Today participants gathered in Fort William to register for the Cape Wrath Ultra, an awesome expedition race that sees participants take on an epic 8-day journey north from Fort William on the famously challenging Cape Wrath trail.

As the self-proclaimed ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’, Fort William is a fitting place for the start of such a challenging ultra race. Nestled at the foot of the UK’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis, it draws outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. That is particularly true today, with so many international runners coming to participate in this epic challenge.

Over 300 runners representing 25 different nations are due to set off from the start line tomorrow from the shore opposite Fort William. Some participants have travelled from as far afield as Malaysia, the USA and Mexico.

*Everyone was excited for their adventure ©No Limits Photography*

Participants share their reasons for signing up

It was typical Scottish weather today, with the sound of rain on the tent roof adding to the sound of excited chatter in the registration tent. However, there was still an excited buzz as participants lined up to collect their exclusive race maps, get their kit checked and drop off their dry bags that will be transported for them between the camps.

As participants excitedly gathered to register, we managed to chat to some of them about their motivations for signing up.

John Spencer had signed up to celebrate a milestone birthday. “It’s my sixtieth birthday, so it’s a present to myself. That’s why I chose this event, to celebrate being sixty.” He was looking forward to tackling his Scottish adventure.

For David Holmes, Cape Wrath Ultra is unfinished business: “I did it last year in August and only made it up to Day 2 because I suffered from heat exhaustion. I learnt a few lessons, so I’m looking forward to the challenge of that. That’s my first hurdle – finishing Day 2, because I didn’t last year. Hopefully from there it will be fine.”

*Many have been looking forward to their challenge for months ©No Limits Photography*

Amy, from Scotland, signed up after seeing a Youtube video of a previous event.

“I did a couple of events as stepping stones to get here. This is the big one,” she said. This is Amy’s longest event to date, but it’s a challenge she is looking forward to conquering.

“I’m looking forward to the scenery, the camaraderie, mixing with like-minded folk, being in the moment and escaping from everything for a while. Just concentrating on moving forward – it’s nice just to think about that. Eating and moving forward is all I have to do.”

Gary Chapman was looking for an ultra challenge when he signed up.

“We were just about to sign up for the MDS (Marathon des Sables) then we saw this event and thought, that is far more attractive than MDS. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to see the most remote part of the British Isles. It’s the most stunning area and I’ve just never been able to explore it.”

He has a good strategy to keep him going: “I’ll walk every hill and eat loads. I’ll rest every night – it won’t be easy, but I’ll be disappointed if I don’t make it to the end.”

*Participants going through the all-important kit check ©No Limits Photography*

Some runners have travelled a long way to participate

Alison Grubbs and Glenn Bland have come all the way from the West Coast of the USA to compete – Alison from Oregon and Glenn from California.

“I’d done some ultra running before and I saw this on social media a few years back, actually pre-Covid, so I’ve been looking forward to this,” Glenn said.

Glenn then persuaded Alison to come along.

“I’ve never been to Scotland before so I’m just stoked to be here,” Alison said. “The weather is exactly what it’s like where I’m from so it’s perfect – I love it.”

Glenn is also one of the few runners who is excited for the Scottish weather. “Where I’m from is quite arid and I’m looking forward to some cooler weather.”

Kim Bosman has also journeyed from outside the UK, coming from Belgium. This is her second time in Scotland, though her first time taking on this kind of challenge. “Four years ago I came to Scotland with my husband. We came to Fort William and we ran on Ben Nevis and because it was so cool I wanted to come back and do this race.”

*The wet weather didn’t dampen moods ©No Limits Photography*

Frontrunner, Simon Roberts, is “Quietly confident”

There is some fierce competition in the men’s race with both Simon Roberts, winner of the 2021 Montane Dragon’s Back Race®, and Howard Dracup, third finisher in the Montane Spine Challenger North set to battle it out. In the women’s field, Laura O’Driscoll, an Irish ultra-runner with numerous wins under her belt, and Lake District based Megan James, who has already completed the demanding Montane Dragon’s Back Race® in 2019, set to be frontrunners. However, with so many runners entered, it really could be anyone’s game.

We caught up with Simon Roberts at registration.

“I’m pretty excited,” he said. “I’ve never been up this way before so each day is going to be a nice surprise which is something I’m looking forward to – the adventure each day.”

It will be a very different challenge to the Montane Dragon’s Back Race® though.

“Straightaway the conditions are not looking the best for the week, so it’s gonna be a very wet experience. On Dragon’s Back Race I’ve never had a really wet experience – it’s always been gorgeous weather, so that will be different to this one.”

Finding the route is also going to be more of a challenge here. “Navigation’s going to be interesting on this one, because I’ve never been here. I was looking at my map and there’s lots of trackless paths and trackless areas so that will be a challenge. I’m up for that though.”

Despite the challenge, Simon is feeling good.

“I’m quietly confident. I had Covid a month ago, so it’s been a bit of a grind coming back from that, but I’m feeling good. I will just race my race and see how it goes.”

Simon Roberts is feeling strong © No Limits Photography

The adventure begins tomorrow

Tomorrow morning, a boat will take our brave participants to the start line in Trislaig. They will start in three waves at 11:00, 11:30 and 12:00 to begin their incredible journey north. They have a tough eight days ahead of them, but they will be treated to some spectacular scenery and enjoy the camaraderie along the way. At the moment though, the iconic Cape Wrath lighthouse, their final destination, seems a very long way off for these intrepid runners.

Follow the journey

GPS tracking goes live at 11:00 BST tomorrow. You can find out how to follow our participants on their journey, and how to send them Ultra Mail, here:

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY HERE