Ben Nevis Race

4th September 2004
Fort William, Scotland

A small but select group of Newcastle AC athletes represented the Club at the 2004 Ben Nevis Race. With the "B" team in action on the Continent, numbers were depleted but there was enthusiasm aplenty en route to Fort William.

Four eager young ACKC runners completed the Northern Ireland contingent and it seems from the performance of Gary Bailie that their pre-race combination of Nico's fish suppers, teetotal landlady and bed by 11.00pm is the secret of success on the Ben.

Saturday 4th September 2004 dawned mild and misty; with cloud cover at around 1000 feet, nervousness was evident amongst the Race virgins. Tension increased as one grizzled Newcastle veteran regaled anyone who would listen with ever more lurid tales of 500 foot gullies, razor sharp shale and helicopter rescues.

As id tags were placed around trembling necks and the gents visited (again) Lochaber Pipe Band swept memorably into the arena for the procession to the start line and there was no way out now.

By the 2pm start the cloud had lifted to well beyond the half way point, a warm breeze blew down from Achintee and the legendary Kenny Stuart and his wife Pauline holders of the records for the Race were present to act as starters on the 20th anniversary of their so far unbeaten times. A bounty of £1000 was on offer to anyone who could better the record.

First local to cover the tarmac section to the Ben Nevis Inn was Mark Kendall in 7 minutes 6 seconds, closely pursued by Gary Bailie and Brian McBurney. As the 367 runners reached the Bridle path the ascent began in earnest as Bailie overtook Kendall and headed for the Red Burn.

Eamon McCrickard was climbing strongly just ahead of Sam Herron with David Bell and William Marks trading places twice before the river crossing. Paul Fegan was also pushing hard, a few strides ahead of Newcastle AC ladies' pin up Darren Herron.

A large crowd of spectators greeted the runners at the Red Burn with all encouragement greatly appreciated in advance of the brutal climb to follow.

Gary Bailie was the first County Down man to the 4406ft summit in 1.14 with Mark Kendall on 1.17 and Brian McBurney a further minute adrift. As they reached the turn though the Race leaders were on the descent as the mere mortals toiling upwards were rewarded by the awesome sight of Rob Jebb swathed in mist leaping yards at a time down the jagged scree. The leader was over a minute ahead of local man David Rodgers who in turn was shadowed by Ian Holmes. Jebb must surely win, no-one could descend any faster and live to tell the tale.
With Bailie now out of sight Mark Kendall led the Newcastle runners off the summit and was ahead at the top of the infamous green bank with McBurney in hot pursuit. Neither had reckoned with McCrickards sheer strength however and Eamon raced past both on the treacherous wet grass. Just beyond the Burn misfortune struck Willie Marks who injured an ankle at full speed and could only jog home.

After a tremendous 33 minute descent over completely new ground, Gary Bailie crossed the line in 1.47.06 to finish an incredible 20th overall. Eamon McCrickard left the mountain as second local runner with Mark Kendall seemingly left in the distance but silent assassin Kendall gradually closed the gap and took an astonished McCrickard from behind just 150 metres from the finish to beat his clubmate by just 8 seconds.

Other notable finishers were Paul "Kelly" Fegan who covered the final 200 metres at a blistering pace and Sam Herron who was awarded the "Livy" cup for 100th place.

Astonishingly, the news at the finish was that the overall winner was Ian Holmes who had somehow not only overtaken Rodgers but also clawed back Jebb's lead to win by over a minute.

As is customary a veil will be drawn over the post race festivities, suffice to say that Fort William for the first time witnessed not only the man who can sleep with his eyes open but also the dancing exclusion zone - you know who you are! A special thanks to the Newcastle AC committee for shower sponsorship even if you can never find a plumber when you need one.

Another successful venture with superb organisation by the Ben Nevis Race Association so in the words of the Association Chairman, "Haste ye back to 2005."

Local Results
(Summit Times unofficial)

Overall Results

Records

Kenny Stuart (1984) 1.25.34
Pauline Haworth (1984) 1.43.25