I'm sure the Ben would have looked majestic – if I could have seen it through the rain clouds. The pre-race announcement informed us of 25mph winds and a wind chill of minus 3 at the top with visibility down to 50ft at 2000ft. `It can only get better' I thought - was I wrong! The race began with a lap of Fort William FC Park, then a mile on the road before you start the climb up to the top. The first part is on a stony path which is fairly uneven, but having done the half Ben Nevis race earlier this year I knew the shortcuts and managed to pass a few people ahead of me. Then it's a combination of run – walk - crawl- run - walk until you eventually get to The Red Burn which is not far from the halfway point. Everything from then on was new to me. I was told beforehand that the second half was tougher -and it was. Climbing up scree, trying to follow people ahead of me, the wind blowing the rain into my face making it difficult to see – remind me why do we do this again? After 20mins of this I came back onto a path and it felt good to start running again. Got to the top in 1hr 14 mins and handed over my tag to the marshal. Now for the scary bit - a 4400ft decent. Running down the scree, rocks banging into my ankles, I had a few stumbles but managed to stay on my feet. Got back down to the turnaround for the half - here you don't go down the path you came up - instead you cut down the grassy bank. First fall of the day, got up - left knee sore but not too bad. Cut across the Red Burn and back onto the path. Second fall - this one was a bit worse - cut down my right thigh. Not far from the road now and this was the bit I was really dreading. My legs turned to jelly at this point when I did the half. Same again this time. It was a long, long mile on the road then a final lap round the football park. Finished in a time or 1hr 57.06 coming in 65th out of 464- I'd been told that anything under 2 hours would be pretty good going. Had a quick check round my body to see the damage, cuts on both ankles and thighs, and a slightly swollen left knee but apart from that not too bad. Rob Jebb of Bingley Harriers was first with a time of 1.32.33 with Manuela Miro of Catalonia the first woman in 1.56.46. A fantastic race (and some fantastic cakes at the end) and despite the best efforts of the weather, the falls and the many cuts and bruises I can't wait for next years race. Fingers crossed I get in!