Event Director’s Report

By Shane Ohly

Introduction

I have learnt from the Berghaus Dragon’s Back Race™ what a profound impact an event like the Cape Wrath Ultra™ can have on the participants, and event team alike. This event was no exception, and there were many moments of profound highs, and a few profound lows for many people involved in the event. We promised an ‘extraordinary adventure’ and ‘a once in a lifetime journey’, and I believe we delivered this.

It was an honour to share the journey and adventure with such a great event team, and a group of participants that exceeded my expectations in terms of the high finish rate, and their jovial and determined approach.

The intensity of the experience, amplified by extreme fatigue has the effect of raising emotions and searing the event into one’s mind. I know that we all remember the inaugural Cape Wrath Ultra™ for the rest of our lives.

Marcus Scotney (UK), ran down the track towards the Cape Wrath lighthouse at 11:05 on Sunday 29th May, and was cheered into the finish of the first Cape Wrath Ultra™ by a small group of fellow runners, media, and race staff. Running strongly, he arrived in the lighthouse compound high up on the cliffs and was directed into the tiny yet welcoming Ozone Café to punch in for his finish time (yes, there is a café here! In fact, it is the only reason anyone is here normally as the lighthouse is automated).

As you might expect the finish line of the Cape Wrath Ultra™ was extraordinary and that bit different.

The Cape Wrath lighthouse stands proudly atop some towering cliffs and overlooks a large sea stack and caves and this iconic place has been the aim of the participants for the past 8 days. Many of the old surrounding ruins are now tumbling down, the lighthouse is automated, and the only resident is the owner of the Ozone Cafe and his dogs.

As racers waited for their bus ride out at the Cape Wrath lighthouse there was time to take some finish line photos on their phones, and one of the most commonly taken shots was of Giliam Boogerd’s feet!

Marcus Scotney (UK), ran down the track towards the Cape Wrath lighthouse at 11:05 this morning and was cheered into the finish of the first Cape Wrath Ultra™ by a small group of other runners, media, and race staff. With today being a short day, just 16 cross-country miles, he was not the first to finish which meant he had a welcome reception from some of those who can best appreciate what he has accomplished. Running strongly he arrived in the lighthouse compound high on the cliffs and was directed into the tiny yet welcoming Ozone Cafe to punch in for his finish time (yes, there is a cafe here! In fact it is the only reason anyone is here normally as the lighthouse is automated).

They say a week is a long time in politics, and it’s very definitely a long time if you have run, day after day, across the Scottish highlands on the Cape Wrath Ultra!

“Day 6 is the longest day, but for all those that have made it this far, this day will unlikely defeat you.”

Day 5 of the Cape Wrath Ultra was another hot one, with early cloud clearing away to leave clear blue skies as the participants made their way through the Fisherfield Forest to camp beside Loch Broom, just south of Ullapool.

This morning participants in the Cape Wrath Ultra set off for day 5, moving into the second half of the course. There are many miles behind them and many more to go.

The leading female participant in the first half of the race is one of the international racers, Ita Emanuela Marzotto from Tuscany, Italy.

I chatted to her tonight and she told me the remarkable story of how she came to be here and to be running so well.

Day 4 of the Cape Wrath Ultra took the participants into the mighty peaks of Torridon on another fine day, but at times in the morning still with a very cold wind blowing.

From the first pass of the day the view of the peaks of Liathach and Beinn Eighe straight ahead was breathtaking. Aly Wren and Andrew Heaney, who have been running together, stopped to take photos and take in the view despite the bitter wind. “We were so glad to finish yesterday,” Wren said, “and were an hour inside the cut-off, so we started a bit later this morning for the shorter day.” Many others did the same – there was not quite the same early morning rush for breakfast ahead of a 7am start!