Cort-Ma Law Hill Race 2025
Wednesday 19 June
Two Harriers took to the start line of this year’s Cort-Ma Law Hill Race, a tough, midweek, boggy adventure winding through the tops of the Campsie Fells above the quiet village of Clachan of Campsie. The callout came after a tough track session, led by coach Stevie Trainer, and only John Logan took the bait, fresh from a strong showing at the Cornalees Hill Race the previous Saturday.
The 10k race opens with a thigh-burning 800ft climb to Crichton’s Cairn within the first km before easing into a steadier rise towards the summit of Cort-Ma Law. At this point, Logan was hot on the heels of McCall, pushing the seasoned hill runner to his limits. The mile stretch between Cort-Ma Law and Lecket Hill looks like lovely running but in reality, it’s a minefield of hidden knee-deep bogs waiting to suck you in. McCall reached the Lecket cairn in 14th place, eyes fixed on a pack ahead. Logan, meanwhile, found himself in a duel with host club Westerland’s runners and set his sights on catching the race’s leading woman.
From the high point at Lecket, the route dives into the valley providing an unpredictable mix of tussocky grass, deep bogs, and river crossings. McCall seized the first real descent to close the gap on a group of eight ahead. But that was short-lived, as the group regained momentum on the scrambly climb back toward Crichton’s Cairn. Logan, unfazed by the treacherous conditions, surged past runner after runner on the descent, showing real form and fearlessness. He nearly caught Emily McNicol of Law & District, (Scottish Universities Champion) but couldn’t quite match her power on the final climb.
The descent to the finish is a brutal, technical drop that can make or break a runner’s day. Sensing the end was near, McCall kicked early, passing two runners to finish in 9th place (for the second time!) shaving 43 seconds off his course PB. Not far behind, Logan continued to charge, closing rapidly on those ahead to cross the line in a superb debut time of 55:15, landing him 15th overall, well under the hour on one of the toughest 10ks around.
The race attracted some of Scotland’s best, including Half Marathon Champion Fraser Stewart (8th), former internationalist and Scottish Champion Kenny Richmond (5th), and University Champion McNicol (16th, 1st female). The win went to Shettleston’s Ryad Chebbout, in blistering form, smashing Joe Symonds’ long-standing course record by more than 30 seconds. Symonds himself lined up this year, finishing 13th just weeks after setting a new world record with brother Andy, climbing the height of Everest on Winder Hill in memory of their father, renowned fell runner Hugh Symonds.
Results:
Andy McCall – 9th, 52:17
John Logan – 15th, 55:15