Taking on the Ben: The Run Section
28th August 2019
4 Facts you need to know
- On race day you will climb a total of 1341M (4,400ft) and descend the same amount. Check out the profile here.
- You will run a total of 19.91KM (12.3 miles).
- The first and last 3.5K are on tarmac, the rest on the Ben Nevis ‘Tourist Trail’.
- According to http://ben-nevis.com/ because the track, which was created for ponies to reach the top, has a lot of zig zags, “it’s not unusually steep apart from in the initial stages, with a gradient of not more than one in five”.
Be Prepared
Get your kit bag ready in advance and make sure you’ve practiced running with a hydration vest, specific gels/nutrition, and the shoes and accessories you plan to use on the day.
As the video shows, Sean McFarlane suggests the following kit for the run section:
- Hydration vest/race vest. Try Gregory’s range.
- Hat and gloves.
- Collapseable water bottle (try Summit Eco Foldable 480ml Water Bottle).
- A ‘Buff’ headband for flexible cover up when then temperature drops.
- Poles to help you power up the steeper sections. Try brands such as Leki or Black Diamond.
- Shoes: Try inov-8’s X-Talon 212, or On’s new Cloudventure trial shoes Read Outdoor Fitness’s Will Renwick’s review here.
