Having been disappointed to not get a place on the Devil of the Highlands I was hunting around for another event for the calendar and this caught my eye. With a distance of 30 miles, about as short as Ultras come, how hard could it be?
The days leading up were the usual mix of emotions, pouring over the route map, other peoples strava stats, past results. I came to conclusion that 5 hours was my goal which pretty much meant 8 min/mile on the flat sections.
I had a charity ball in Duffus on the Friday night so it was a 4.45am alarm call (I was already awake to be fair). A nice clear drive meant I arrived in plenty of time at 7.45 for a 9am start. Registration was in the village hall in Glenelg. A pretty little village on the shore that looks over to the south of Skye. Bacon was on the grill but I resisted the temptation as I didn’t want to mess with my usual pre-race rituals. Neil arrived having spent the night in a tent fighting off midges.
It was made clear that this was a self supporting race with a couple of water stops but no drop bags. Weather was overcast but humid with the threat of showers so packed a waterproof but shed most other stuff out my backpack other than 1.5 litres in the waterbladder, a few gels and a couple of mini bags of emergency haribo.
9am we were off along with a good crowd doing the walking challenge. Straightaway I found 
myself in second place as we trotted off down the round. I settled into a comfortable pace as the leader stretched away. I was going quicker than I had planned but a few minutes in the bank for later is always good. After 2.5 miles you leave the tarmac onto the trails. The first section winded through the woods before hitting a beachside path before the first checkpoint around mile 7 (no water available). Straight after you are met with the first big climb before turning off the track and heading into a muddy rollercoaster few miles. Hard to find much rhythm with ankle deep mud and short sharp climbs and descents so it was a welcome relief to start the final descent down to the lochside. Now on a single track road, it was approximately 6 miles to the next checkpoint at Shiel Bridge. Ordinarily it would be an attractive run past old cottages and fishing boats but today it was just about getting the head down and eating up some miles at my race pace target. Pleased to reach the next checkpoint around mile 16, I asked if they had any water and they pointed up the track saying there was a tap. A bit peeved I set off but must have missed it and so found myself starting the main ascent of the day. It was generally good path for the first couple of miles and I managed to keep running but as the gradient grew my legs were seriously protesting so I was reduced to striding. I got my first glimpse of the leader ahead but he was well up the hill. It was one of those endless climbs and I kept glancing back to see who was behind but couldn’t see anyone. 
My water supplies diminishing and legs spent, I was in a bad place so relieved to reach the summit. I dug deep to try and get the legs moving again but the rocky and gravelly path was technical and you had to have your wits about you. The path then moved into moorland so I was able to pick up a little more pace. I was glad to reach the next checkpoint where the nice men had big bottles of water and filled up my water bladder. Next up was some forest track to a bothy before taking a well trodden footpath back towards Glenelg. It was about 8 miles to go and I was really struggling. The path was what you would normally describe as gently undulating but today they were mountains. I was sure runners behind would be closing in but still no sign yet. I took my last gel and my emergency haribo. ‘Eat the miles’ was my mantra as I dug in trying to tick off the miles… I had 6 miles to go at just under 4 hours so I knew that sub 5 was on. I was visualising my usual routes at home – 5 miles – that’s running to Burghead from home, 4 miles – thats like running to Hopeman and back, 3 miles – that’s the parkrun, 2 miles – that’s the cycle path to Hopeman, 1.5 miles – that’s one parkrun lap, 1 mile to go….. Now back on the coast the village was in sight. Nice and flat then suddenly a surprise incline for absolutely no reason other than pure evil as it was straight back down again and then 400m to the finish at the Village Hall. Phew – second place in 4 hours 46 mins. The winner coming in in 4hr 32mins. I needn’t have worried as 3rd place was around 5hr 7mins. Neil cruised in at around 5hr 36mins and I think a top 10 finish. He had a strong last few miles overtaking a couple of folk.
We both agreed that it was a lot tougher than we expected. A course that had everything – road, trails, mud, rocks, hill and scenery. There was a good atmosphere in the village hall with plenty of food and for those staying on for the evening a ceilidh. At £20 odd it is good value – a medal and certificate but no goody bag. Water at every checkpoint would have been simple enough and welcome but otherwise well organised.
It was nice to phone home and when Isla (6) asked if I won the ‘Ed’ race I could also tell her yes and also that I came 2nd overall – a rare occurrence.
Report by: Ed Dunbar