Participant Blog
“I’d decided in 2023 to run a few events this year to celebrate and challenge my running and life, and when Cape Wrath Ultra popped up it seemed like an appropriately big challenge.”
“Cape Wrath Ultra is the perfect mix of stunning scenery, challenging terrain, camaraderie & food (lots and lots of food). It was truly breathtaking at times - perhaps in more than one way.”
“The result means a lot to me but pails into insignificance as the experience was so rewarding; spectacular scenery, remote wilderness, comradeship, pain, laughter, tears and incredible memories.”
“It is the unrelenting enthusiasm and encouragement of all the event volunteers that fosters a sense of self belief among the challengers. I cannot speak highly enough of atmosphere that this creates, it’s truly remarkable.”
“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.”
“I've never felt such a joy of achievement as I did coming across Sandwood Bay and then finally up the path to the Lighthouse.”
“I learned that everybody has their own reasons for doing these epics, their own journey, and I learned so much from my new trail hero friends.”
“The landscapes are amazing – the energy and power of this wild place is unforgettable.”
“That evening the camp was a beautiful site nestled in a glen next to a beautiful loch with mountains all around. I took a dip in the loch, and just chilled out around camp before we all congregated to watch the excellent race movies and finally pick up my medal. What an amazing 8 days!”
“The Cape Wrath Ultra is the only race I have ever done twice, the high quality of the route, with the perfect mix of technical trail and challenging mountain running, taking in the absolute best bits of awesome remote terrain that Scotland has to offer - all makes for an unforgettable adventure”
“Cape Wrath Ultra is a fantastic running experience like no other, from the spectacular scenery, the camaraderie with fellow competitors, amazing camp set ups and brilliant camp teams, the organisation is second to none. My top tip: prepare your feet now, get them used to plenty of boggy, wet, heathery running/ walking, with enough prep in the right terrain you can enjoy a blister free 8 days of running in true wilderness!”
“8 of the most tortuous, adventurous, epic, amazing days of my life”
“It was then I learnt the hard way that Cape Wrath miles are not like normal miles. I think it was about 6 miles to camp so I remember thinking an hour / an hour and half to camp – it turned out to be nearer three hours!! A single track path which went up and down, rocky underfoot, overgrown with heath and bracken – it literally felt like we were never going to make camp!!”
“So, next May at the start line, I’ll be the old fat bloke who looks like he’s stumbled into the race by mistake. I’ll be the guy at the back chasing the cut offs, finishing late, and suffering hard. However, with a bit of luck, and a following wind, I’ll also be the old fat bloke at the lighthouse in 8 day’s time!”
The Cape Wrath Ultra® and it’s sister event, the Dragon’s Back Race® are both tough but spectacular multi-stage ultrarunning expedition races that will take you on incredible mountain journeys here in the UK. Alan Li has completed both races and here gives us the lowdown on his experiences and what to expect from each event…
“There are no words to express the feelings that erupt after a year and a week of so much hard work, crazy dreaming, and deepening inspiration”
“Things didn’t go quite to plan, neither in training nor in the race. Here’s my story. I hope it helps you prepare if you're doing the 2021 Cape Wrath Ultra, or inspires you to sign up for the 2022 Cape Wrath Ultra, or just gives you a nice 20 mins or so of interesting running film to watch!”
“What made it special were the people. Your fellow runners are just as mad as you and everyone, and I mean everyone, is happy to blether away at any point in the day, or night. They motivate you, make you laugh, offer advice, share stories about their day, remove ticks, and pick you up when you fall. We are all facing the same challenges and that sense of shared adversity creates bonds like super glue”
“Day 8, the final day and the sun was still shining. What a way to finish along the glorious Sandwood Bay and then there it was; the lighthouse. I had made it. I was elated, proud and felt a great sense of belonging. It was a truly remarkable journey”
Our event volunteers give up their time and energy to support our awesome participants on their journey north. Here they share their reasons for choosing to volunteer on the Cape Wrath Ultra.
Read some top tips from those who have already been there and done it with some great advice from our 2018 Cape Wrath Ultra participants!
“I am excited for the challenge and excited to discover a new sport and find some exciting trails, and I’m excited to take everyone with me on my wee journey to the start line. You never know I might even make it to the finish line!”
“The wilderness of the Scottish Highlands is the most beautiful landscape I’ve ever experienced but there was so much more to my Cape Wrath Ultra experience…”
“The Cape Wrath Ultra was an incredible journey through some beautiful parts of Scotland, but more than that, it was the start of some very special friendships!”
Bringing poetry to the Scottish Highlands