The Ben Nevis Race

[gafrymynydd]

Dont know anything about the race or the course!!
What shoes do runneres wear on this??
is it like snowdon with a debate on road/trail/fell shoes??

Looking forward to it now :-)

Thanks.

[scott baistow 93]

Dont know anything about the race or the course!!
What shoes do runneres wear on this??
is it like snowdon with a debate on road/trail/fell shoes??

Looking forward to it now :-)

Thanks.

Defiantly no debating..Fell shoes are a definite even if there is a mile of road at the start and finish. Iv never done Snowdon but have done the Ben route and it looks alot more technical and steeper than Snowdon.

[FarFromTheFells]

Defiantly no debating..Fell shoes are a definite even if there is a mile of road at the start and finish. Iv never done Snowdon but have done the Ben route and it looks alot more technical and steeper than Snowdon.

Nice one Scott, I was gonna ask the same question - I've run down part of the route after various mountaineering epics on the Ben and remember it as being very rocky.

So my only remaining question is - Mudclaws or beaten up Walshes ? I figure the Mudclaws would get mullered by all the tarmac / rock, whereas my beaten up Walshes with less than perfect studs would fare better and give me sojme grip on any grassy/muddy sections - is that a fair assumption ?

[emmilou]

Nice one Scott, I was gonna ask the same question - I've run down part of the route after various mountaineering epics on the Ben and remember it as being very rocky.

So my only remaining question is - Mudclaws or beaten up Walshes ? I figure the Mudclaws would get mullered by all the tarmac / rock, whereas my beaten up Walshes with less than perfect studs would fare better and give me sojme grip on any grassy/muddy sections - is that a fair assumption ?

If the grass is wet you'll slide down regardless! I'd go for the more studs the better - I've a pair of Mudclaw 272's that I've hardly worn since getting them on the basis I wanted them to be as new as possible for the Ben! Yes they will be trashed at the end of it but not really because of the road section just by virtue of running up and down that great big mountain - can't wait!

[IWCharters]

If the grass is wet you'll slide down regardless! I'd go for the more studs the better - I've a pair of Mudclaw 272's that I've hardly worn since getting them on the basis I wanted them to be as new as possible for the Ben! Yes they will be trashed at the end of it but not really because of the road section just by virtue of running up and down that great big mountain - can't wait!

Emma is right; if you start with trashed shoes you'll end with a trashed bum!

[Rob Furness]

I'm thinking of doing the Ben at some point but if I'm honest I'm a bit scared of it. It's an awful long climb and will be a miserable descent if I bonk before I hit the top. I will do it though, this and borrowdale are my two long term goals.

[FarFromTheFells]

Thanks for the shoe advice folks - much appreciated. I just wish I'd had an opportunity to properly recce the route itself rather than relying on relatively distant memories of doing the mountain in big boots...!

Looking forward to it all the same

[RichK]

I had a little climb up this week after picking up MrsK from the end of a west highland way run.

It was the first time I've actually seen anything at the top. Clear skies, lovely. All the rubbish on the top, not so lovely.

Very excited about the race now.

We took the full walkers route and didn't cut off any of the zig-zags so not a proper reccy. I'd forgotten how grim the straight up route is.

Having said that Rob, if I can do this race, being terrified of heights and generally a big namby, I think anyone can. You'll be fine.

[Mike T]

Best map for this - to carry for the race?

[Kepi Blanc]

You dont need a map man, straight up and down innit.