As hundreds prepare for this weekend’s 50-mile Highland Cross,
Val Sweeney meets some of its unsung heroes
Ian Thomson competitor
AS THE shotgun fires the start of the Highland Cross on Saturday morning, 77-year-old Iain Thomson will be anticipating an annual ritual further on in the course. A welcome glass of single malt whisky will be awaiting the Lentran author as he takes a breather at the Struy watering point on the cycling section.
"When they see me coming round the corner, they start pouring it" said Mr Thomson, who insists the whisky is a vital element to enable him to tackle the next stage of the route — the climb up Aigas Braes.
"It is a really bad brae and I need that kind of propulsion to fire me to the top!" he laughed.
Mr Thomson’s tactic of taking a wee dram half-way around the course may be a little unorthodox, but his philosophy symbolises the spirit of the event. Each year thousands of pounds are raised for charities and the event fosters a real sense of camaraderie.
For besides top-class runners and cyclists who compete to finish in phenomenally-fast times, it also attracts a wide variety of athletic abilities from joggers to walkers who see it as a personal challenge.
Mr Thomson, who is undoubtedly one of the event’s characters, was first persuaded to take part over a drink with one of the organisers and is now looking forward to his 10th race.
As a former shepherd, he recalls the times when few people used to venture high into the glens before the Highland Cross was dreamt up.
"Now, on these occasions, it is full of about 700 people — I am usually at the back. When I get to the top of the bealach, I look down and see a long line of folk strung out in front of me in all kinds of outfits."
He finds the last six miles of the walking section along the forest track by Loch Affric particularly tough. "They call it ‘The Yellow Brick Road’. Everyone complains about it. It is pebbley. I don’t know whether it is because you are changing from a hill path to a semi-road but it is really hard especially for my feet."
He also admits the changeover to his bike — "a standard roadster with a cross bar, two wheels and a few gears" — can be challenging.
This year, his fellow team members are William Dick, a Cambridge-based consultant with The World Bank, and his son, Jamie Dick, a student at St Andrew’s University.
Mr Thomson will be happy if he crosses the finishing line by about 5.30pm — eight-and-a-half hours after the start — after which he will catch up with other participants and volunteers over a pint or two in Beauly.
"The people in Beauly support it 100 per cent," he said. "I really admire the competitors and walkers.
I really the admire the people who turn out year after year to make the event work."
Phil Platt the first-time runner
Endurance challenges always carry the risk of injury — and the Highland Cross is no exception.
PDG Helicopters, which has a base at Inverness Airport, has donated the use of a helicopter and pilot for the "flying doctor" service from the very beginning.
Regarded as a vital component of the safety system, it means all medical emergencies on the foot section of the course can be accessed rapidly and handled without cost to public services.
Chief executive Jerry Frances explained that the helicopter bases itself between the race start point and the bike changeover
in Glen Affric.
"There are always casualties," he said. "We get slips and falls — and the wetter the weather, the more likelihood of them. There are also issues with warm weather because of dehydration. There are challenges every year."
Although the cost of this is a big commitment, the company is delighted to be involved — both in the air and on the ground as they enter a company team each year.
Mr Frances has run in the event five times. "The sense of accomplishment in completing the course is addictive," he reflected. "But after the walk, getting on the bike can be a problem! "
This year, aircraft engineer Phil Platt, has been persuaded to take part in his first Highland Cross. As part of his preparations, the 31-year-old plans to have a Chinese meal, of king prawns and egg fried rice, the night before — a strategy which worked when for the recent Nairnshire Challenge.
"I was asked if I would take part and thought I would give it a go," said Mr Platt, who lives with wife, Nina, and four-year-old daughter, Hannah, at Auldearn.
Company chairman Timothy Laing also competes separately as a member of the Affric Rats, which has raised more than £150,000 since 1988 — making it the top fund-raising team of all time.
Uisdean MacLennan
AS the walkers and runners cross the hills from Kintail to Glen Affric, they are followed by a team of sweep marshalls to ensure nobody is left behind.
Uisdean MacLennan (54), who organises the four-person team, explained that the sweep marshalls are part of a much bigger safety net.
"The Highland Cross treats safety extremely highly," he
said. "We have never lost anyone. We have called in assistance on some occasions
to take people off the hill, but we have never left anyone behind."
Mr MacLennan’s wife, Sandra, meanwhile, organises the count of participants as they pass the remote Altbeith Youth Hostel at the very top of Glen Affric to ensure everyone is accounted for over the first 10 miles on the foot section.
It involves a 6am start, a drive in a 4x4 vehicle to the top of Glen Affric followed by a six mile walk to the hostel. Mr MacLennan, a former Inverness area manager for Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service, has also competed five times in the event, including taking part in the very first one.
"There was a lot of anticipation and uncertainty
at the beginning, but also excitement," he recalled.
"I don’t think anyone considered it would be going
for this length of time. It is a fantastic achievement."
John & Lillian Gordon
Later this week, John and Lilian Gordon will take delivery of a portable toilet block which will be installed in their garden.
Their home, in Strathglass, lies on the cycling section between Glen Affric and Beauly and is a handy toilet stop.
"We have quite a big garden so it doesn’t bother anyone," Mrs Gordon explained. "But until a few years ago, there were no loos."
The couple’s support for the event does not stop at hosting a convenience for the weekend. Since its inception, they have organised a water point outside their home – they also provide sandwiches, flasks of tea and coffee – and, of course, Iain Thomson gets his glass of malt.
The Gordons, both in their 70s, have always been enthusiastic supporters of the event.
"We’ve got to recognise a lot of people over the years and wave and shout to them," said Mrs Gordon, a retired teacher. "Before cycle helmets were compulsory, we could recognise people very quickly – with these modern ones we only recognise people once they’ve passed."
Why do they support it? "In a rural area we know how difficult
it can be for services to be financed," Mrs Gordon replied. "The money goes to charitable causes in the Highlands , so most people here will benefit in some way. It’s also an enjoyable day – we look forward to it."
