Hi,

As most of you will be aware, The Highland Cross is described as:

a 50-mile duathlon (20 miles on foot, 30 miles on bike) traversing the spectacular Scottish Highlands coast to coast, west to east from Kintail through Glen Affric and Strathglass to Beauly.

Having hopefully completed enough training to take me through the event (which included borrowing a bike as I don't own one myself), I headed north on June 19th, with over £1100 worth of sponsorship pledges from friends and colleagues behind me. As I was working until 2030 I reached Balloan Farm just before midnight for a quick supper and chat with Iain and Jeanette

Its not every day when staying on a farm that you are up and off before the farmer and his wife are out of bed, but for the first and probably the last time I was away well before 0700 with only the family dog to see me off!

First destination was Beauly, where the race finishes. I met John Fraser, (we go back over 30 years), who is one of the main organisers and son James. John introduced me to another John (Middleton), who was running his 20th Highland Cross and was duly pictured with the first time rookie. The bike was loaded onto the lorry for transport to the changeover point at Affric Quarry and I boarded the bus for the journey west to Kintail. On the journey I enjoyed the company of Angus MacLeod from Achiltibuie, who lives near to where my paternal grandfather hailed from. Angus had run the event a number of times and I was gaining the impression that the Highland Cross pulls people back year after year to compete.

Just prior to the starting point of the race we passed my birthplace, the Kintail Lodge Hotel, before turning up to Morvich, where the race begins. The impressive logistical organisation we had experienced thus far was further enhanced by the sight of a small helicopter parked on the hillock just beside the start line. It was from just below this that a very small gentleman in a broad Invernessian accent addressed the runners as we limbered up just prior to the start. It had been raining prior to the event and although it had stopped, we all knew that on the hills there would be a fair amount of water underfoot. At one point in the race we would have to ford a stream. This gentleman advised us that 'all people under five foot(like myself), would be issued with lifebelts and those between five foot and five foot six would be issued with chest waders!' This had us all chuckling as we headed off from the start.

I was armed with only my mobile phone, a twenty pound note (in case I needed to hail a taxi) and a small collection of Buchanan's super jelly beans to supply energy. The first four miles were fairly flat over a very rough land-rover type track. After the first few puddles you soon forgot about getting your feet wet! The first water stop was at the Glenlicht House before the steep ascent up Alt Grannda. Climbing up a steep, rough walkers track, we walked up the steeper parts and ran wherever it flattened out. Total ascent was 1,083 feet including crossing a water fall, all done in single file.

By the time I had reached the Camban Bothy at the seven mile stage, I had run for 1 hour 20 mins but was feeling the strain of the climb. I was beginning to be concerned that I had blown a gaskit taking the hill and would have problems completing the rest of the course. However the next three miles meandered downhill to the halfway stage of the run at Altbeithe Point Youth Hostel and by this point I was feeling much more composed, despite running across a ford with the water up to calf level.

The second half of the run takes you along a valley floor on the north side of the River Affric along a very rough landrover-type road. I took John Fraser's excellent advice and stopped at Athnamulloch Steading (14 mile stage) for an welcome cup of tea and some fuel. At the 17 mile stage I got a great burst of energy which enabled me to finish the running part on a real high, overtaking a good number of people I had been battling with over the course. About the 18 mile stage I passed fellow team mate Ishbel, who was competing as a walker. We high-fived and encouraged each other. I completed the 20 mile run in 3 hours 15 minutes.

On arrival at Affric Quarry I was delighted to see a friendly face in James Fraser, who took me to my bike and sorted me out with tea and food. At this stage I had a real problem with cramps in the back of my legs, due to the effect of running over rough ground, especially downhill. I was getting concerned as to how I was going to be able to cycle on, but after 15 minutes got myself sorted out and duly headed off, digging deep into the last of the super jelly beans.

The sun, which had mercifully stayed hidden during the run, now came out and I decided I would just enjoy pedalling the 30 miles to Beauly. The cycle takes you through some beautiful scenery, through Cannich, Strathglass and past Erchless Castle. Not being a cyclist and having only done a few weeks training on the bike, I now have a far greater respect for cyclists, as I only passed about three people and most just whizzed past me. Each to their own discipline....

At the 46 mile stage I saw the much vaunted Aigas Brae looming in front of me. I just put my head down, dropped down the gears and managed it comfortably. I also enjoyed the company of Alan from Inverness who was nursing an injury. We cycled and chatted for a few miles before he eventually stopped to get medical treatment. (He did make it!).

Cycling into Beauly, where my grandfather John MacQueen was the local primary school headmaster (and where my late mother was brought up) was a great experience. The crowd at the village square give you a warm reception at the finishing line and it was great to be welcomed by John and Marie Fraser. After all the weeks training and effort on the day it was quite an emotional moment. The realisation that you have travelled from coast to coast under your own steam begins to sink in.

At the buffet reception I swapped adventures with fellow travellers and met up with team mate Ishbel, her sister Ruth and dad Hugh.

The 30 mile cycle had taken just over two hours. the full result was:

Time taken: 5 Hours 32 mins 9 secs
Position: 286 out of a field of 683.

Most importantly, £1315 has been raised for the four main charities:

Multiple Sclerosis Society
Skye and Lochalsh Mental Heath Association
Highland Disability Sport
Merkinch Community Centre

I'd like to thank everyone for their generosity and for general encouragement leading up to the event. Special thanks are due to the Fraser family for support on the day. To Mark (my neighbour), I am very grateful for the use of your excellent 27 gear bike, plus advice and encouragement about cycling in general which gave me great confidence for what was a trip into unknown territory.

Hope you enjoy the photos. Will I attempt the Cross again next year? Who knows? Watch this space.....

Take care

Murdo