The 2018 Cape Wrath Ultra® drew 177 highly motivated runners to gather on the start line in Fort William, Scotland. These were the participants for the 2nd edition of a race that has truly captured the hearts of, and inspired, the international running community. They all had one thing in common; the dream of running to Cape Wrath.

Runners completed the final 26km of the Cape Wrath Ultra today. After eight days, 400km and 11,200m of incredible running, they reached the landmark Cape Wrath Lighthouse, which stands at the most north-westerly point of mainland Britain.

It was an emotional finish for many participants, including 110 competitors and 27 completing the event as non-competitive runners.

Dan Gregory crossed the finish line of the Cape Wrath Ultra 2018 today. Despite being hit by illness early in the race, which prevented him running for 1.5 days, Dan was delighted to re-join the other runners on Day 5 and reach the end point at the Cape Wrath Lighthouse, the most northwesterly point in mainland Britain.

He said: “It has been crazy, tough, so hard, but an amazing experience.”

The final competitor of the Cape Wrath Ultra 2018 reached the finish line at the iconic Cape Wrath Lighthouse at 2.45pm today.

After eight days, 400km and 11,200m of running, 110 people completed the full race, which is described as Scotland’s answer to the Marathon Des Sables.

Another 27 runners also made it to Cape Wrath having completed some, or almost all, of the course.

It was another longer day for the runners in the Cape Wrath Ultra 2018 with yet more superb views as the runners continued north towards the finish line at Cape Wrath (tomorrow).

On Day 7, there were 120 still competing in the Cape Wrath Ultra.  I have heard many people saying: “Slow and steady gets there.”

Many runners raved about the scenery and runnable terrain on Day 7 of the Cape Wrath Ultra 2018. I met them as they descended from high moorland on a wide track that felt soft and forgiving underfoot towards the road crossing at CP3.

As always, the first person to reach the checkpoint was Jim Masters (113), England: He said: “I always leave early and today was lovely. I was out in the countryside on my own and I enjoyed navigating through the moorland. That suits me. I have to say I found the long stretch of tarmac at the end a slog though. But we’re nearly there now and that feels good.”

There are some participants who remain steadfast in their cheerfulness throughout the Cape Wrath Ultra 2018. There are others who have found it a tough event from the very start and, at times, they have looked very challenged. But for most people, there is a mix of highs and lows.

The ups and downs can change by the hour or by the day and as I have run sections of the course chatting to people while they run or walk, I’ve been amazed by how quickly their mood can go from low to high or high to low or many versions of high and low all in one day.

The landscape changed dramatically today as runners headed into the south-west Sutherland region of Assynt. The countryside is more rolling, green and wooded compared to previous days. Assynt is also home to a series of isolated mountains rising dark and stark against a backdrop of big skies, rocks and lochs.

As the days have gone on the Cape Wrath Ultra, it’s clear that a slower and steadier pace is paying off for many of the Cape Wrath Ultra participants. This is not to say they are all slow, rather they are staying within their personal comfort zones and especially on the shorter days.

Another shorter day, although still a mile longer than a marathon, the runners headed into another great Scottish wilderness area, the Fisherfield Forest.