Coll Half-Marathon

The alarm clocks chirruped at 05:15 and we whispered out of the Oban campsite. By 06:30 we were onboard the M/V Clansman waiting to depart for Coll. The captain gave his cheery welcome over the loudspeaker and advised of 40kt winds in the Minch.

We set sail on time and proceeded past Mull. The queue for the cafeteria breakfast dissipated as we passed Tobermory. There was a lot of lycra on board.

Our arrival in Coll was heralded by a squall of driving rain and the procession of walkers/runners/cyclists looked like refugees leaving for a better land. In Arinagour Mrs AB registered for the race; we cowered in An Cridhe (the community hall) and waited for the weather to improve.

Eventually the light brightened and the many other 'athletes' started milling about without hoods-up so we took our leave and set off along the moor road to the south of the island. Our bikes were heavily loaded and with the SWesterly gale, it made progress difficult. The 5miles to the 'official' campsite were tough and them kids struggled...

Anyway, after setting up camp, Mrs AB headed back to Arinagour and the race start.

These four ladies were walking the route.