Newtonmore: Highland Games 5th August 2017 – Creag Dhubh Hill Race

 Map of the Newtonmore Hill Race up towards Creag Dhubh to An Torr

One of the highlights of Newtonmore's Highland Games is the Creag Dhubh hill race from the Eilan, Newtonmore's shinty ground up to the An Torr peak and back down. The clear winner was 44-year-old Phil Mowbray in 32.01, which was the slowest time for many years. Mowbray came in 17th last year, his only previous run in this race. However, his time (31.43) was faster than his winning time this year.

2017 only attracted 76 runners compared to 154 in 2016. This was the smallest field since 2008 when there were 67 runners. Stuart Malcolm (321) was second in 33.11. He is a Creag Dhubh regular – having run in 2015, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006. 8th is his previous best placing – 2015 and 2010.  

Fourth overall was Tessa Strain, who was the first woman in a time of 34.44. This is the fourth fastest time for the winning woman since 2006. Impressively it was Strain's first recorded Scottish hill run. She crossed the river, on the way back in fifth place, but overtook Robbie Cant on the run in.  

 

They're off with eventual 1st (341 - Phil Mowbray) 

and 2nd (321) already leading

 (above and below)

Initial circuit of the Shinty Field 

before heading up the hill  

Heading out to the mountain 

 The winner (Phil Mowbray 341) headed out of the river on his return
(above and below)

341 Mowbray on his way to the Shinty Field and the finish

321 finished in second place but well behind the winner 

Tessa Strain (454) was the fastest woman coming in 4th overall 

Strain overtakes Robbie Cant (357) on run in to finish 

Newtonmore's Highland Games 2013: 3rd August includes hill race

Pipe band marches through Newtonmore (above and below)

There was tight security@the games (above and below)

 You're for the high jump!

Have your fortune told by Madame Suzaner Young

 

Throwing the hammer – winding up

Letting go

 Colin Bailey, MC

Hill runners setting off – they complete one lap of the games field 

before tackling the hill. Calum Morris Macintyre in orange top (pic- CRM)

 Hill run: the eventual winner heads for the hill

Closely pursued...

Calum Morris Macintyre (orange) heading out

The hill (An Torr) – a thin line of runners can be seen in the centre of photo 
 

The winner nearly on the home straight

Runners crossing the main road to Laggan (above and below)

 

245 and 122  heading home

Calum Morris Macintyre jumps over the Laggan road barrier

 Calum about to cross the river again

.. and now heading to the finish line (above and below)

Calum Morris Macintyre finishing (pic-CRM)
He finished around 35th out of some 84 who started


Calum relieved to have finished (pic CRM)

One of a number of pipers playing during the afternoon

 No 63: winner of the hill race immediately entered the 1500 metre race

Judges@work above and below