2016 Highland Trail (group start)

[slarge]

They still have 60 miles to either hold off or close a 10 minute gap. It's nothing - a quick stop for a bite of food, a puncture, anything. Do you think they know how close they are? No front light for Phil, no rear light for Liam?

[Richard G]

I think I'd have my front light on super bright. I'M COMING FOR YOU.

[JohnClimber]

I guess that Liam will ride through the night to win this one.

[boxelder]

Good to see Phil Fraser Thomson is on course to finish this time - luck not with him last year.

[Chew]

Liam's stopped so Philips in the lead out of Ft William.

Fitz is also going through up to third passing Javi and Lee as they snooze. Not far off Liam either to it'll be interesting to see if Fitz passes before he wakes and then can hold on........

[jay91]

There only 3 miles apart at the moment . ian f up but not moving yet?

[slarge]

They stopped for a sleep! What's going on? Maybe only an hour, but it's all going on at the front

[Zippy]

Oooh, this is exciting. We have no idea what's happening at the front with the spot delay on tracking! There's a good chance they may have finished before I get to work....

Looks like everyone is on the move though, we should have a few finishers today.

[jay91]

Ian f just passed LC whiles she's asleep. Will he get past Liam ?

Edit her spot must of jumped? Looks there having breakfast

[whitestone]

Just seen a tweet from Ian Fitz that he's thinking of stopping at Camban for the night:

Look at his history for the past three days first.

Then rethink.

Then understand.

Greg:

I misunderstood you. I thought you meant look at his Trackleaders history. Ian had just appeared as a suggestion for me to follow on Twitter so that was the first tweet that appeared a few minutes later until I saw another couple of near identical tweets this morning it didn't twig that it was his SPOT OK message. Apologies.

[whitestone]

Looks like Liam didn't reset his SPOT for a while this morning (or it missed a couple of hours' connections) - not snoozing in FW but just four miles behind Phil. Lee also on the move. Need to wait for Ian to do his manual update to figure out his position.

[GregMay]

Confirming Thomas Borst as a scratch - old knee injury

[GregMay]

Greg:
I misunderstood you. I thought you meant look at his Trackleaders history. Ian had just appeared as a suggestion for me to follow on Twitter so that was the first tweet that appeared a few minutes later until I saw another couple of near identical tweets this morning it didn't twig that it was his SPOT OK message. Apologies.

No issues, I'm the one who's asked him to chirp his SPOT each hour - otherwise he goes invisible and we can't track him back at HighlandTrailTowers (my kitchen). One of the joys of being the commentator.

[jameso]

Great race among the front group.. looks like Ianfitz has something in the tank at the end, has pulled toward the front well overnight.

[Matt]

Very close this

[GregMay]

Great race among the front group.. looks like Ianfitz has something in the tank at the end, has pulled toward the front well overnight.

I'm thinking Ian is using all that BGR conditioning to pull this out of the bag. Really hope this works, he's been riding well in the lead up, this would be great for him.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Looks like 2 races in one at the pointy end. I can't see Ian F troubling Liam and Philip but 3rd could be on the cards ... I imagine he'll put up a good show up and over the Devil's Staircase.

[Trail-rat]

liam and philip riding together or at least in sight of each other .... .

liams last spot update 2 minutes ago - phils 8.

[NewRetroTom]

Liam and Philip must be pretty much riding together approaching the top of the Devil's Staircase. From the Spots it looks like Lee is about an hour behind with Ian a few minutes further back.

[GregMay]

Liam and Philip must be pretty much riding together approaching the top of the Devil's Staircase. From the Spots it looks like Lee is about an hour behind with Ian a few minutes further back.

I wonder how far out they will leave it before some one slowly attacks - Bridge of Orchy?

[jameso]

I imagine he'll put up a good show up and over the Devls Staircase.

Is that a HAB section? I see Ian has fell-running history, expect that's a real bonus in the HTR.

[GregMay]

I imagine he'll put up a good show up and over the Devls Staircase.

Is that a HAB section? I see Ian has fell-running history, expect that's a real bonus in the HTR.

Depends how strong you are - it is rideable up from Kinlochleven....but after what he has done. Descent is most excellent though.

[drjon]

james: not always, but it is steep and in places rocky. if you have 500 miles under the belt id be walking for sure. maybe trudging. or crawling. ~

there have been some q's re trail conditions. in general, id say they are stellar. the weather has been superb and i dont think you'd ever see a better few days to get this monster done.

its been fascinating to follow...

[jameso]

Looks like the weather's been amazing. Look forward to seeing the pics over the next week or 2. There's not much to top that area on a nice day.

[Trail-rat]

fwiw spots just logged at the right time

0.1 miles seperates them over 4 minutes..... for me thats riding together once you take into account /GPS inaccuracies

i wonder if they will finish together from here after the last 500 miles fighting or fight to the death.


scratch that .... liams out in front again by 5 minutes. .