Nicole Morgan

The Cape Wrath Ultra is easily the toughest but by far the best challenge I have ever embarked on! I went into it looking forward to the highs and aware there would be real lows, but I definitely hadn’t realised what an incredible experience it would be. The people make it, and the camaraderie is like nothing else I’ve ever experienced in a race.

The race

And just like that we were on our way; a race that starts with tea and biscuits seemed like my kind of thing. My mantra for day one was to take it easy, and I thought I was doing just that until I realised the previous endeavours of my new running pals. But fresh legs and the excitement of it all kept me tootling along and I was at the first camp with plenty time to work out a routine, get some food and meet my new tent mates. Alarm set for 5.30am which I thought was a bit early for a 7am start but turns out that was just the first lesson I learnt – time disappears in the mornings.

Day 2 was full of bogs and if you made it through without a tumble, I doff my cap! I had never properly visited Knoydart and it was pretty special to pass through such remote landscape and even have some sunshine as we got to Barrisdale. The last section was easily the longest 5k I’ve ever run, but there’s nothing better than seeing those blue tents as you come round that last corner (they’re just passed the rhododendrons).

Kintail has got to be one of my favourite places and I was in my element as I ran down towards Shiel Bridge. I remember running past Martin, while being called a ‘mountain goat’ and shouting ‘I’m having too much fun’ – I would see him later when I was cracking into the salty snacks, absolutely goosed at the top of the second climb. I ate so much food on Day 3 and it didn’t seem to touch the sides. A can of coke to the rescue at checkpoint 3 finally had me boosting along to camp. That night was my first visit to the medic tent after tweaking my ankle, but nothing two cheesecakes couldn’t remedy.

Day 4 and what a day it was! For a lot it was the worst day, with some of the most challenging weather conditions. In fairness, if it were any other day, I’d have looked at the weather and likely rearranged my plans. I’m not sure what this says about me, but it was honestly my favourite day of the race. It was the day my body realised I wasn’t stopping so it was just going to get on with it!

Day 5 was fondly viewed as a rest day, just a nice easy ‘mountain marathon’– I know…we’d lost our minds! That morning was my first major low; a lot of competitors had retired and hugging goodbye to tentmates and runners I’d been alongside each day took it out of me. You get such a boost from the wee conversations you have as you pass by each other, and knowing that they’d gone home made me focus a bit too much on what hurt. No matter how physically strong you are, the mental side of these challenges should never be underestimated. A wee cry on the hillside and some stern words from my tentmate Claire knocked me out of it, and as I chased her pink jacket, I realised I was there to fight another day. The clouds cleared as the day went on, crossing familiar terrain towards Dundonnel and then over to Inverbroom.

I’d very much entered cankle territory by day 6. There is a lot of runnable terrain on this leg but some big river crossings added to the challenge. Laura and I ran together until checkpoint 2 (where she thought her race might be over) and I took on the flatter fire roads by myself before the last up and over to Inchnadamph lifted my spirits. The best moment by far was seeing Laura cross the line…she never gave up!

Day 7 taught us that morning ultramail leads to an emotional start – those little words of encouragement from friends and family were invaluable. Laura and I tackled the full day together and I was so thankful for her company. A good climb out of Inchnadamph to warm us up and technical terrain got the day off to a great start. I even remembered to look up and see the waterfall - Eas a’Chual Aluinn looking fairly spectacular after so much rainfall. The afternoon was sloppy, and the endless bog of doom tried (but failed) to take us for everything we had left. Down into Camp, there was a hot shower waiting, but ruthlessly placed up the smallest of inclines, leading to a hilarious, yet rather pathetically slow shuffle back to the tent. After dinner I felt (and looked) utterly broken; I’d covered most of that daunting map, but 16 more miles felt impossible. Hoping I’d feel better in the morning, I got into bed and was out like a light.

It truly is amazing what rest and a bit of k-tape can do! Despite all the aches, we marched our way across Sandwood Bay and marvelled as that lighthouse got closer and closer! I crossed the line with 3 incredible girls that had dug just as deep to get there. There’s even a café at the end with the best sandwich you’ll ever have and a chance to spend that £50 you haven’t needed for the taxi home!

Reflections

It was only when we sat down to watch the official films that it begun to sink in what we’d all achieved. I pushed myself harder than I’d ever done before to finish this race and I’ve come away with so much more than a medal! Thanks to everyone that played a part in my Cape Wrath journey; the phenomenal event team, fellow runners and tentmates, the physios sticking me back together, my friends, family, colleagues and everyone else cheering me on – you are all amazing!

So if you’re thinking of signing up, I wholeheartedly recommend you to do so. It won’t be easy but you will have an unforgettable experience no matter what happens out there. 

A couple tips from me:

• Train with poles – when I first started using them my arms would ache after so it’s worthwhile practising; they will save you out there

• Flip flops are useless – take waterproof shoes for the campsites and make sure your feet are dry for as long as possible each evening

• Places that don’t usually chafe do so after 3 days of running in wet kit – pack some Sudocrem

• Vary your food so you don’t get bored of fuelling. A double pork pie day provided great excitement and I truly believe a can of coke has lifesaving properties

• Embrace every part of the experience – it’s utter madness but you’re surrounded by 300+ equally mad people that have a story to tell. Speak to them and the distance will sort itself out