Day eight: Graham Walton and Laura O Driscoll win the Cape Wrath Ultra 2022
Following the most arduous weather conditions in the event’s history, 104 incredible runners have completed the epic Cape Wrath Ultra® after 270 set off last Sunday. The event has lasted eight days, but for our phenomenal participants, it has felt like a lifetime. They have battled through extreme weather, traversed some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, and managed to keep going over 400km of tough terrain.
Our winners this year were Graham Walton and Laura O Driscoll, who both put in some incredible performances, but all our participants have demonstrated their determination and mental toughness in addition to their physical fitness.
Left to right: David Barry (3rd), Graham Walton (1st) and Thomas Øderud (2nd) ©No Limits Photography
Today was the shortest day, with only 16 miles of running before participants finally reached that long-awaited Cape Wrath lighthouse, but on tired legs it was still a challenge.
The route took participants over craggy moorland and by smaller lochs before dropping down into the picturesque Sandwood Bay. It was raining for much of the day, which felt like a fitting end to the journey, given the notoriously difficult weather conditions the participants have faced throughout the week. However, there were some drier sections of the day, when participants were able to truly appreciate the breathtaking landscape. The route finished up at the iconic Cape Wrath Lighthouse, a sight that will be forever etched in the memories of the successful runners.
It’s been a challenge, but runners have come out the other side with a smile ©No Limits Photography
Morale was high on the start line this morning
Today runners were given a mandatory start time, so the fastest runners were set off first. However, even though the runners were all competing with each other to be the first to reach the legendary lighthouse, the atmosphere was not one of competition, but of camaraderie, with race winner, Graham Walton, opting to hang around to set off with one of his new friends.
Thomas Øderud, second runner overall, felt good on the start line. He said, “I’m very ready.”
We asked him to summarise his week on the event. He said: “Camaraderie, adventure, long days, lots of food, lots of tent life.”
Lindsay Hamoudi, fifth overall, was also in an excellent mood on the start line. He said: “I’m pretty stoked to get this done. Trying to avoid being competitive in any way and just trying to have fun, though I want to hold onto fifth.”
It’s been an emotional week for female frontrunner, Laura O Driscoll, after she rolled her ankle only three days into the race. However, she was there bright and early as she headed off in the first start wave. She said: “I was in bits yesterday. I feel a wee bit better this morning after a rest obviously.”
Howard Dracup, 9th overall, summed up his experience so far on the start line. He said: “It’s been memorable. Tough but rewarding – it’s one of those things where sometimes it’s awful then other times it’s great. It’s up and downs, but that’s what every ultra’s like – it’s a mental battle more than anything.”
Happy faces at the finish line ©No Limits Photography
Sandwood Bay was a major milestone moment in the day
Accessible only by foot, the wild, remote beach of Sandwood Bay is one of the main highlights of the whole Cape Wrath route. While the postcards may show the Sandwood Bay in the glorious sunshine, the wild, unspoilt beauty of the golden sands and turquoise ocean seemed even more spectacular and rugged in the stormier windy weather today.
For our participants, reaching Sandwood Bay was a moment of relief, as they realised they were now halfway to the finish. We managed to catch up with several of them as they pressed on, through the tough underfoot sand.
Swedish runner, Niklas Lörfgen, reflected on his epic adventure. He said, “Really tough challenge. Some challenging weather. There’s been so many nice people here to meet and share this with. It’s been a wonderful journey.”
He was running with Claire Gordon, third female, who was looking strong as she pressed on towards the bay. She said, “It’s been quite a challenge. But really quite rewarding.”
Niklas Lörfgen and Claire Gordon had a strong finish ©No Limits Photography
Second female, Vicky Savage, who has been consistently strong throughout the race, seemed in good spirits, as she was met by her partner, friends and two dogs when she reached the golden sands of Sandwood.
Reaching Sandwood Bay was an emotional moment for Jonni Suckling after the conquering arduous conditions and terrain of the previous week. “I took it as a challenge. It’s definitely challenged me. I’ll probably shed a tear once I get to the end, but I’ve done it.”
Ben Gibson was also feeling positive. He said: “It’s been an amazing journey – a hard one. A lifetime experience for sure. One that I’ll remember forever.”
Irene Finnegan summed up her experience on the Cape Wrath Ultra® as she came past: “Wet, wild, boggy, very testing, but enjoying it. Glad I survived.”
The gloriously wild beach of Sandwood Bay is a spectacular finale ©No Limits Photography
“That was a life-changing experience”
For Stuart Taylor, taking part in the Cape Wrath Ultra has been life changing.
“It’s a really difficult thing to put into words. I’m going come back and go ‘that was a life-changing experience’. No doubt about it. I’ve done lots of races before, but I’ve never found the limit where I have to really ask myself ‘am I going to carry on or do I give up?’ I had to do it this week.”
“That was the whole singular reason for coming, was to find where the limit was, and I found it. I managed to push through which is hugely satisfying. Right now I’m feeling a lot of pain and a huge satisfaction knowing I’ve nearly finished it.”
Like many others, it is the people who had made the experience for Stuart. “We were sitting in the tent this morning and I think people were on the edge of insanity. People are just hysterical – you don’t know whether to laugh or cry. The conversation is very raw and very unguarded and very unmeasured. I was in the tent with Canadians and Germans and Dutch people and they all just came together. We just egged each other on, which was really powerful.”
The friendships formed along the way are a real highlight ©No Limits Photography
Graham Walton and Laura O Driscoll are the Cape Wrath Ultra champions
While Canadian, Nick Sunderland, was the first runner to reach the iconic Cape Wrath lighthouse today, Graham Walton was the first overall, after an absolutely phenomenal performance of endurance.
He had worked extremely hard in the final few days of the event to achieve his impressive lead. After finding out a few days prior that he was in second place rather than first place as originally thought, he has since been pushing hard to gain back time.
It’s been an incredible week for Graham. He said, “It’s just tiring, but met some nice buddies. It’s been a long way – wet and cold. It’s been magical, I suppose. Bit of magic out there. I reckon I saw a white deer on the second day. It’s nice to have a little link with nature. It’s nice just moving through the environment.”
Graham’s incredible run is proof of his competitive streak, but he also enjoyed watching the other participants compete with each other for a higher spot on the leaderboard.
He said, “Magnus set off like a train this morning just trying to beat Lindsay. Then Lindsay realised what was happening and came flying past – that was quite exciting. But I just went nice and steady. Nick won the day – Canadian Nick. He was at the head first I think. He’s been super keen to win each day. The other day he chased me down for the last 4k into town.”
Despite enduring eight whole days of incredibly tough running, Graham seemed in good spirits when we caught up with him at the final camp in Keoldale. “I feel strong. Fully charged and ready to go now. I’m going to go for a jump in the lake over there,” he said, indicating the beautiful loch next to the camp.
Graham Walton has had a phenomenal run ©No Limits Photography
It was an emotional moment for Laura O Driscoll as she reached the Cape Wrath lighthouse, becoming the first woman in the race. She has had an absolutely incredible race, having bounced back from a nasty ankle injury on only the third day.
She said, “I’m so sore, but I’m so happy. The painkillers today were helpful, but I’ll be in a world of pain for a while.”
She was welling up when we spoke to her in Keoldale. “I’m emotional. It’s one of the hardest weeks I’ve had. I’m speechless. It’s tough – mentally and physically. But the people made it.”
She was sad though to have not finished with her partner. “It’s such an epic week. I’m sorry Johnny didn’t finish with me though. That’s my only sad bit really. He fell into the river the day before yesterday. He’s good now. It would have been lovely if he finished. That’s the only sad part.”
However, this certainly spurred her on. “It puts the pressure on – if he’s not finishing I have to finish.”
Watching Laura push on despite her injury has been truly inspiring. Her resilience and determination in the face of adversity has been incredible to watch, and her win is very well-deserved.
Laura O Driscoll’s incredible resilience has been wonderful to observe ©No Limits Photography
It’s been a magical eight days
What a week it has been! Our participants have been tested, some of them to their extreme limits, with the wild weather of the Scottish Highlands making it an even more arduous challenge than usual. However, watching the determination and resilience of these incredible athletes as they push themselves onwards has been absolutely phenomenal. Many of our runners have made friends for life from all corners of the globe, and their memories on Cape Wrath Ultra will stay with them for years to come. It goes without saying that all our participants, whether they were the winner, in last place, or one of the non-competitive runners, should be extremely proud of their superhuman achievements.
What an amazing journey it has been! ©No Limits Photography
Day Eight Results
Top 3 Men on the 2022 Cape Wrath Ultra:
Graham Walton (50:10:17)
Thomas Øderud (51:51:33)
David Barry (53:02:51)
Top 3 Women on the 2022 Cape Wrath Ultra:
Laura O Driscoll (61:26:06)
Vicky Savage (63:05:23)
Claire Gordon (65:32:50)
Top 3 Men on Day Eight:
Nick Sunderland (02:56:08)
Graham Walton (02:59:35)
Jack Edwards (03:00:20)
Top 3 Women on Day Eight:
Laura O Driscoll (04:06:00)
Claire Gordon (04:06:16)
Vicky Savage (04:08:54)
Runners could relax at the finish line and be proud of their achievement ©No Limits Photography
Feeling inspired?
If our incredible participants have left you yearning to make that journey to the lighthouse for yourself, entries are open for the 2023 Cape Wrath Ultra. Join us for a life-changing adventure on a world-class expedition race through the best landscape Scotland has to offer:
Join the 2023 adventure ©No Limits Photography