Monday to Friday  COMPLETION NOT COMPETITION.

The primary aims of the whole five day programme are of enjoyment and achievement. The focus for everyone will be, undoubtedly, “the big one” – the Cape Wrath Challenge on the Saturday. There is no doubt that this is a big task for everyone- both due to the distance involved and the nature of the terrain- it is a tough course. Normally, in the week prior to a marathon, most runners would be conserving their strength and most certainly not contemplating yet more running! For this reason participation in these supportive runs is both voluntary  and non-competitive. Every competitor will be timed and recorded at the finish and that achievement recognised – but the aim in each case is to both complete and enjoy the activity not try to create a record.

One reason for that approach is that all the routes contain sensational scenery. Two of the routes take you to deserted areas where the only sounds may be that of waves, the birds or falling water- otherwise, the silence is deafening. This is nature at its best. It is a special area so if you want to stop and savour the moment or the scenery then you should feel that you can do so. On two of the runs there are optional starts allowing the opportunity to run -  but over shorter distances.  For example, on the Monday, the full run around the shores of Loch Eriboll is a half  marathon starting beyond  Ard Neckie at Arnaboll in the shadow of Ben Hope. It begins with a small uphill stretch and continues into a downhill run which goes past Whale's Corner some 5½ miles into the course where there is the site of a former quarry.  Some runners may prefer to join in the run from there- thus doing a 7 ½  (rather than the 13.1)  mile run. 

 Not many of you will have experience of running on single track roads with passing places. Most roads in this area are of this type. On some roads we will use there is room for a car to overtake one runner – but not groups of runners. Traffic flow is very low but there are the odd delivery lorries, some farm vehicles and the occasional tour coach. Because of the frequency of passing places it works well with one or other vehicle giving way. You have to think of yourself as another vehicle and sometimes you will have to yield and even stop to let someone through. They will salute and acknowledge- and you will, no doubt, return the compliment. It’s friendly, it’s co-operative and it’s the norm here. If your mind were fixated upon a finishing clock and the passing of the seconds, no doubt the pressure would be on to force your way through …and accidents would happen.  Police will monitor the road sections and hopefully your enjoyment of the routes will lead to sensible running and a “100% pass rate” for the event in terms of its road safety.  

Saturday ………COMPETITION AND COMPLETION.

Due to the unique feature of this event- the inclusion of two boat crossings - it is imperative that competitors are dispatched in groups of 20 every 15 minutes. Each competitor will be timed and recorded as they go through the various check-points. There are three separate events on that day. For some there is the supreme task of doing the full ultra marathon on their own and prizes will be awarded based on both performance and age. For others, there will be the fun of taking part in the team relay. There are two competitions- one for a team of 2 runners and the other for teams of up to a maximum of 5 persons of either sex. Tides play a critical part in the organisation of both the beach run on Friday and the Cape Wrath Challenge.

Contingency plan

The Cape Wrath Peninsula is owned by the MOD and for parts of the year is closed to the public so that military operations and target practice can take place. This is one of their “open” periods and we have been granted official permission to go onto the Cape for our event. That permission was granted with the proviso that, in the event of an emergency, access might be denied. This is highly unlikely but we are aware of this remote possibility. We also know that whilst in weather terms late May is traditionally the best time to visit this area the ferryman can recall rare occasions when the weather has been so foul as to cause cancellation of the service. Again, a remote possibility! In the event of either happening then we have agreed with the Police the route for an alternative marathon ultra marathon road run from Scourie  We hope not to implement this. 

FIRST AID           

In addition the local doctor will be on stand-by. We should draw your attention to the fact that in this area there are no pharmacies – Ullapool or Inverness (nearly 100 miles away) offers the nearest branch of Boots the Chemists! Ensure that you have adequate supplies of any medications used regularly. Ensure that you have your own supplies of  asprin, paracetamol, plasters, immodium etc.

COMMUNICATIONS       

These are gradually improving and most mobile phones will work in most areas for most of the time but one can  find  a signal in one place and not in another but yards away. If that fails there are adequate land lines and two public telephone boxes. In the same way, the nature of the terrain is different and so on each day (including the Saturday) you will find that the marshals will be mobile – often using quad bikes to cope with the terrain and width of roads. We have secured the services of Ammature Radio for the Saturday communications on Cape Side.    

ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES

This has to be seen as a holiday where you enjoy yourself and relax. However, relaxation for each individual can come in many shapes and forms and there will certainly be  on offer organised and challenging physical activities , walks with bird watching and local history led by the local Warden as well as exploring on your own or just relaxing with a book.

At this time of the year the days are long  indeed the nights will never truly get dark as you are less than a month from the longest day of the year. The social side includes a welcome gathering aided by some wine and cheese, a quiz night, practice for our Scottish dancing, a BBQ on the beach and, of course, the final “fling” at the Ceilidh on Saturday night.