DAY 5: Spirits are high as runners cross Fisherfield

The incredible weather continued into Day 5 of the Cape Wrath Ultra as our intrepid participants ventured out of Torridon and into the Fisherfield Forest, an area known by many as ‘the Great Wilderness’. This is one of the most sparsely populated areas of Scotland and presents a challenge to Munro baggers looking to gain the high peaks of the area.

Today the runners experienced this remote landscape at its best, with the sun beaming down for the most of the day. Their journey took them on some runnable trails weaving through the glens before heading over the tops to a final steep descent into camp.

There are 151 runners still in the event, with 112 runners still competitive, and a further 39 participating in the Explorer Course. This is a significantly higher proportion still in the race compared to last year, when unseasonably bad weather battered participants on Day 4.

DETERMINATION AND OPTIMISM WAS THE MOOD AS RUNNERS LEFT KINLOCHEWE FOR THE DAY

The route began this morning with a small section of flat road out of camp. The flat section was anything but boring though – the early morning sun made for some pretty awe-inspiring views of the Benn Eighe range as runners left camp.

We caught up with some of the runners as they headed out onto the course.

John Spencer was running at a good pace on the flat section of road out of Camp 4.

He said, “I have a couple of blisters, but nothing other than that. I’ve got further than last year – I got to day 3 last year, so I'm quite happy. I’m fairly confident, but not thinking about that yet. I’ll get today out of the way, crack tomorrow, then see how it goes.”

For him, the beautiful descent on Day 3 has been the route highlight so far. He said, “The run into the camp when you can see the camp from the top of the hill was amazing. The weather yesterday was also nice. It's been fantastic. I might even be back next year!" 

Sarah Perry also looked strong as she made her way out onto the course.

She said, “It was good last night – it’s amazing how the body recovers.

“Yesterday was stunning and being a shorter day it felt relaxed - there wasn't that time pressure. Each day has been stunning and has had its own challenges. It's all been really memorable.”

We asked her what she would say to someone thinking of doing the Cape Wrath Ultra. She said, “I'd say just go for it, especially with the Explorer option. Most of the ladies in my tent now are on the Explorer. You will never be ready for something like this. You'll never feel like ‘oh I can run 250 miles’, so just try! There's always a back-up! Most of the time you surprise yourself!”

RUNNERS ENJOYED THE DESCENT INTO CAMP

The final stretch into camp is an enjoyable one. The runnable trails of the morning made way for a climb up to the tops, where the Fisherfield Munros provided a breath-taking and dramatic backdrop for runners to enjoy. There were small mountain lochs, and a brief section of rough bog providing a little bit of navigational challenge before the runners were treated to views of Loch Broom on a tricky descent into camp.

We caught up with a few of the runners as they made this final descent.

Daniel Harris had enjoyed the faster pace of the day. He said, “This is more my type of running because it's less technical. I've got dry feet - I haven’t had wet feet all day. There were lots of easy trails to follow.”

“Yesterday I felt very tired and today I just seemed to pop back. The energy's come back from nowhere today, so that's a big plus!”

John Farris was also feeling elated as he came running down in the sunshine. He said, “It's just fantastic. It's hard to say what the best bit is. Today suits me because it's runnable but yesterday was probably my favourite.”

John has come all the way from Texas, so the Scottish Highlands are certainly new territory for him. He said, “I'm getting used to the boggy bits a little bit. Everywhere you look it's gorgeous. It's equal parts wanting to keep moving and get there, and equal parts wanting to look around.”

He has enjoyed the atmosphere at camp and the camaraderie that has developed amongst the participants.

“Camp life's been good. The people are amazing. I keep running with so many different people, and learning all these little titbits about cuckoo birds and ptarmigans. You learn all sorts running with people from around the world.”

“Yesterday was a great vibe, hanging out on bean bag chairs, eating some chips and chilli. It was amazing – such a good recharge day and a mental boost. Today's been like that too!”

Debbie Martin-Consani also had a huge smile on her face as she came gliding through the bog with Eeke Triggs-Hodge. She said, “It's magic. Absolutely amazing.”

Debbie is well-known on the ultra-running circuit for her success in the Spine Race, so this is a different kind of challenge for her.

She said, “I've never done a multi-stage race before. It's really nice to not vomit and hallucinate. It's much more pleasant. It's not a massive sufferfest when it's like this.”

THE EXPLORER COURSE PARTICIPANTS ARE ENJOYING A FANTASTIC JOURNEY

Agamemnon has travelled all the way from Greece to participate. After being timed out on Day 3, he is now continuing non-competitively as an Explorer Course participant, but is still opting to enjoy the full days. 

He said, “Yesterday was a marvellous day - the sun, all of it was excellent! And the food - the chilli and the curry - excellent!”

Luke Elliott, Emma Burton and Sarah Taylor were also on the Explorer course today, and had opted to do the second half of the day, going over the tops of the hills past the small mountain lochs before dropping into camp. The trio were in excellent spirits when we crossed them on the hillside.

Emma said, “It’s glorious. For me the highlight was having the low when you time out and then realising the Explorer is just incredible. We've had the most fantastic time on it.”

Sarah added, “There's a bit of an adjustment to change to the Explorer, but once you've got your head round it, it's just wonderful. It's brilliant to have that choice and to be respected for it as well if you like.”

An unexpected perk of the Explorer Course is also the opportunity for a good café stop while being taken to the insertion point.

“We're supporting the local economy. I had an amazing chai latte at the Midge Bite Café. We just ask the drivers - they know where to take us,” Emma said with a laugh.

It's wonderful to see that even though they may no longer be competitive, the Explorer Course participants are making the most of the wonderful opportunity given to them to explore the Highlands. Their journey is no less admirable than those on the full course, and it demonstrates a brilliant amount of resilience to continue on this journey in spite of setbacks earlier on in the race.

ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING DAY FOR MEEK, WHILE PARRISH MAINTAINS HIS LEAD

For the fifth day in a row, the top of the leaderboard remains unchanged today, with Jo Meek and David Parrish once again retaining their place as the race leaders.

Jo was flying down the descent into camp when we caught up with her. While today was supposedly one of the easier days of the race, she was finding it more difficult.

She said, “I've found it tough today. Maybe it's the pace. My shin tendons are a bit sore. You think it's going to be an easier day, but I've found it quite tough.”

However, in spite of the challenge of Day 5, Jo has still managed to maintain a remarkable pace, and has set another course record for Day 5, the 4th day in a row that she has broken the previous record. She continues to put time into her fellow competitors and is still in 4th place overall.

David Parrish was also having another storming run. He was negotiating the technical rocky descent into camp with such speed that it was difficult to keep up as we found out how his day went.

He said, “It’s been great – not too bad. I had a few navigational errors just there though!”

While the former Marine has not raced more than a half marathon before, his background of Munro-bagging and long days in the hills make him well-placed to excel at this ultra challenge.

Fernando Alvarez and Sam Hill are once again in second and third place at the end of today and are both looking strong.

In the women’s field, Elaine Bisson and Jana Szczepaniak remain in second and third place, after some incredibly impressive running, though Jana is apparently nursing a slight injury today.

However, just as impressive are the performances from the people at the back of the pack, who are spending more time on their feet, and having less time to recover in the evenings.

Among the last finishers today were Molly Weeber and Chris Lawrence, who had teamed up after nursing a similar injury. However, both were determined not to let this get the better of them, and they were met into the finish by the biggest cheers of the day.

Molly said, “I met up with Chris to keep company - we have a similar injury so we understand each other. It’s beautiful but kind of sad to not have been able to run most of it.”

Upon reaching the finish, Molly and Chris hugged, emotional at having reached the end of another day.

It is these hardy souls who keep chipping away day after day that are at the heart of what the Cape Wrath Ultra is about.

RUNNERS ENJOYED RELAXING IN CAMP 5

Camp 5 is in yet another stunning location at the head of Loch Broom. With the glorious weather continuing into the afternoon, participants and event team alike took the opportunity to wander down to the Loch to go for a refreshing dip at the end of a hard day’s graft.

There was a relaxed atmosphere in camp, with many runners once more sunbathing, hanging their clothes up to dry, and catching up with each other’s adventures of the day. They were also treated to ice lollies at the finish, which was much appreciated after a warm day.

However, there was certainly a sense of nervousness in the air as well. While the previous two days have been ‘shorter’, tomorrow is a long one – the longest in the whole race. 72km await our runners tomorrow, who will have to contend with both flat, runnable trails, and rough, high ground as they venture into Assynt.

While the runners are now well over half-way, there is still a long way to go, and it will take courage, determination and endurance to reach that iconic finish line at the Cape Wrath lighthouse.

Follow their journey via the GPS Tracking.

The overnight camp was a wonderful place for runners to relax ©No Limits Photography

THE LEADERBOARD SO FAR:

FASTEST 3 MEN:

1. David Parrish (27:30:25)

2. Fernando Alvarez (29:08:39)

3. Sam Hill (29:46:34)

FASTEST 3 WOMEN:

1. Jo Meek (31:17:30)

2. Elaine Bisson (34:20:53)

3. Jana Szczepaniak (35:29:18)

FASTEST 3 MEN ON DAY 5:

1. David Parrish (04:36:34)

2. Fernando Alvarez (04:51:44)

3. Sam Hill (04:58:42)

FASTEST 3 WOMEN ON DAY 5:

1. Jo Meek (05:22:47)

2. Jana Szczepaniak (05:54:03)

3. Elaine Bisson (06:00:56)

DO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY IN 2024

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