Day 6: Ian Stewart stretches his lead over Sally Fawcett
The longest day of the Cape Wrath Ultra saw the runners making their way from Inverbroom to Inchnadamph over 72km. The total ascent was a more modest 1400m and there was plenty of runnable terrain on tracks to start with.
Towards the end of the route, the runners had to negotiate much rougher and remoter terrain and after so many days on their feet it proved tough for many.
At the start of the day, there were still 55 in the race and eight participants are following a reduced course after being timed-out at checkpoints or due to injury and retirement.
The weather was wet and windy but many runners said they would take that over “too hot and midgey”.
Ian, Sally and Lisa ran together at the start of the day. © No Limits Photography
Ian Stewart: ‘I had a better day than expected’
Ian Stewart was the fastest runner again today finishing in 8:04. For the first time since day one, Sally Fawcett and Lisa Watson came home separately. Sally was nine minutes ahead of Lisa in 8:26. Ian’s lead has stretched and he now sits 1hr 37 mins in front after the six days.
The Scottish running coach said: “I had a good day. Today was always going to be my hardest because of the 30km of track in the middle. I am fine on the hills and there were plenty of those at the start and finish of the day but if anything was going to go wrong, it was on the tracks.
“Other people can run far faster than me on these types of tracks and people could easily catch me. I am pleased with how things went.”
Ian set off later than Lisa and Sally and then caught the friends on the first hill. The trio ran together until the track section where Lisa fell back a bit.
The Dark Peak Fells Runner is suffering with a long-term foot injury that has now caused pain higher up her leg. She said after finishing: “I am nursing my foot and leg and I couldn’t keep up on the descents. I was okay on the track and the hills but things really hurt on the descents. I am pleased to be not that far behind Sally.”
Ian Stewart on day 6 ©No Limits Photography
Cat and mouse on the trails
Ian and Sally ran on-off together along the middle track section and then at the last col before a final hill descent to Inchnadamph when Ian sped downhill. He said: “I enjoyed that final descent and let myself go. It was a good finish for me.”
Lisa had caught Sally by the col but again her injury hampered her downhill speed. Sally, also a member of Dark Peak Fell Runners, finished second fastest today. She said: “I enjoyed the first third and the last third of the course today. The road section was really hard because things are hurting now. My knees and my foot are sore. When it was tussocky and and softer ground it was really good.”
Lisa on day 6 ©No Limits Photography
Time apart: Sally and Lisa
It’s the first time for days that Sally and Lisa have not finished together. Sally said: “We always said we would keep together while it was working and until naturally we drifted apart.”
George Winkley joins top 5
There has been a change in the top placed men after six days with George Winkley now the third male and in fifth place overall. The top three places are still Ian, Sally and Lisa with Ritchie Williamson in fourth position.
Start line in Inverbroom today. © No Limits Photography
Day 6: Front-runner results
Day 6: Top 3 females
Sally Fawcett 8:26
Lisa Watson 8:35
Sabrina Verjee 9:37
Day 6: Top 3 males
Ian Stewart 8:04
George Winkley 8:40
Ritchie Williamson 9:06
Day 6: Top 5 runners
Ian Stewart 38:46
Sally Fawcett 40:23
Lisa Watson 40: 37
Ritchie Williamson 43:36
George Winkley 43:41.
Looking ahead: Day 7
Another long day awaits the runners as they head from Inchnadamph to Kinlochbervie. The 61km route, with 1600m of ascent, journeys through moorland and between mountains and along the shores of stunning sea lochs. The final part of the day is on tarmac but the rewards are superb sea views.