2016 Highland Trail (group start)

[GregMay]

No update from Andy Lawrence since 2pm, hope it is just batteries in his spot?

Probably just not reset it.

[Mariner]

Bigger beard too!

Does it somehow amalgamate at speed to give an aerodynamic advantage?

[Ben98]

Christ IanFitz has got a shift on!

[GregMay]

Ian is a fell runner - ex-climber - this section will suit him.

Also, remember he is only chirping per hour as we've had some tracking issues with his SPOT.

[slarge]

I'm loving this, Phil is now ahead of Stu ;Lee and Javi are slowing and getting caught by Ian, and Liam is holding them off barring mechanicals etc. brilliant stuff, and I hope they all hold it together to the end in 12 hours or so.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Will Rich and Shona make the chippy?

[whitestone]

Just seen a tweet from Ian Fitz that he's thinking of stopping at Camban for the night:

"http://fms.ws/XTbgq I've just arrived at this location. All is good, likely some eating/sleeping is about to happen"

Looks like Stuart is grabbing some grub at the pub, his SPOT is slightly off route.

[GregMay]

Confirmed Scratch Update: Stu Cowperthwaite is out - Achilles is toast.

[Ian]

Update from Strathcarron;

All going ok so far. Mild cankles, but dry feet on my third and last pair of socks.

Rode yesterday with Andy L from Lochinver to Ullapool, but we split on the Coffin Road decent this morning.

4am start today, after past-midnight finish "yesterday". 100km today as of now: 9pm

Trails generally good, dry. Everybody is really flying. I'm trying hard too, it just doesn't look like it

Did the whole Fisherfield Experience today under a near-cloudless sky. Stunning. Postie path is "interesting". At times brilliantly technical; others immensely frustrating and slow.

On to Dornie next

[GregMay]

Just seen a tweet from Ian Fitz that he's thinking of stopping at Camban for the night:

Look at his history for the past three days first.

Then rethink.

Then understand.

[stevenshand]

Confirmed Scratch Update: Stu Cowperthwaite is out - Achilles is toast.

bugger, so close to the end too....

[whitestone]

Just seen a tweet from Ian Fitz that he's thinking of stopping at Camban for the night:

Look at his history for the past three days first.

Then rethink.

Then understand.

Didn't say I didn't. Don't shoot the messenger

[Ian]

Confirmed Scratch Update: Stu Cowperthwaite is out - Achilles is toast.

bugger, so close to the end too....

Ouch. I can sympathise with that though, close to the end or not, it can be really incapacitating.

[stevenshand]

Oi Barrington, get off your phone and get back on yer bike! ;-)

[Ian]

Oi Barrington, get off your phone and get back on yer bike! ;-)

I'm eating!

[stevenshand]

Oi Barrington, get off your phone and get back on yer bike! ;-)

I'm eating!

Fair enough. As you were!

[GregMay]

Didn't say I didn't. Don't shoot the messenger

Dude...I am the messenger :)

Of death of course.

[Richard G]

Aww man, gutted for Stuart. :(

[adjustablewench]

Aww man, gutted for Stuart. :(

+1

[slarge]

That's bad news for Stu. Only 70 or so miles to go! Out of 550. Sterling effort, just so unfortunate

[whitestone]

That's bad news for Stu. Only 70 or so miles to go! Out of 550. Sterling effort, just so unfortunate

Gutting. To go so well and get so near.

[stevenshand]

Looks like Philip is really gaining some ground on Liam. Tonight should be interesting. Could we see the top 4 coming back together?

[Trail-rat]

Phillips at the bottom of a big hill. Liam's at the top with an vaguely exciting long descent into FA

I expect the gap will stretch back to 10-15 miles

[Chew]

Think it's going to be who can control the sleep monster.

It's a race between Liam and Philip. The gaps been constant to Javi since Liam bounced kinlochewe.
Philip looks closer than he is, due to spot updates.

[boxelder]

I'm betting Phil A will overtake Liam along the canal. Who'll hold it together to the finish though.

Edit - Unless Phil smells pizza?....

Those last miles will feel eternal - possibly 3am eternal?

https://youtu.be/LXEOESuiYcA