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.