Devil o’ The Highlands 2011

Congratulations to Phil Humphries on his brilliant performance in the “Devil”. This is a 43 Mile footrace which begins at Tyndrum (Perthshire) and finishes in Fort William (Highlands). Each competitor has 12 hours to complete the course which follows the latter part of the “West Highland Way”. Phil finished 27th (12th in category) in a time of 07:26:15 – superb effort.

Phil said: “Not the longest ultra-marathon I’ve run, but certainly one of the toughest. It wasn’t just the number of long climbs, but the unrelenting hard rocky surface – I lost count of the number of stumbles and rocks I clipped on the descents, but fortunately still managed to stay upright – just about! The race started at 6am in the morning to cloudy skies, no wind and clouds of midges. I ran through to Glencoe (about 18 miles) in just over 2:30 hours, and feeling good, but probably a bit too fast as once the sun came and it started to get hot I really started to slow up on the big rocky up-hill-down-hill sections. Still slowing down gave me chance to look around and gaze at all the awesome views. I’ve walked these hills of Glencoe and the Mamores many a time, but still feel awestruck by the site of Buchaille Etive Mor etc. My support crew (Elly, Ellie and Oz) were great, offering me encouragement at each checkpoint and re-fuelling me with all the weird stuff I eat and drink on these big runs (mint flavour liquorice, coconut water, tinned boiled potatoes etc.). Oz found time to have a dart up and down some of the hills himself, confusing runners and supporters alike (I’m sure he’s got an ultra in him). After finally climbing the last pass my sanity started to return (I stopped muttering to myself that every rock and stone was out to get me!). I was glad to be able to descend into Glen Nevis and run the last few miles on an even surface, and knowing I could probably get home in under 7:30 the thought spurred me on to a fast finish, but I was pretty shattered by the time I finally got over the line. After an ice lolly for recovery, a quick shower and plate of pasta it was off to the pub with the support crew for a couple of well-earned pints and watch the rugby before prize-giving. On the whole a well organised, very scenic, very long and very humply race, but highly recommended if you are into that kind of thing.”

Photos: (courtesy of Phil, “Duchess” and David Hall)