way you came.A tough but very rewarding run.
Getting in
Just turn up on the day and head over to the athletics field. The local running club HAAC have a tent where you sign up for the event.
Getting there
Helensburgh is easy to get to with good train links from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fort William and Oban. The highland games are about
1.5 Kms
away from the centre of town.Start
The race starts from the main field hosting the athletics event.
End
Back at the start
Finish
Finish is back at the start where there are lots of food wagons available to help you refuel.
Staying
Helensburgh has few small hotels that tend to be very busy. Also a lot of Air b and b, so if are thinking of staying then book early.
Details last updated in September 2023.
Cost
TBC
When
Early June
Entry Opens
On race day at HAAC tent
Web site
Race size
50 About 20 to 30 on the day
Last ran by us
2024
Route images
