SHOULD you cross? WHERE should you cross? HOW should you cross?

We have written the following advice to help you consider your approach to river crossings during the Cape Wrath Ultra®.

Each day will be subject to various cut-off times, to enable us to deliver the event logistics fluently. These cut-offs will be generous as there is a fantastic amount of daylight in late May in the north of Scotland. The cut-off time is the time by which participants must have departed, not arrived at a checkpoint. If a participant has not departed a checkpoint by the cut-off time, they will be retired from that day’s racing.

A participant who fails to complete one or more days of the course (i.e. arrives at a checkpoint after the cut-off time, arrives at the finish after the course closure time, or decides to withdraw from that day's course) will be able to continue in the event by swapping to the Cape Wrath Explorer.

We expect participants to stay within 200m of our advised route at all times. In practical terms, for the majority of the time this is very easy as our route generally follows the only path or track on the ground: it is the only logical way. At other times, where there is no visible path on the ground, you will have flexibility to range within 200m of the route so that you should feel little pressure to follow our route precisely at all times and can enjoy the incredible wilderness experience to the full. 

The Cape Wrath Ultra passes through some of Scotland’s most outstanding upland landscapes, recognised as areas of national and international importance for their upland wildlife habitats, flora and fauna. The majority of the Cape Wrath Ultra route follows hill tracks, paths and roads to provide access to these special mountain landscapes without the risk of trampling disturbance to their special habitats, vegetation and wildlife.

A selection of expert advice from the race medics, blister specialists and the race organisers.

If you intend to treat foot problems as they arise at the Cape Wrath Ultra® you have already chosen the wrong strategy! After all, feet are the most important part of your kit.

The Cape Wrath Ultra is a tough challenge – you will need to look after yourself to finish well (at the front or the back of the pack), so we’re glad you’ve come here to read this. We know from previous editions of the race that a large proportion of the race field will seek help from the medical team at some point during the race. In 2016, 55% of the field sought medical help, similar in 2018. Approximately half of these visits concerned blisters with the rest concerning medical issues or musculoskeletal sprains and strains.

Maintaining basic good hygiene standards at our events is important because the risk of a communicable disease spreading quickly amongst the participants and event team is a possibility and this could ruin, or even end, someone’s race.

Race control’s first, and most important role, is to ensure the safety of the event staff and participants. On rare occasions this may mean that race control needs to make a decision in the interest of safety or logistics that is appropriate for the majority but not necessarily all participants.

The heavy duty 79L Ortlieb PS490 dry bag (see our shop) is now the compulsory make and model.