First ever Golspie Backyard Ultra lasts 29 hours with 72 runners taking part.
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Aberdeenshire ultra distance runner Mike Raffan was the winner of the first-ever Golspie Backyard Ultra, held in the grounds of Dunrobin Castle last Saturday.
Participants in a backyard ultra must run a designated loop - usually around 4.167 miles - on the hour, every hour, as many times as they possibly can in one go.
When each lap is completed, the remaining time within the hour is typically used to recover for the next hour's race. The winner is the last runner remaining.
The race started at 10am on the Saturday and ended some 29 hours later, with Mike having run 29 loops – or 'yards' as they are known by race goers. He totalled 122.88 miles and averaged 43-minute miles.
Local resident Nikki Harrison, who organised the event along with her husband Ian, said that out of 83 entrants there were 72 participants on the day. The youngest athlete was aged 18, the oldest 63 and the average age of runners was 44.
Between them the runners clocked up a total of 3221 miles.
Nikki said: "The day started with a wonderful sunrise and we enjoyed lovely November weather, and were even treated to the Northern lights on Saturday night. The sun shone throughout Sunday and the run was well supported with people coming from far afield to watch."
Runner-up in the men's race was Craig McQueen, coach of Troon Thistle 2010s. He totalled 28 loops and 117.20 miles.
Nikki continued: "Our first lady standing was Vic Owens (North Wales) who completed 18 yards. We had five athletes who made 24 yards (100 miles) – Mike Raffan, Craig Mcqueen, Allan Parkin, Thomas Hugon and Louis Mcallister.
"We would like to thank the Earl of Sutherland for his kind permission to hold the event, Scott Morrison, castle manager, and Iain Crisp and his gardening crew for all their help leading up to and over the weekend.
"We would also like to thank the band of volunteers who came out to support the athletes and all those who came along over the course of the weekend to cheer the athletes on. They really appreciated it.
"To see so many people achieve such outstanding goals over the weekend was simply amazing. Many personal records were achieved and a lifetime of memories made."
The event was a fundraiser for Highland and Islands Blood Bikes.
