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Name
of Race: Cape Wrath Marathon
(part of the Cape Wrath Challenge)
Location:
Durness
Distance: 26.2
miles
Month Held: May
Number of
Participants:
Website:
Cape Wrath Challenge
Information:
A five day series of events culminating in the ultimate challenge -the final
marathon that includes a climb of over 2,415 feet.
From the
Cape Wrath Website - "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."
Cape
Wrath Marathon - brave finisher nears the line.
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