This session is aimed at road or trail runners who would like to venture into the mountains. It’s suitable for runners of all abilities with reasonable hillwalking fitness – steep uphill sections will be hiked. Being an introductory session, there will be plenty of stops to chat technique and kit, 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.
The group will consist of a maximum of eight participants.
| Overview
Cladach (exact location will be confirmed upon booking).
| Photo Gallery
| Run description
Whilst the plan is to head up Goatfell, the route may be amended depending on the conditions on the day and on the group’s ambitions. Despite largely being an “out and back” route, it offers plenty of different terrain of varying steepness to learn about running techniques, with the added thrill of scaling the island’s highest peak without the heavy walking boots and rucksack!
Participants can expect to be out for 4 – 5 hours, longer if perfect weather means there are more stops to take in the views. The pace will be modest to moderate, probably averaging about 15mins/km moving pace during the day (about twice the typical hillwalking pace, once in this terrain). Most importantly, the group will stick together, and no-one will be left behind.
Expect a total of around 880 metres of height gain (and descent) during the outing, but steep sections will be hiked rather than run on the ascents. There will be some clambering over rocky ground, within the Arran Mountain Festival ‘moderate’ grade.
The session includes advice to help equip aspiring mountain runners with the necessary knowledge, such as clothing and route choices, simple navigation, nutrition and hydration as well as coaching on hill running techniques.
Post-run complementary home baking and hot drinks are available at the festival hub, where there are also free shower facilities.
Route Profile
| Advised 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’ll 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)
- 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 if you’re 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 overtrousers.