Disappointment for friends on Cape Wrath Ultra 2021

Injury on day two of the Cape Wrath Ultra 2021 led to the end of the race for Lisenka Beenders (no.28). It was a huge disappointment for her – and also her good friend Kirsty Oliver (no.24).

The pair had signed up for the race together after Lisenka, 50, from Holland, heard about the event from another friend. She confesses: “It might have been a bit of a mid-life crisis thing to do but when I saw my friend doing the race I really wanted to do it, too.” 

Without hesitation, Kirsty, 52, who lives in Scotland, agreed. “Then I went away to have a look at what the race was all about,” she says, laughing.

Friendship forged through multi-stage races

Kirsty and Lisenka first became friends at a multi-stage running race in Cambodia in 2018. Since then they have completed a few similar races in different countries.

‘We have the right friendship for long races’

Kirsty says: “We became friends at the start of the race in Cambodia and we immediately got on. We have got to know each other well and can happily share a tent and get along when things get tough.

“We are also good companions in running races because we motivate each other and we know how each other works. I think we have the right friendship for long races.”

While Kirsty is faster on the climbs, Lisenka usually makes up the time difference on the descents and the flats.

Kirsty adds: “When I am climbing and Lisenka is behind I know she will catch me on the downhills. There is the motivation for me to keep going so we can stay together in the race.”

Lisenka says: “I see Kirsty up ahead and this motivates me to keep going even though I don’t like the hills.”

Kirsty says: “We know we will catch up with each other and we are always there for each other, catching each other’s backs.” 

The pair rarely stop talking. Kirsty, who has two grown-up daughters and a grand child, says: “We always find we have loads to talk about… we cover all sort of topics.  We talk to each other about how hard the event is and make sure we keep each other going. We make sure we each eat regularly.

“We also chat about what is around us, especially the beautiful landscapes.”

Training for the Cape Wrath ultra

There have been training difficulties for both women in the run up to the race. Kirsty says: “Training has not been easy since Covid. There have been no races and the gyms have been shut. Yes, you can go running but there was nothing to motivate me. It has been tough.”

Before the Cape Wrath Ultra, Lisenka adds: “I have not been able to travel during the pandemic and so I have not been able to train on the right terrain. It is obviously very flat where I live. I have done what I can but my main worry is the terrain on the Cape Wrath Trail.”

Early disappointment for Linsenka

While Kirsty and Lisenka finished day one together, day two proved to be tougher for the Dutch runner. On day three, while Kirsty was still in the race, Lisenka was forced to drop out.

Kirsty picks up the story: “Lisenka tripped and fell a few times yesterday and on one occasion  she hurt her finger badly.

“This really affected her confidence and she was very upset by the end of the day. Sadly, she can’t race today and needs to attend hospital. 

“I am very disappointed for her. It is sad not to have my friend with me today.

“Usually we finish each day and the overall race together and now I am doing this on my own. I really feel for Lisenka and I am missing her. We are so good at motivating each other but now I have to keep going on my own.”

Lisenka had her finger x-rayed and discovered it was dislocated. She says: “I am disappointed my race is over. My finger is very sore. I am going home to Holland and it is sad I won’t be able to finish the race with Kirsty.”

Kirsty believes she is fortunate to live in Scotland. She says: “I moved from Norfolk to the eastern Highlands a few years ago. I have lots of great running on my doorstep and I am used to moving through terrain like the Cape Wrath Ultra.

“I am not fast but I am steady and I generally keep going. I hope I can keep going for the entire race.”

Kirsty races on

Kirsty was still in the race on day five. She has been running for the last few days with another competitor, Simon Bray (61). They met while finishing the final stage of day three.

Kirsty says: “We met after I fell knee deep into a bog coming down the last hill descent on day three. We had a laugh about that and we are a similar pace, which is nice.”

Simon adds: “It is good to have the motivation of running with someone else.”