Running
6 insider tips for the fabled Ring of Steall Skyrace
Trail runner Keri Wallace gives her tips and tricks for taking on this spectacularly lofty race
Stretching 29km across the Scottish Highlands, and 2,500m above sea level, only the hardiest of mountain goats will do business with the Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace.
One mountain runner who can attest to the course's difficulty is Keri Wallace. Having finished 23rd racing the course last year amid fog-wrapped conditions, Keri is more than familiar with its gnarly, lumpy nature. She's also a member of the UK Skyrunning Team, so knows a thing or two about racing in the mountains. Here, Keri gives us the inside track to this fabled race...
1. Don't go out too fast
The race route narrows early on as it passes from the road to the West Highland Way. Don’t be tempted to rush ahead to beat the bottleneck. There are plenty of passing places and the route soon opens out in the Coire. It is better to run your own race and lose a minute lower down than be swept along at a pace faster than you’re used to, and eventually hit the wall.
2. Don't race the descent of Sgùrr a' Mhàim
You will descend over a vertical kilometre from the summit of Sgùrr a' Mhàim to Checkpoint 3. Confident descenders will feel the urge to race downhill but this will turn your quads to jelly. Take the descent as efficiently as you can, and remember that you have the toughest climbs still ahead of you.
3. Take time to refuel properly at the aid station [Checkpoint 3]
Runners refuel before their next big climb
© Red Bull UK
In a race situation, it can be tempting to rush through the aid stations and not take on board enough energy and water. There is only one aid station on this route and you will be thankful for your refilled bottles/bladders and energy supplies once you are back up on the ridge (where there are no more burns until the descent to Kinlochleven).
4. Be mentally prepared for 'The Glen'
The 5km section of trail and tarmac up Glen Nevis (from Checkpoint 3 to the river crossing after Steall Falls) might be your lowest point – in more ways than one. The trail is all slightly uphill and leads into the day’s biggest climb. Most runners expect this to be the easy part, so it’s a real psychological blow when it proves to be an energy-sapping slog.
5. Expect technical terrain
The Ring of Steall has two main sections of hands-on scrambling (The Devil’s Ridge and the summit ridge of An Garbhanach). While the Devil’s Ridge has a fearsome reputation, it is actually pretty harmless, with a ‘chicken-run’ in most places. The scrambling on An Garbhanach, on the other hand, is easy but largely unavoidable, and you will need to be comfortable on this terrain, even with tired legs.
6. Carry and use enough layers
This course is long and exposed, so if it is wet and windy you will cool down quickly when higher up. Sometimes the adrenaline of race day can stop you noticing that you’re getting cold and this can contribute to cramp and fatigue. Make sure you keep an eye on your body temperature and use that mandatory equipment (warm layers/hat/gloves) that you have been carrying with you!
The Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace is one of four races taking place at Salomon Skyline Scotland, 19-20th September 2020. Find more information on the four-day festival here
Keri Wallace is summer ML Leader, fell/trail running guide and founder of Girls on Hills, a women’s guided trail running company in Glencoe, Scotland. This year Keri qualified for the UK Skyrunning Team and competed in the Salomon Mamores VK on Thursday 13 September.
