Course Details: Run along the road behind the Academy, turning left into Dollar glen once the burn is crossed, once into the wooded part of the glen turn left and take the footbridge back over the burn. Follow path and exit glen via sty, follow a rough track initially beside the fence, dropping down to cross the Burn of Sorrow via a small bridge. From here is the first steep climb of the race onto Saddle Hill to the first Checkpoint (NN 955005). From Saddle Hill the route goes along the saddle and climbs up to the second Checkpoint on the top of the broad topped Whitewisp Hill (NN 955014). From here for a while the running gets easy, but if the cloud is down the navigation gets harder. A gentle down and up gets you to the third Checkpoint Tarmangie Hill (NN 943014). From here to the next Checkpoint Andrew Gannel Hill (NN 919005) the shortest route is a bit steep and boggy. For speed everyone follows the fence line of Tarmangie, and turning left at the fence junction to follow a faint tract (not so faint for those at the back) around Skythorn Hill and up the side of Andrew Gannel. Follow the land rover track up the hill where the will be a martial directing you to the summit. Should you miss this the hills beyond are very runnable, but visiting them will do nothing for your race time. The next tricky part of the course is on the Summit of Andrew Gannel, the route turns through about 300 degrees from South to almost North East, but this being the checkpoint, as long as you listen to the martial you won't end up in Tillicoultry. Next is a fast downhill, and just when you need it the most a fairly steep 400ft climb onto Kings Seat the next checkpoint (NS 936998). You're almost home now, if it's clear you'll soon be able to see Dollar and the Finish soon, almost 2000ft below you. Follow the track off Kings Seat, turning left after you cross the gate at the bottom, then follow the track east to Bank Hill and the final checkpoint (NS 954992). From here its straight down to Dollar glen and retrace the route back through the Glen and along the road and finally through the gate to finish at the Cricket Pavilion. |