I think the second group start was put in after a couple of abandoned group starts in May due to late snows or other weather issues. In both 2015 and 2016 there was poor weather, and while one of those years had a couple of finishers it was tough going.whitestone wrote:Are there still two group starts each year? Seems a bit odd if so.
The May group start is a really good way to prove that you’ve got fitness for the rest of the summer - assuming the weather is there. Maybe I’m superstitious but the only years I’ve finished the HT550 were those years when I finished the Cairngorms Loop a few weeks beforehand.
Personally I reckon July is ideal for it. Trails should be dry, midges are only an issue if there’s no wind, and you’ve got loads of daylight.
