Ultra-runners – including one from Ukraine – gear up for start of Cape Wrath Ultra
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Hundreds of ultra-runners from around the world are set to take on an epic challenge to reach the far north-west tip of Britain this weekend.
More than 300 competitors have signed up for this year's Cape Wrath Ultra, which sees the athletes tackle an eight-day journey from Fort William to Cape Wrath.
Last year the race was won by Aviemore man Ian Stewart.
He completed the 400km course through challenging terrain, linking ancient footpaths and remote tracks.
Now, leading ultra-runners representing 25 different nations are making their final preparations for the event that starts on Sunday.
Those taking part in the Cape Wrath Ultra will travel through some of Scotland’s most spectacular landscapes, including Knoydart, Kintail, Torridon, Assynt and,of course, Sutherland.
The race is organised by Ourea Events and does not use any signs or waymarking to mark the route. Participants are required to use a combination of traditional navigational skills with a map and compass, supplemented by modern GPS technology if they wish, to follow the race route.
Ourea Events and its team of volunteers set up a campsite and catering each night, removing everything the following morning as they move along the route.
Of the 304 ultra-runners who have signed up for the 2022 Cape Wrath Ultra, 78 are women, which is higher than average for the event.
Among the leading competitors in the men’s race are Howard Dracup, who earlier this year finished third in the Montane Spine Challenger North, and Simon Roberts, who won the 2021 Montane Dragon’s Back Race.
The women’s race is also expected to be very competitive, featuring Laura O’Driscoll, twice Irish national champion over 50km and winner of numerous ultras, and Lake District based Megan James, who completed the 2019 Dragon’s Back Race.
This year’s Cape Wrath Ultra will feature 16 athletes who have taken part before, including Paul Ainsworth, who finished fourth in 2018. Of the 169 participants from the UK, 17 are Scottish, and among the international athletes is Andrey Prihodko, representing Ukraine.
Race director Shane Ohly said: “Last year’s event was smaller than usual due to pandemic-related travel restrictions, so we’re really excited to welcome such a big and international field of ultra-runners in 2022, for what will be a spectacular and unforgettable journey through an incredible landscape.
"Putting the onus on the participants to self-navigate the route is a key part of the challenge and adventure offered by the Cape Wrath Ultra, and is also entirely in keeping with the sustainability strategy of Ourea Events and our goal to leave no trace.”
The race will begin in Fort William at 11am on Sunday and the runners’ progress will be available to view through live tracking at https://live.opentracking.co.uk/capewrathultra22
More details about the race can be found at www.capewrathultra.com
