It rained during the night and in the morning so I stayed in my tent [in the Glen Nevis campground] until 10. It was clearing with occasional sunny spells so started the ascent of Ben Nevis at 11.15. Felt quite fit, great to walk without the burden of my pack.

Of course I wasn’t the only one heading up. A lot of army and Rescue Association people taking stretchers up. Didn’t know why until later.

It was completely misted over at the top [at 1,345m the highest mountain in the British Isles] and very cold, around zero degrees. Braved a few snow flurries while eating. Had taken 2 and a half hours.

Twenty minutes down I saw this huge group of people approaching. Turned out to be runners, this was the day of the annual ‘Ben Nevis Race’. The leaders were incredibly fit running up the scree slope. I had to get out of the way of most.

Ben Nevis Race, 6 September 1986, Scotland

Couldn’t believe it when the leader came hurtling down shortly after. [The winner that year finished in 1.25.48 – the second fastest time on record dating back to 1951].

Ben Nevis Race, 6 September 1986, Scotland

According to the race records from the Ben Nevis Race website http://www.bennevisrace.co.uk/?page_id=11 number 247 was Albert Sunter from the Horwich RMI Harriers Club who finished in 60th place in 1.43.06.

The steepness and loose rocks made it very dangerous – saw some falls and some guys covered in blood. Took a few photos of it all.

Ben Nevis Race, 6 September 1986, Scotland

If you look closely you can see the runners coming down the muddy ridge-line.

Inspired, I came down pretty quickly.