WATCH: Highland runner retains lead after second day of Cape Wrath Ultra
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Highland runner Ian Stewart remained in the lead on the second day of the 2021 Cape Wrath Ultra yesterday.
Almost 100 ultra-runners set out on Day 1 (Fort William to Glenfinnan) with Ian Stewart, from Aviemore, establishing an early lead.
Yesterday, (Day 2), the route ran from Glenfinnan to Kinloch Hourn, a distance of around 53.92km with 1800m of ascent.
Participants enjoyed blue skies and magnificent scenery but as the day went on, temperatures soared and some suffered.
But the conditions did not affect Aviemore based Ian Stewart who crossed the finish line in seven hours and twenty-six minutes.
Ian said: “It was a really good day. Everything about it was awesome. It is a stunning route and it was amazing to get the views and weather.
"It had good running terrain and good technical descents. Plus there was the wee extra bonus of coming in first. I am surprised how well I have done both days. I am enjoying it.”
The two fastest females, Sally Fawcett and Lisa Watson, ran across the finish line together and as joint leaders, having taken 8 hours 08 minutes to complete the route. Sally and Lisa ran together for the day.
Sally said: “We enjoy running together and we are a similar pace.”
Lisa added: “It was good to be able to chat as we ran.”
Sally described the terrain as very varied.
She said: “There was a lot of hills and descents and some great technical trail. At times, there was thick bracken and prickly bracken, too, and it was a struggle to find the path through the vegetation.”
Lisa added: “There were also lots of ticks, too.”
Sally continued: “We had a great day. We had a dunk in a pool at some point and we enjoyed ourselves. I liked the more technical route along the shore of the loch towards the end.”
Lisa agreed: “It was hard later on from Barrisdale and technical but I knew it would be like that and so I saved all my sweet treats for then. It was a touch on the warm side but we drank lots of water and ate salty snacks. It was a great day.”
The runners left Kinloch Hourn this morning (Day 3) heading for Achnashellach, a distance of 63.16km.
