Those readers who like to keep a pace with the local sporting news may already have noted the results of Ochil Hill Runners recent triumphant event. As described in FotO spring newsletter, this August saw the first of a new foot race for the Ochils: the Ochils 2000.

On 25 of said month, 61 runners started the 18m run at Glen Devon, all hoping to cover the 2000ft peaks and reach the finish line in the Stirling University grounds. With no fixed route and the summits of Innerdownie, Whitewisp, Tarmangie, King’s Seat Hill, Andrew Gannel Hill, the Law, Ben Cleuch, Ben Buck, Ben Ever, Blairdennon Hill and finally Dumyat to accomplish, the race was no small feat. However, despite some difficult low-cloud navigation challenges near Blairdennon, and the trouble of choosing a bog-free route to Dumyat (the last half of the race saw runners scampering in a variety of directions!) 59 souls completed the course.

The first to arrive – and thus the champion – was Andrew Symonds of Carnegie, who came in at three hours and 31 seconds. He was followed eight minutes later by Chris Upson of Westies and Andrea Priestly at three hours, 37 minutes and 25 seconds. All 59 competitors finished in just over five hours and 30 minutes.