The 2025 Arran Mountain Festival programme will be published soon, with booking lines opening later this year. Take a look at the 2024 programme for an idea of what will be on offer, and sign up to our mailing list to be alerted to booking lines opening.


Coached mountain running – intermediate

Some exposure & rock clambering. This session is aimed at runners with some mountain running experience. The day is led by ultra-runner and Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor Giles Ruck, assisted by a local hill runner. Find out more about Giles here.

 | Overview

Distance
16km

Highest Point Gained
874m - Goatfell

Total Ascent
920m

Walk Duration
5.5hrs

Terrain
Some rough mountain paths, steep ascents and descents, some hands-on rock clambering.

Technical Rating
Moderate  
Easy scrambling, elements of exposure, some rough terrain.

Endurance Rating
4  
Participants must be able to travel up to 20km at a pace of about 4 km/hr.

Cost
£25

Date
Sunday 19 May 2024

Meeting Time
9.30am

Meeting Place

Cladach (exact location will be confirmed upon booking).


 | Photo Gallery

 | Run description

This session is for runners with some experience of the mountains, but who want to push that bit further and perhaps a bit harder than their current experience level.

The plan is to run the eastern half of the Glen Rosa horseshoe (Saddle – North Goatfell – Goatfell), but this may change depending on the conditions on the day and on the group’s ambitions. Expect to be out for about 5 – 6 hours. The pace will be moderate, probably averaging about 6 km/hr during the day.

There will be some clambering over rocky ground, in the Mountain Festival “moderate” grade, so expect a little exposure, but no difficult scrambling ground. Steep ascents will be hiked rather than run.

A variety of mountain running topics will be covered whilst out on the trail, including route choice and safety, navigation, nutrition and hydration, mountain running objectives and races.


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.



The 2025 Arran Mountain Festival programme will be published soon, with booking lines opening later this year. Take a look at the 2024 programme for an idea of what will be on offer, and sign up to our mailing list to be alerted to booking lines opening.