THE CAPE WRATH CHALLENGES

2007 Results

Race photographs taken by the Cape Wrath Challenge photographer Kevin Arrowsmith are available online www.kevinarrowsmith.com

Pupils go on the run at Cape Wrath

MORE than 200 people entered the three-mile beach run last Thursday which was part of the successful Cape Wrath Challenge week of events. Primary school pupils from all the north-west Sutherland schools were amongst those taking part.

The run was designed to finish with a barbecue on the beach, but the good weather which had been enjoyed all week broke on the Thursday evening, so the event had to be held in the village hall instead.

That also marked the start of the poor conditions which continued into Saturday and forced organisers to switch the popular marathon run across the Kyle of Durness to Cape Wrath to another route because of safety concerns in crossing the Kyle.

Adverse weather gives Cape Wrath team a Challenge

Published: 25 May, 2007
THE organisers of the week-long series of running events involved in the Cape Wrath Challenge had their own challenge last Saturday when the grand finale – the marathon run to Cape Wrath across the Kyle of Durness – had to be abandoned because of poor weather.
One of the attractions of the whole week of events is the final day and the 26.2-mile marathon to the most northwesterly point on mainland Britain and back to the village, which includes a passenger ferry crossing over the Kyle of Durness. The organisers believe that this makes the event unique and many competitors arrive only for the final day.
The logistics of arranging this part of the event involves ensuring that every competitor is taken to their start point and timing is accurately recorded with the ferry crossing time removed from the runner's time. Race logs have to be kept signed by timekeepers and marshals who all work in accord to ensure that every runner is safely returned. Team entries have carefully calculated the time that each member can run confidently within their ability. All the pre-race arrangements are in place prior to the day, leaving only the recording of times and looking after the runners to be concentrated upon on the day.

This year, though, it was the organisers who faced a major test on the morning of the marathon. Always aware that the safety of all involved is paramount, the weather conditions have to be within parameters that allow safe crossing on the passenger ferry. On Saturday morning it was declared that to take 200 people to Cape Wrath for a running event was unsafe. A contingency had to be arranged.

The 2007 Cape Wrath Challenge has started with the first running events, a half marathon and 10K last Monday. With clear blue skies the runners were engrossed in the stunning scenery as they ran back to Durness from the appropriate starting points east of the village, running round Loch Eriboll through Laid and beside Ceannabeinne beach before arriving back in Durness. As unpredictable as many times emphasised some runners were caught in a heavy rain shower while others had no experience of the change. The sixth year of the Challenges has kept a similar format as previous years with the alteration of only the half marathon route between the west and east of the village. Tuesday’s hill run was run in similar conditions taking runners along old peat tracks into the hills before returning back to finish at the village hall. A week of running with a short and long option each day is combined with a programme of social events all cumulating with e the Challenge marathon on the final day. A 26.2 mile run to Britain’s most north westerly point Cape Wrath and back to the village. The social events have been diversified this year and on Sunday the runners for the week were warmly welcomed at a wine and cheese reception inn the village hall. On Monday night the Sango Sands Oasis hosted the pub quiz were teams competed their general knowledge and once again “the Barbie’s”- the Sango’s own team won the shield. Quizmaster Graham Bruce, chairman of the Cape Wrath challenges, with his able assistant Katy Lee shaped the questions and tried to ensure all played by the rules. This year has seen an increasing numbers participating in the event and team entries reached their limit for the marathon on Saturday (tomorrow). A full report and set of results will be available next week.

Runners assemble for the start of the hill race on Tuesday

inner of the 2007 cape Wrath Challenge Hill Run number 93 MEIKLE, Alaistair 00:30:57

Helen Johnstone and

Alaistair

MEIKLE,

First man and lady in the Wrath Challenge Highland Year of Culture run

The week had started off perfectly, and four days of running had passed without a hitch because the weather had been kind. On Thursday evening, however, the beach barbecue, prepared to raise funds for the Kinlochbervie High School minibus appeal, had to be moved from Balnakeil to the village hall because the weather was turning, and this was a sign of things to come. All the details in place for the marathon had to be abandoned and a route run in past years as a half marathon had to be used, ensuring that all involved ran the distance they had selected on entry. The whole event had to be run on the mainland and the trip to Cape Wrath removed from the event. Competitors were understandably disappointed but none disputed that safety was paramount.

To add to the disappointing news, race director Lucy Mackay reported that she had been affected by a stomach bug, which had been causing some of the runners trouble during the week, and was unable to participate in organising the event. All the organising volunteers involved pulled together and set a marathon course, delaying the start only by a couple of hours. Full marathon runners ran 13.1 miles out of the village, starting and finishing at the village hall and running out on the A838 single track road towards Rhiconich and back. This was a gruelling and challenging path, running into the wind and uphill most of the way. Those running various legs were driven to their respective starting points and were set off back to finish at the village hall. They were slightly more fortunate as the wind was on their backs. This is the sixth year of the challenges and the first that a contingency had to be used. Even under these demanding and tough conditions, the first runner, 34-year-old Paul Raistrick of Highland Hill Runners, from Kincraig, was home in under three hours and this was his first marathon. First woman home was Laura Sarkis.

There were entries over the week from those who have never missed a Cape Wrath Challenge and they have been spreading the word which has resulted in many new faces taking part. Team entries were filled two months ago.For the first time there was a past Olympic runner, Bruce Tulloh, who is probably most famous for the fact that he ran barefoot in many of his races, although this was not always the case, and he said that his decision to wear shoes or not depended "entirely on the track". He wore shoes for the challenge. On 11 July, 1959, he won his first British AAA title over three miles in 13 min 31.2 sec. On 2 July, 1960, he set a new UK three-mile record of 13 min 17.2 sec, but in common with many of his team-mates, he was unable to acclimatise to the severe heat in Rome during the 1960 Olympic Games, and was eliminated in his heat of the 5000m. Bruce lost his UK three-mile record to Gordon Pirie in July 1961, but he regained it the next month, setting a new mark of 13 min 12.0 sec. In 1966, he set a UK six-mile record of 27 min 23.8 sec and the next month finished sixth in the 10,000m at the European Championships in Budapest in a personal best time of 28 min 50.4 sec.

Paul Raistrick, who was the first man home in the Cape Wrath Challenge marathon.

At the Cape Wrath Challenge Bruce ran in a team of five with sponsors Campbell Lutyens and came second, beaten by the Aberdeen Metro girls by 55 seconds.

Wendy MacKinnon, 42, of Dingwall, was one of 10 runners who competed in the Antarctic Ice Marathon and a marathon in the Arctic in temperatures as low as 40C.

She says: "The Cape Wrath Challenge marathon has to be the third toughest after those two and I experienced a major challenge with great fun." Wendy will be off to the Amazon soon for a forest challenge.

Owen McGhee (68), who has Motor Neurone Disease, walked half the marathon with two friends and the director of the Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association. Owen sets himself challenges and requested that he be able to participate in the Cape Wrath Challenges.The Adventure Show (BBC Scotland) was covering Owen's participation in the event. The link between the nature of the marathon and Owen's battle against MND is something which fits well with the ethos of the programme and the Challenge. The Adventure Show reports monthly on Scotland's fast-growing adventure scene and the lifestyles that go with it.

The Cape Wrath Challenges introduced on Wednesday of the week an 8.4-mile run across track, road and moor as part of the Year of Highland Culture. Much interest was shown and ideas for future social activities were gained.The social programme was designed to introduce visitors to some of the culture of the area, with sheepdog trials and a farm visit, clay pigeon shooting; descriptive local walks, Scottish Country dancing and abseiling being some of the pursuits available. First man in the Year of Highland Culture run was Alistair Meikle in 53:16 and first lady was Helen Johnson, 1:02:32 This year saw a rise in numbers participating for both the week and the final day, with many fast and highly able athletes. Several were booking accommodation for 2008 before leaving Durness and some entries were completed. This event is showing a great deal of potential. Organisers expect that there will have to be limitations on numbers for a variety of reasons but are being encouraged by those participating to keep the friendly and personal approach and retain testing running courses with competitiveness for all levels. The week is rounded off with a buffet dinner dance presented as the final night ceilidh where prizes are presented for the marathon events. With local food produce on offer and local musicians playing, this was the social highlight. This year, presentations were made by challenge president Richard Haldane MBE. At the dinner, all the sponsors gave commitment to continuing with the sponsorship for 2008, Campbell Lutyens, Richard Haldane MBE, John Walker and Middle Beat Fishing. Local sponsorship is an integral element and thanks are extended to all local business and individuals who gave generously.

Without a great deal of dedication from an army of people this event and all that it includes would not be possible and the organisers wish to express a sincere thank you to all the people of Durness who made this possible.