Four Fast Friends

The determined team tackling the challenging Moray Way 100 Relay

- FIONA RUSSELL

IT'S a warm afternoon as I take up my starting position in Lossiemouth - to my right is a long, wide beach and the sun dazzles on the waters of the Moray Firth.

It would be nice to pop into one of several ice cream shops, but that's not why I'm visiting this popular coastal town in Moray Speyside.

There, running towards me along the esplanade, is my friend Claire. After a quick hug, she hands me a GPS tracker - and urges me to run away.

It's now my turn to take up the baton as part of a 161-kilometre (100 mile) running challenge and I cross a footbridge, head into grassy dunes and then strike out along the sand towards the village of Garmouth.

It's not easy running on the beach and the more compact sand closest to the lapping sea offers the best surface - but I end up with wet feet, even while trying to dodge the waves.

After a couple of kilometres, sand gives way to ankle-turning shingle before the incoming tide pushes me inland and over a high ridge of pebbles to reach a narrow path that winds through a carpet of dry, short grass. While the heat rises in the sheltered hollow between dunes and woodland, the terrain is much easier to run on and I'm able to relax and stretch out my stride.

At a wooden waymarker, the arrow points me south. The path leads to a wide, dusty track then on to a tarmac road and, after an hour of solo running, I'm delighted to see Claire again, as well as two more friends, Cath and Kate, waiting for me at the next checkpoint.

It's now my turn to hand the tracker to Cath - and tell her to get going! The aim of our four-person team - Fi's Flanci Fillies - is to complete the Moray Way 100 Relay.