The 30th Lochaber Marathon, on Sunday 14th April saw 3 Beverley Athletic Club runners take on the Loch side ‘out and back’ course, set in some of the most beautiful mountain and lake scenery you could run in, on the West Coast of Scotland.
It is considered by the organisers, Lochaber Athletic Club, as a fast, flat route good for a personal best but indifferent weather conditions set a tough challenge for the Beverley trio of Tina Wardropper, Andy Johnson and Lucy Stamford.
A very wet and windy overnight, calmed for the start at Fort William, and gave hopes of agreeable conditions for the race. The sun made a brief appearance an hour in but after the turn at half way, strong winds whipped up off the Loch, followed by rain, making for a harsh last 7 to 8 miles.
Consequently, the Beverley runners ran times a little slower than they had hoped for but, under the conditions, were extremely good reason to toast the impressive efforts with a fine dram or 2 of the finest Malt in the pub later!
Beverley AC times:
Andy Johnson 3:23:12 (60th overall)
Lucy Stamford 3:49:00
Tina Wardropper 4:16:36
Reported by Andy Grainger
