Home International hits the home of mountain biking
This year’s UKA Mountain Running Senior Home International arrives in Scotland in September at Aonach Mor, Fort William. The location for this year’s race is special, visiting the spiritual home of downhill MTBing and location of the annual UCI World Cup Downhill races…
Full event release:
Scotland hosts 2010 UKA Mountain Running Senior Home International at Aonach Mor on 18th September
The northern slopes of Aonach Mor mountain near Fort William (Scotland) will see the top mountain runners from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales battle it out for honours in the inaugural UK Athletics Mountain Running Senior Home International. The Aonach Mor Mountain Run is a continental style uphill only race from the bottom Nevis Range Gondola Station (100m) to the finish at 850m high up on the ski slopes of the mountain.
The Nevis Range Gondola Station
The 6.4km route starts off relatively tamely, climbing at a gentle gradient for 2.5kms on the lower forests trails, before hitting the infamous Nevis Range World Cup Downhill Mountain Bike track. Runners will be tackling this as the main climb up to the Upper Gondola Station, a very challenging route of varying gradient and terrain. This middle section of the route is also the main route used for the New Year and Off Beat Bikes Aonach Mor uphill races organized by the local Lochaber Athletics Club. From the Upper Gondola Station the route takes to the Nevis Range ski slopes for a final sustained climb to the finish.
The Aonach Mor Hill race takes place in January
The national teams will comprise five seniors and two under 23s for the men and four seniors and two under 23s for the women with individual and team medals at stake.
The race also incorporates the 4th and final race in the McCain Mountain Running Challenge. The current challenge leaders Gareth Raven (Sale) and Olivia Walwyn (Altrincham) will be looking to defend their positions, and it’s still all to play for in the men’s competition, with seven athletes within range of equaling or overhauling Raven in the final race, though only Victoria Wilkinson (Bingley), winner of the first two challenge races, is capable of overhauling Walwyn. Current McCain standings
With McCain sponsored cash prizes available for the top five male and female individuals in the Aonach Mor Mountain Run and the top five male and female individuals in the overall McCain series, along with the Senior Home International competition, a strong field and tough competition is expected. The races should be exciting to watch with easy access available onto the hill via the Nevis range Gondolas.
The Aonach Mor Mountain Run is an open event, and the organizers welcome runners of all abilities to take on the challenge of a continental style uphill race. You can pre-enter, or enter on the day here. With further event details and a course map here
