THE CAPE WRATH

CHALLENGES

A Totally Unique Experience

May 14th to the 20th 2006

Saturday 20th.   DAY 6 THE CAMPBELL LUTYENS   

CAPE WRATH CHALLENGE 26.2 miles

  

It is essential that every participant understands that this is quite unlike a normal road race. It is extremely challenging, including a  climb of over 2,415 feet and is the most north westerly run on mainland Britain.

  • Some will be doing the full 26.2 mile marathon.

  • Some will be doing the marathon as part of a 2, 3, or 5 person team. 

The events  will start  on Cape Side and finish at the village hall. 

Every competitor will be allocated a start time from the village hall and runners will depart in batches of 20 seeded on expected times, with a ferry allocation to cross outward - both a time and boat.  If you are in one of the relay teams and are running a leg out on the Cape you will be given both a ferry crossing time to go out but also a minibus seat to take you to your change over point. It is essential that everyone reads their details beforehand; an individual “Race Card” will give runners precise instructions of where to be… and when.

We ask that everyone in Durness for the 5 days, register BEFORE FRIDAY. Those arriving for the weekend must register on Friday AFTERNOON OR EARLY EVENING

  All competitors should look carefully at the detailed map and think of the following organisational plan;  

  

The ferry crossing from Keoldale to the Cape will be under the control of John Morrison, the Ferry Master, who operates the crossing here throughout the year.  The RETURN trip takes 15 minutes including loading and off loading.

To comply with safety regulations ALL competitors and officials must wear a lifejacket (supplied) during the crossing.

CAPE-SIDE Sections 1,2,3 and 4

The route from the ferry crossing quay to the lighthouse is approx 11 ½ miles each way, along a tarmac surfaced road just wide enough to take a minibus.

Only in the case of a medical emergency will any of the two Cape-side vehicles go out onto the course during the event. If we need to evacuate a casualty, the air ambulance helicopter will land briefly on the  tarmac surface.

  • Sector 1 is from the ferry to Inshore = 4.2 mile

  • Sector 2 is from Inshore to the lighthouse = 6.8  miles

  • Sector 3  is from the lighthouse back to Inshore = 6.8 miles

  • Sector 4 is from Inshore back to the ferry = 4.2 miles

  • Sector 5 is from the ferry to Village Hall = 4.2 miles

The Cape has no resident population but many hikers in summer. To control access when the range is in use, the MOD has installed two brightly coloured huts called Videttes, which form guard posts. These are available to us for use as  marshalling points,  emergency shelter, drinks stations and communication point. Drinks;  water will be available at both ferry points, Vidette 1, Inshore, Vidette 2 and the lighthouse. Marshals; there will be marshals based at both ferry points, Vidette 1, Inshore, Vidette 2 and the lighthouse. There will be roving mobile marshals on quad bikes out on the course- one bike per section. They will keep an eye on runners and, in the event of anyone not being well or falling, can give them a lift to the nearest appropriate base. Below is a profile of the course  to emphasise its arduous nature.   Full details will be issued approximately 6 weeks before the event and will include an example of the Race Registration card that every runner will carry with them for timing and safety purposes.

WE WILL TAKE YOU TO THE MOST NORTHWESTERLY TIP OF MAINLAND BRITAIN AND BACK ON A RUN THAT WILL INCLUDE TWO FERRY CROSSINGS AND SCENERY OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY. 

This could be regarded as the toughest Marathon in the UK

Transport on the Cape - for the duration of the race there will be no possibility of spectators getting access to the Cape as we require use of the ferry boats and the two Cape-side minibuses for the relay runners. Runners doing the full distance will not need any transport save in an emergency.

  Runners competing in the Relay: there may be 2,3, 5 person teams who will operate as follows:

              2 person team:

  • Runner 1 - Ferry to Lighthouse (11 miles) where they need to wait until the end of the Race to get a minibus back to the Ferry

  • Runner 2 - Lighthouse to Ferry (11 miles) and Ferry to Village Hall (4.2 miles)

3 person team: This could vary

  • Runner 1 - Ferry to Lighthouse (11 miles) where they need to wait until the end of the Race to get a minibus back to the Ferry
  • Runner 2 - Lighthouse to Ferry (11 miles)
  • Runner 3 - Ferry to Village Hall (4.2 miles)

5 person team:

  • Runner 1 - Ferry to Inshore (4.2.miles) from where they will walk/jog back to the Ferry
  • Runner 2 - Inshore to Lighthouse (6.8  miles) where they need to wait until the end of the Race to get a minibus back to the Ferry
  • Runner 3 - Lighthouse to Inshore (6.8 miles) from where they can either walk/jog back to the Ferry or wait until the end of the Race to get a minibus.
  • Runner 4 - Inshore to Ferry (4.2 miles)
  • Runner 5 -  Ferry to Village hall ( 4.2 miles)

Runners and spectators who want to visit and further explore the Cape.

  • Option 1-   remember that the ferry and minibus service is open to the public every day that week save for Saturday morning.

  • Option 2 – consider booking a day trek with Cape Adventure International on one of their escorted walks.

  • Option 3 – once our event is concluded (by lunchtime) the ferry and minibus will re-open for the rest of the day.  

Book on line at The Booth

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