UK runners Danny Smith and Bridget Glaister have been crowned winners at the 2024 CAPE WRATH ULTRA, after completing an eight-day, 400km race through the Scottish Highlands. Danny was the overall winner of the race in a total time of 50 hours, 28 minutes and 18 seconds. He finished ahead of Henry Gurney (51:55:25), with Adam Watkin in third (54:24:28).
Veteran ultra-runner Bridget Glaister won the women’s race and was seventh overall in 59:49:41, ahead of second woman Elsa Morgan, who was eighth overall in 60:36:48 and Charlotte Hurst (63:23:10). Bridget and Elsa ran a closely fought race, exchanging the lead on several occasions.
The annual Cape Wrath Ultra is organised by expedition race specialist Ourea Events and attracts some of the world’s best ultra runners. On Sunday 19 May, 172 runners from 19 nations started the race just outside Fort William, which took competitors through some of Scotland’s most spectacular landscapes, including Knoydart, Kintail, Torridon, Assynt and Sutherland. Each day, runners had to reach checkpoints and the evening camp before cut-off times or they were timed out of the full event.
Only 57 participants completed the full Cape Wrath Ultra. Among them in 34th place was David Fergusson, a gamekeeper and deerstalker, who signed up after being inspired by watching the action in previous years when the race passed through the estate that he works on. Many of the athletes who were timed out stayed with the race, to tackle the shorter Cape Wrath Explorer option and complete their journey through the Highlands.
Danny Smith ran with Henry Gurney and Adam Watkin during the final day. After his win, he said, “I feel pretty high to be honest. We were chatting on the final kilometres about highs and lows. There were a few lows. Yesterday traipsing through the final bog was pretty low, but the highs have outweighed those for sure.
“I came to try it out, but it’s been incredible and I’ve been so fortunate to run with amazing people. Sadly, I was fortunate that the guys who were out in front have been ill or injured, and I hope they make good recoveries. I want to say thanks to all the organising team, and volunteers and fellow competitors. I’m very, very grateful to have shared this Cape Wrath Ultra journey with everyone.”
The 2025 Cape Wrath Ultra will take place from 18-25 May next year; entries will open on 31 May 2024.
Header pic: Top three men and women runners in this year’s Cape Wrath Ultra
All images: ©Cape Wrath Ultra® | No Limits Photography
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