Athletics is virtually back on track in Lochaber
Lochaber Athletics Club is gearing up for a competitive month with the launch of their summer league having taken place on Monday (June 29), writes Fiona Scott.
A schedule of eight runs has been devised for the month of July with members and non members being invited to take part in one, some or all of them. Once each run is complete competitors will record their times either with a club official, or on the social networking site Strava.
The league kicked off with a virtual Triple Hirple, which competitors have until Sunday, July 5, to complete. Those outwith the area will be able to compete by completing hills of similar height and race distance.
The Virtual LAC Summer League was the brainchild of Helen Smith who herself has just completed a West Highland Way virtual challenge, clocking up 95 miles in the space of a week.
Helen told us: ‘We have a winter league which club members really enjoy so even before coronavirus swept the country we had already spoken about getting a summer league up and running.
‘It became very clear during lockdown that athletes were losing some of their momentum and were not going out as much as they didn’t really have anything to aim for, so we decided to adapt the idea of a league to become virtual in an attempt to give a bit more focus and enjoyment to the running.’
The main aims of the league are fun, exercise, challenge and competition. Runs must take place during the allocated week, with runs recorded earlier or later being discounted.
Athletes are being asked to keep within the current Scottish Government guidelines. Anyone wishing to participate who does not live near to Fort William can join in by using a roughly equivalent run near to where they live.
To take part, simply complete the runs listed below, and time yourself. Then text/ Facebook message/WhatsApp (07515 696385) or email your run time to Helen Smith, helen@leap.scot, during the appropriate week.
Week 1 (June 29-July 5): Melantee, Half Ben Nevis, Cow Hill (from swimming pool).
Week 2 (July 6-July 12): 5k – Nevis Range Park Run route; 5k – Swimming Pool, anti-clockwise Peat Track, down lumpy-bumpy.
Week 3 (July 13-July 19): 10k – Reverse park run, North Face car park, over bridge, turn left, Sandy’s Brae, Puggy Line end, Nevis Range; 10k – Vitrified Fort and back, from Braveheart car park. Week 4 (July 20-July 26): Half Marathon – Claggan Park to Steall Falls car park and back.
Although many of the runs are deemed to be excessive for junior runners, parents are being invited to send in 5k times so that the younger athletes can join in too.
For more information or to sign up just join the LAC Summer League Facebook or Strava page.