Clyde Stride 40 Mile Ultramarathon and Relay 2012

Elly, Krista and Laurie, Relay Leg 1 runners, at the start

Russell, Jennifer and Gillian, Relay Leg 2 runners, ready at Checkpoint 1

Krista and Elly arrive at Checkpoint 1

Garmin handover from Krista to Russell at Checkpoint 1

Some of the undergrowth on Leg 2

Garmin tutorial at Checkpoint 2

Patiently waiting, mostly, for runners to arrive at Checkpoint 2

Mike, Andrew and Murdo, Relay Leg 4 runners, ready at Checkpoint 3

Jo arrives at Checkpoint 3

Rachel arrives at Checkpoint 3

Fi arrives at Checkpoint 3

Jo, Fi and Rachel, Relay Leg 3 runners, at Checkpoint 3, after their leg

Phil completing the full 40 miles

Murdo finishes, first ERN team home

Mike finishes, second ERN team home

Andrew finishes, third ERN team home

Murdo, Gillian, Elly and Rachel, Team 'ERN a Tiramisu'

Krista, Jo and Mike, Team 'ERN a Cheesecake', (minus Russell)

Jennifer, Laurie, Fi and Andrew, Team 'ERN a Gateaux'

All three teams, plus 'Team Phil'

Gillian said : I did the second leg of the Clyde Stride, the leg that seems to have a bad rep! It’s known for being the hilliest, but don’t let that put you off, there are hills but nothing too onerous (well, one steep hill but we can cope with that!). The terrain was initially challenging due to how overgrown the trail was it was really narrow track through grass and plants right up to chest-height, although perhaps it was only as wild due to the recent weather. Then more fields and woods, with the Clyde always alongside. I ran for a long spell with a guy doing his first ultra, chatty company always helps and he had luckily recce’d the route and helped us stay on track – it is maybe the worst leg for getting lost, twice I thought Jennifer was ahead when she popped up beside me saying she’d got lost! All in all a lovely leg and not to be discounted because of it’s unfairly gained bad rep! All in all a good day too, I’d been a bit worried it was going to be a bit boring with lots of hanging about, but the time goes by quickly as you move between checkpoints and wait for your team-mates to come in. Well done to Elly for all the planning & logistics. A grand day out!