Gibbens conquers the Glencoe Skyline

A remarkable achievement from the Marshall Milton Keynes Athletic Club athlete
Sophie Gibbens Sophie Gibbens
Sophie Gibbens

Sophie Gibbens has taken seriously to mountain running in recent years and has come up with some excellent results competing in both the UK mountain scene and in Europe.

As a result she was eligible to compete in the Glencoe Skyline race in Northern Scotland which covers 52km of mountainous territory with a total climb of some 4700m, the latter is the equivalent of ascending Ben Nevis three times in just 12 hours.

It is said to be “one of the most technical in the world as the organisers give no assistance on serious scrambling sections.”

En route north she competed in a 48km race with 3500m climb in the English Lake District and then training in the Ben Nevis area and The Isle of Skye.

Entrants have to be vetted for their experience/ skills in grades 2 & 3 scrambling especially with exposed terrain. Sophie set off amongst the field of 118 starters, 49 missed the cut-off time at checkpoint 9 and had to retire.

A total of 69 finished with Sophie fifth woman in a time of 11hours 45.59 - certainly amongst the most outstanding results in the history of Marshall Milton Keynes AC.

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