In reply to DaveHK:
Some very different lines were being taken by the leaders down through Coire Nam Beith yesterday. It did make me wonder to what extent runners are supposed to stick to the red flags in skyraces, as a fair few just piled straight down the scree missing the zig zags.
Last year Jonathan Albon did ( jokingly I think) complain about this as he ran past us, and he had a point. Cutting the zigzags from the col definitely saves a minute or so, but does look pretty risky. Inevitably there will be loads of points on the course where you could do the same, but following red flags down easily-missable zigzags is a little arbitrary - and following them exactly must be even more difficult at speed. Even when I was plodding down Sgurr a' Mhaim on Saturday there were plenty of times where corner-cutting would save a little bit of time.
It was fantastic to see such talent here in Scotland, and incredible to watch the top four - who seemed in good, jokey spirits as they flew down the coire. Brilliant stuff.
D.
Post edited at 11:14