Cape Wrath Ultra® - Event Director Report
Under scorching highland skies, the 2025 Cape Wrath Ultra® journey began on Sunday, 18th May. From the start in Fort William, runners embarked on an epic 400km adventure spanning eight days and some of Scotland's most remote and dramatic landscapes. This year’s field features 177 athletes, from 21 countries, across three events: the full Cape Wrath Ultra®, the more flexible Cape Wrath Explorer™ route and the inaugural Cape Wrath 100™ (a 100-mile challenge set within the first three days of the event).
It’s incredibly rewarding to see just how much enjoyment the Explorer continues to bring to the event. Whether it’s a fallback option for those recovering from unexpected injury or illness, or simply a fantastic way to enjoy a world-class running holiday in the Scottish Highlands, the Explorer has truly earned its place alongside the full Ultra route.
This year also saw the successful debut of the Cape Wrath 100™. We believe this is a brilliant new addition to the event that gives participants the chance to experience the first three days of the course, covering 100 miles of spectacular Highland terrain. It’s a perfect option for those seeking a shorter yet still deeply rewarding mountain running adventure.
It’s satisfying to see that the number of full Ultra completions and the overall number of completions across the Ultra and Explorer has leapt up this year. In fact, 90% of all participants who started the event successfully completed either the full Ultra or the Explorer route, which is a strong indicator of both participant determination and the supportive environment created by the event team.
I’m proud that the event now offers a range of meaningful challenges. The ability to choose between the Ultra, Explorer, and Cape Wrath 100 means more opportunities for more runners to participate, succeed and take away unforgettable memories. Yet, at the same time, completing the full Cape Wrath Ultra® route remains a daunting and demanding challenge.
Wilderness adventures on the Cape Wrath trail | ©No Limits Photography
In the context of previous editions, the statistics are:
2025 – Starters 171, Ultra Finishers 86 (50%), Explorer Finishers 69 (40%),
Overall Completions 155 (90%). Cape Wrath 100 Starters 6. Finishers 4 (66%)
2024 – Starters 172, Ultra Finishers 57 (33%), Explorer Finishers 68 (39%),
Overall Completions 125 (72%)
2023 - Starters 172, Ultra Finishers 88 (51%), Explorer Finishers 48 (28%),
Overall Completions 136 (79%)
2022 - Starters 270, Ultra Finishers 104 (38%)
2021 - Starters 86, Ultra Finishers 52 (60%)
2018 - Starters 177, Ultra Finishers 110 (62%)
2016 - Starters 95, Ultra Finishers 59 (62%)
Reaching the iconic Cape Wrath lighthouse | ©No Limits Photography
The bad weather didn’t stop finish line celebrations | ©No Limits Photography
Personal Reflections
The Cape Wrath Ultra has always held a special place in my heart. As the race organiser, it remains my favourite event in the Ourea calendar. I think that’s because of the extraordinary sense of journey it offers; there’s simply nothing else like it. The Scottish Highlands are truly spectacular, and even if you’re only driving between overnight camps, you can’t help but feel immersed in the vast, wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands.
Compared to some of our other expedition races - like the relentless, non-stop Northern Traverse® or the intensity of the Dragon’s Back Race®, the Cape Wrath Ultra has a different rhythm and a more relaxed tempo. The 7am starts (compared to 6am at the Dragon’s Back Race) and the relatively shorter days mean that the entire Event Team often has a bit more breathing space in the afternoons. For me personally, this translated into rare and treasured moments: the chance to go for a short run or to sneak away for a swim in a remote plunge pool surrounded by nothing but silence and hills. These were small pockets of peace and joy, interwoven with all the usual pressures, stresses and excitement of organising a major event.
This year felt especially meaningful. There was a tangible sense of community throughout the event, creating a genuinely positive and friendly atmosphere that many people commented on. The statistic that best reflects this spirit is that 90% of participants who started the event completed either the full Ultra or the Explorer route. That’s remarkable. It means that most people achieved something outstanding and lasting. Even the Explorer runners, some of whom covered over 250km during the week, completed a challenge that would be a headline achievement in its own right were it not for the towering scale of the Ultra’s 400km.
What always inspires me most, however, is the grit and determination of the participants. I frequently mention this, but it remains true nonetheless. People arrive at the Cape Wrath Ultra prepared to confront a challenging experience. They face adversity - physical, emotional, and sometimes both - and they dig deep. This year, I had several incredibly honest conversations with participants about pain, resilience and satisfaction.
In these moments, I often discuss “good pain” and “bad pain.” Good pain is the ache in your legs after a long day, the blisters, the sore feet, the kind of discomfort that arises from doing something difficult and worthwhile. Moreover, the more of this you overcome, the greater your sense of satisfaction. Bad pain, on the other hand, is the unexpected injury or illness that forces someone to withdraw. I had a few conversations like that as well this year, filled with disappointment. This disappointment did not stem from any ambiguity about what needed to happen, but from how much people invest, both physically and emotionally, in preparation, only to witness their plans unravel. Those are tough moments for everyone involved, but fortunately, they’re rare.
But the headline remains: yes, it’s hard. Yes, there’s pain. But the sense of accomplishment at the finish line, of completing something truly extraordinary, stays with people forever. That’s priceless.
It’s also challenging to convey the sheer scale of the event, both for participants and the Event Team. Over eight days, we trace a route that weaves its way north through some of the most remote and dramatic parts of the Highlands. Driving it is an impressive journey, but doing it on foot is something else entirely. The journey over glens, passes, rivers and sea lochs is simply incredible. And perhaps most remarkable of all is that this wild, remote adventure remains so accessible.
You can take just a week off work, travel up to Scotland on a Saturday, register that afternoon, and start the race on Sunday. Eight days later, you’ll be standing at Cape Wrath lighthouse and home again by Monday (it’s a Bank Holiday in England and Wales). In just over a week, you’ll have lived through an experience that feels more like something from New Zealand or South America in its scale, wilderness and sense of ‘otherness’.
That’s the magic of the Cape Wrath Ultra. And every year, I feel honoured and grateful to play a part in making it happen.
19 women completed the Cape Wrath Ultra this year | ©No Limits Photography
Some Race Statistics
As mentioned above, a fantastic 90% of those who started finished either the Ultra or Explorer version of the event. Here are some more statistics that you may find interesting:
Cape Wrath Ultra and Explorer Statistics
Out of 171 starters, 108 (63%) of these were male, 63 (37%) of these were female
Of these starters, 21 nationalities were represented
There were 67 men who finished the Ultra, and 32 who finished the Explorer
There were 19 women who finished the Ultra, and 36 who finished the Explorer
The oldest Ultra finisher was 66 years old
The youngest Ultra finishers were 23 years old
Cape Wrath 100 Statistics
6 starters (2 male, 4 female)
4 finished (1 male, 3 female)
The people that make it possible! | ©No Limits Photography
Thanks to the Event Team
Another post-event report, and once again, I have an outstanding group of people to thank. Perhaps I’ve exhausted original ways to convey this, but the sentiment remains as heartfelt as ever. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the extraordinary team of professional, volunteer and freelance staff who made the 2025 Cape Wrath Ultra possible.
Your dedication, support, and camaraderie were not only essential for the successful delivery of the event but also the foundation of the incredibly positive and friendly atmosphere that characterised the entire week. The warmth and encouragement you brought to every interaction were truly tangible and countless participants remarked on how much this enhanced their overall experience.
Each of you played a vital role in creating something special. I remain deeply thankful for your expertise, energy, and unwavering commitment. Surrounding myself with people like you is the reason great things happen and this year’s Cape Wrath Ultra stands as proof of that. Thank you.
Site Crew
Alastair Baillie
Callum Clark
Francis Griffin-Acs
James Manville
Kieran Salmon
Max Wainwright
Morgan Stace
Owen Winter
Tom Jobling
Tom Young
Vittoria Sutton
Zak Benaton
Catering Team
Alberto Colin
Cathy Lowe
Daisy Sturgeon-Lowe
Dominic Hughes
Eleanor Smith
Emma Hadley
Fiona Culleton
Fi Massey
Jim Parker
Justin Pilkington
Laura Smith
Loz Rawlings-Johnson
Marie Arpin
Melanie MacGregor
Michelle Gerdsen
Nic McNally
Paul Hadley
Paul Hughes
Peter Huzan
Si Homfray
Tammy Ruvino
Tim Glasby
Medical Team
Anna Carter
Bethan Jones
Debbie Simpson
Elizabeth Rayner
Jess Trevett
Jim Walmsley
Madeleine Rowe
Morag Bowie
Rich Griffiths
Sian Brown
Sigurdur Hammond
Race Control Team
Abbi Forsyth
Nat Kennedy
Response Team
Dan Romberg
Dave Howarth
Lucy Noble
Sarah Graham
Sharon Kennedy
Soraya Cherry
Roadside Checkpoint & Transport Team
Adrian Conlin
Andy Warner
Karl Williams
Liz Warner
Sam Harvey
Course Operations
Andrea Harwood
Christine Caldwell
Colin Harding
Iain Young
Jo Shelmerdine
Paul Barnes
Camp Team
Andy Monk
Brian Corcoran
Buenos Hornell
Caroline Lear
Cedrick Mouzet
Cherrie Roberts
Debs White
Ewan Campbell
Ian Cowie
Jan Rogers
John Watson
Kirsty Oliver
Lucy Phillips
Marie Fallon
Nick Summerton
Nicole Morgan
Patricia Lyon
Richard Coombs
Rob Embry
Romesh Vadivel
Sean O'Keeffe
Tom Bickerton
Info Point Team
Alec Major
Sarah Howell
Technical Services
James Curtis
Kevin Nairn
Phil Sturgeon
Steven Fairbairn
Stuart Corbett
Tom Rouse
Media Team
Christiaan Le Roux
Harriet D'Alessio
Jimmy Hyland
Reuben Tabner
Steve Ashworth
Timing/Tracking
Adam Pimblett
Daniel Carrivick
Ourea Events Senior Team
Alex Chesters
Charlie Williamson
Duncan Archer
Greg Mickelborough
Jen Edson
Jo Moore
Libbi McGibbon
Lorna McBride
Neil Davies
Shane Ohly
Sue Dowker
Celebrating 50 Events
A special moment at this year’s Cape Wrath Ultra was celebrating Colin Harding’s 50th event with Ourea Events. A truly remarkable milestone. Colin has been an integral part of our Event Team since 2014, when he first volunteered at the now-retired Marmot 24, and he’s been a familiar and reliable presence ever since. He was also part of the team at the inaugural Cape Wrath Ultra in 2016. Over the years, Colin has supported our events in a wide range of roles, but he’s especially known for his outstanding mountain navigation skills. Whether he’s placing waymarks, setting up checkpoints, installing radio repeaters, or helping with course operations, Colin is usually found out on the hill, working quietly and effectively behind the scenes to help bring our races to life. On behalf of all participants and the wider Ourea Events team, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Colin for his brilliant, selfless, and deeply valued contributions to our events and to the broader mountain running community.
Marcus Scotney, twice winner of the Cape Wrath Ultra | ©No Limits Photography
Results
In a blistering time of 42 hours and 55 minutes, Marcus Scotney reached the iconic Cape Wrath lighthouse and was crowned the 2025 Cape Wrath Ultra® male winner. This was an emotional moment for the 50-year-old OMM athlete and running coach, who led from start to finish, marking his milestone birthday with a triumphant return to the top, nine years after his original victory in 2016, when he set a course record that still stands today.
In the women’s race, Sarah Ingram delivered an equally impressive performance, completing the 400km course in 59 hours and 28 minutes. The doctor from Sheffield crossed the finish line with the same infectious smile she had carried from Fort William to the lighthouse. Composed and consistent throughout, she embraced everything the course and the weather threw at her.
Our 2025 female podium was completed by Portuguese runner Margarida Bagão, who took second place after a very strong finish to her Cape Wrath Ultra journey, and Emma McCahill in third. Emma was a formidable competitor throughout the event, consistently striving for a top position all the way from Fort William.
SCARPA and Montane athlete Jon Shields kept his cool in the heat against Marcus and had an incredible race, maintaining second place throughout despite experiencing some foot issues. Lewis Taylor, who led the race in 2024, returned with an unyielding performance, securing third place for himself.
Cape Wrath Ultra Results Day Eight
Times listed are the accumulated times across all days.
1. Marcus Scotney | Scotland | 42:55:05
2. Jon Shield | England | 45:05:27
3. Lewis Taylor | UK | 45:21:03
1. Sarah Ingram | UK | 59:28:34
2. Margarida Bagão | UK | 61:23:11
3. Emma McCahill | UK | 62:57:15
The last great wilderness | ©No Limits Photography
Wrath Dragon Finishers
The challenge of completing both the Cape Wrath Ultra® and the Dragon’s Back Race® in the same year was only completed for the first time last year: You can read about Elsa Morgan’s incredible achievement in the Dragon’s Back Race report HERE.
Last year four people attempted it, first completing Cape Wrath Ultra® in May and then attempting the Dragon’s Back Race® in September. It’ll be interesting to see if anyone will try this remarkable feat in 2025. If you think this could be you, there are still some entries open for the Dragon’s Back Race® this September!
Ourea Triple
Another major milestone of this year’s event was the induction of three new athletes into the prestigious Ourea Events Triple - to be coined for 2026. Bruno Spellanzon, Nigel Martin and Sean Roswell have now completed the Northern Traverse®, the Dragon’s Back Race®, and the Cape Wrath Ultra®, earning their place among an elite group of ultra-endurance runners. This rare accomplishment underscores the dedication and resilience required to complete three of the UK's most challenging multi-day races. Have you got what it takes?
Donations To Mountain Rescue In Scotland
When participants entered this year's Cape Wrath Ultra®, we asked if they’d like to make a voluntary donation to Mountain Rescue. We are delighted to have raised £1,800.00 (including a top-up from Ourea Events to round up the number). We will share this equally amongst the six Mountain Rescue teams whose areas the race route passes through. This includes:
Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team
Glenelg Mountain Rescue Team
Kintail Mountain Rescue Team
Torridon Mountain Rescue Team
Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team
Assynt Mountain Rescue Team
PS. The photos have a £250 cheque displayed. The actual amount is £300!
Ongoing Health
Rest And Recovery
Whether you completed the full course or not, every participant’s body has endured a significant battering. We highly recommend a period of extended recovery now. Anecdotally, four weeks of rest, followed by approximately ten weeks of light exercise, seems to be effective. We have frequently observed participants in our expedition-length races returning to regular training too early, resulting in chronic fatigue and/or injury issues. Take the time to let your bodies heal!
Lyme Disease
We would also like to reiterate the dangers of Lyme Disease from tick bites. While this is unlikely, if you develop a ‘bulls-eye’ rash around a tick bite or experience flu-like symptoms within the next 30 days, we advise visiting a doctor. Ensure that you explain that you have been bitten by a tick. More information is available on the Lyme Disease Action website.
https://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk
Ultra Mail™
As anticipated, ‘Ultra Mail™’ proved extremely popular again, with 6,465 messages of support sent to the participants (and the Event Team) during the event. We love this component of the event; it provides an obvious boost for participants after a long day. Many participants shared that Ultra Mail™ was a genuine motivator for them during challenging times.
Event Coverage
We trust that your friends, family and colleagues watching from home enjoyed our event reporting from our brilliant media team. Watching the dots can be quite addictive, and we often spend hours observing the runners gradually head north on the GPS Tracker page. There is an abundance of outstanding media coverage from the event and we hope you enjoy catching up on this as you rest and recover from the event.
Delve into our Cape Wrath Daily Blogs here
Watch the 2025 Cape Wrath Highlights
Alongside Event Coverage our team have been working hard on bringing the people of the Cape Wrath Ultra to life, and have created a mini film series sharing stories from this year’s participants and their ‘why’ for taking on this bucket list challenge. Stay tuned for the release of the anticipated films in June.
Follow us on social media to relive this year’s event or be inspired!
GPS Tracking
All participants' routes over the eight days are public and available for everyone to view. You can use your (non-mobile/tablet) laptop or desktop computer to access the GPS tracking page. There, you'll find a replay icon in the top left corner that launches the replay scrubber. Additionally, you can view just a few names (instead of the entire field) using the favourites function.
RaceCheck Review and Feedback
We would love to hear about your experience at the Cape Wrath Ultra! Please leave us a review via Race Check. After posting your public review, you also have the option to provide private feedback. If you have any specific feedback you would prefer to send directly to us, please e-mail us.
Feedback is incredibly important to us. We are always very eager to hear your thoughts. While we don’t promise to incorporate every piece of feedback received, we do promise to read and consider it carefully. Participant feedback has helped refine and improve the event from one edition to the next and has been crucial in planning our future events.
Event Merchandise
We are delighted that Cape Wrath Ultra® and Cape Wrath Explorer hoodies are now available to order! Please pre-order these by 7th June for a wonderful memento of your adventure.
Inspired to take on the Cape Wrath Ultra?
Entries are now open for our 2026 Cape Wrath Ultra, Cape Wrath Explorer and Cape Wrath 100 events. Take on this epic multi-day journey - Enter now and save with a £99 deposit until the end of June!
What’s next?
Looking for some future inspiration? Take a look at some more events from Ourea Events below:
Looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure? Join us for six epic days of mountain running through stunning Wales! The 2025 Dragon’s Back Race® starts from Conwy Castle and runs the length of Wales, linking many of the country’s iconic mountain summits, to finish in Cardiff Castle on the South coast of Wales. With the brilliant Hatchling option, you can be sure of an amazing running holiday in Wales.
See more over on our YouTube channel!
Monday 1st to Saturday 6th September 2025 - LAST FEW PLACES
Join us for a “sensational” weekend of trail running with your favourite podcast hosts: Eddie & Gary!
The route connects the exceptional trails of the Northern Lake District fells, featuring some of the most iconic Wainwright summits and offering fabulous views over Derwent Water and beyond. With route options of approximately 50km and 30km, the fully waymarked and marshalled course encompasses a blend of mountain trails, valley paths, and country lanes - ideal for enjoyable trail running with friends. We’ll keep you energised with refreshment stops filled with cake, cheese and pickle sandwiches, and, of course, plenty of tea!
Friday 27th – Sunday 29th June 2025 ENTRIES OPEN
WOMEN ONLY RACE. It’s no secret the Peak District is home to some of the most beautiful trails in the country. Setting off from the popular town of Hathersage, you will run along the famous edges, with sweeping views at every turn, before passing through the iconic Chatsworth Park and onto the Monsal Trail.
Peak District 2nd August 2025 - ENTRIES NOW OPEN!
Salomon Skyline Scotland® was established in 2015 and featured just one race, the iconic Glen Coe Skyline®. The event then moved to Kinlochleven in 2016 and grew to nine races. It featured in the Skyrunning World Series, Golden Trails World Series, and Spartan Trail and Ultra World Championships and hosted the Skyrunning World Championships. Salomon Skyline Scotland® established itself as a world-class mountain and trail running event, attracting 2,000+ participants from up to 50 countries annually and has generated millions of pounds of economic impact for the Lochaber region.
After a break last year, we are returning to relaunch in 2025, bigger and better than before with seven new races! The Ben Nevis Skyline has been selected as a Golden Trail World Series qualifier race.
Saturday 20th September 2025 - ENTRIES OPEN NOW
Jacobite 100 (100km / 2,400m)
Ben Nevis Skyline (29km / 1,800m) - SOLD OUT
Steall Marathon (42km / 2,200m)
Aonach Mor Anarchy (12km / 600m)
Trail Marathon (42km / 300m)
Trail Half Marathon (21km / 300m)
Trail 10k (10km / 200m)
KENDAL MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL – TRAIL RUN AND ULTRA
Taking place over the bustling Kendal Mountain Festival weekend, the popular not-for-profit Adidas TERREX Kendal Trail Run and The NORTH FACE Kendal Skyline Ultra offer trail lovers and festival goers their fix of fresh air, fells and Lake District weather. With 10km and 50km distances over grassy and undulating trails, these courses pack a punch whilst being runnable and offering fantastic views over Kendal and the surrounding Lake District fells.
Saturday 22nd November 2025 - BEAT THE PRICE RISE!
NORTHERN, LAKES, DALES & MOORS TRAVERSE®
A popular series of ultra’s ranging from 300km - 55km following Wainwright’s coast to coast route from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay. The events span three spectacular national parks and have a strong adventurous ethos and culture of self-sufficiency. With 2026 entries for the Northern Traverse sold out already, why not experience the 100km Lakes Traverse crossing the entire Lake District National Park…
2026 Dates - 28th March - 1st April