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BEN LOMOND

            3.6 miles        974 metres

Start                              Thursday      18.55
FINISH - Ben Lomond                       19.42

Time:     Estimated   1.30      Actual   0.47

Dave writes:

We tear into the car park, Ed jumps out and starts to run. I still have the baton and have to catch him, but stiff legs restrict my speed and he hangs back, I hand over just above the car park, Ed disappears from sight. I try to run but eventually give up and walk, clearing the crest I see Ian high up, moving fast. Ed and John wait for me and we walk slowly up, chatting, unusual to have company, or breath with which to chat. Higher still we meet Rob and Ian, then finally on the ridge we are rewarded with superb views to the north, the Crianlarich hills and beyond all lit by a low evening sunlight. At the summit we pause, success, the whole team together. Pippa, Colin and Tony Lancaster the only witnesses to the end. The sun comes out briefly, a champagne cork flies down the north side, we grow cold and head down, at last we can relax, rest, eat and sleep.

Eddie:

I gave all that I'd got through the forest – knowing that I was only racing to the moor, I was moving considerably faster than I do in the race up this hill – in fact I was never tempted to walk a step although I did feel extremely tired. Somehow, having had a mostly painless run in the morning, my knees seemed to have seized and every step was agony. The ensuing walk up the hill was slow enough to enjoy, the pace and the company being both a weird and wonderful feeling. Descending proved to be sheer torture, and I was left with a legacy of 7 weeks not running. But I wouldn't have missed the relay for the World.

John writes:

Oh, no, here comes Ed, off with clothes and sprint up – can see where Ian is, thankfully not far off as legs, lungs and all the rest have had enough, thank goodness it's not too steep. The view from the top is breathtaking – a private show organised just for the team: The strong, low light seems to pick out every little knoll for miles and miles, right out to the islands and way, way inland. It's as though all 277 hills are finally revealed to us; with exhaustion mixing with elation the whole thing seems worthwhile.

Ian writes:

I grab the baton off John and give my all on the steep section only to come to a stile realising this should have been the changeover point … lucky John. I speed past Tony L. only too look back desperately realising he is keeping up with me … illusion or reality … difficult to tell in this crazy relay. The hill climbs but I seem to have got stuck in a time warp. At last with legs set to dissolve in a rubbery heap and lungs set to explode I reach the plateau only to find a crazy reporter taking pictures. He grabs the baton crying out “You're not John” in astonished amazement and exchanges his camera which is expertly lunged at me.

Rob writes:

Ian races towards me going strongly and catches me out as I was expecting John. I set off too fast and gasp my way to Alwyn. It's not far but is all I can manage. We are together for the first time at the top. Great views and champagne too. What a swell finish that was!

Alwyn writes:

I am still walking into position when Rob comes haring up the track, gasping and groaning with all-out effort. I take over and go hard for the foot of the final climb, where Tony waits. As I approach, Tony shouts “Is this for real?” “You bet it is!” I reply.

Tony writes:

Alwyn passed the baton with his last dying gasp. I set off at a sprint with a wa hoo! And raised the medallion above my head with my right hand. The last leg of the last leg. I felt fit and fast – for about 100 yards until I hit the zigzags. On all fours I take a direct line to reach the summit crest, picking up a discarded drinks can on the way. Onward to the trig. point. Pippa catches on film the moment I touch it and collapse in a heap. I look at my watch – 19.42.

Minutes later the rest of the team arrive and , for the first and only time the runners are together.

Peaks done   277     time taken   12 days 17 hours 8 minutes     to go   0

That evening, the unity achieved on the summit was already breaking up. Rob was forced to disappear for a while on publicity business and Tony disappeared with his friend Tony Lancaster to bag another peak. Doug Gillon, having managed to find his way out of the forest, dropped in with a sack of beer cans for us, but after supper, most went down to the pub. I was too knackered and fell asleep. (I had also realised that sleeping space would be limited, so effectively booked mine.)

The morning involved a massive sort out in the rain in Drymen car park. The mountains of uneaten food were divided between us, and clothes lost from day 1 mysteriously reappeared. Pippa and I sneaked away to the off-license to but appreciation presents for our most tireless support – Diana and Colin, and then soon after midday, we split up to resume our normal lives, apart from me. My employers had not sacked me for taking time off – they merely made me redundant.

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