Day three on the 2024 Cape Wrath Ultra – A challenging day sees a shake up in the women's field
If runners thought yesterday was tough, today was a monster. While not the longest day on the route, Day 3 is generally agreed to be the toughest, with over 2000m of climb over rocky and rough terrain. However, the main challenge today was an unusual one for the Scottish Highlands – heat. The sun was beating down on our participants as they negotiated the tough climbs and runnable valleys.
The glorious sunshine meant that the views of the Saddle and Five Sisters of Kintail, which are often shrouded in cloud, were today on full display. One highlight of the day was also visiting the remote Falls of Glomach, a spectacular waterfall famous as the most voluminous falls in the UK.
The Falls of Glomach were spectacular today ©No Limits Photography
There were some start line nerves
Once again, the start line was busy at 7am today, with participants keen to maximise their chances of reaching the finish at Camp 3. While the atmosphere was generally full of positivity, there was a definite air of apprehension – there was a tough day ahead.
We spoke to some of the competitors as they busied themselves preparing for the race.
Charlotte Hurst is here with her partner Giles Palmer. The pair have worked out exactly what timings to run to.
“We’re mildly competitive, so we don’t want to dawdle,” Giles Palmer said.
Charlotte said, “The scenery is incredible and I don’t think there’s any other way you’d experience it other than doing something like this so I feel really lucky.”
Jonas Holmberg has come all the way from Sweden to take part. He struggled in yesterday’s heat. He said, “The first thing I did when I got into camp was I went into the stream and got in for twenty minutes.”
He had a good tactic for today: “I am going to go a bit slower and get enough food and find a good pace. It’s my first multi day. It’s a really, really beautiful environment.”
Artist in residence Elaine Bisson paints the runners as they pass ©No Limits Photography
Shiel Bridge was a welcome sight for hot runners
After tackling the rocky descent from the col beneath the famous Munro, the Saddle, runners dropped down into the small settlement of Shiel Bridge.
The beautiful Loch Duich was still as a mirror as participants arrived into Checkpoint 1 at Shiel Bridge. This was a rare opportunity for participants to pass through some civilization, and the Wee Bun House Café was doing a roaring trade with runners and Event Team alike stocking up on cold drinks, cakes and sandwiches.
While the frontrunners pushed through without stopping, many runners took the opportunity to refuel. Even those who came in after the guidance time of 11:30 seemed in no rush to leave, with many lingering long after the guidance time to get some well-deserved cold refreshments.
Elsa Morgan was the first through the checkpoint. She was running through at quite a pace with Adam Holloway and Gordon Glancy.
She said, “We’ve had an absolutely lovely morning. It was beautiful up high. A beautiful blue sky but a bit of a slog up. Going up that first climb everyone stopped to take their clothes off. I’m very much just taking it a step at a time. It’s fantastic running with these guys because they know the route!”
There were some river crossings to tackle ©No Limits Photography
Mark Howell was in incredibly good spirits as he came running through. He said,
“I’m surprisingly good considering how sore my legs were this morning. Once I got going they were okay. The top bit this morning was tough, but coming along the ridge was absolutely incredible and it had a nice descent down. It’s been relatively flat since and nice to get into a rhythm.”
We asked how he was feeling about the next section. He said, “I’m a little bit nervous, but bring it on!”
“My favourite bit so far has been a mixture between camp and some of the views. The setup is phenomenal. It’s absolutely incredible. The logistics must be ridiculous, but it’s so so good!”
Taz De Page is returning to run the Cape Wrath Ultra® for the second year in a row, having travelled all the way from Belgium to do so. He said, “The terrain is easier this year because it’s drier but it’s hard staying hydrated and making sure you have enough electrolyte.”
Roger Warnock, Chris Ross and Alan Elwood from Ireland, termed ‘the Three Amigos’ are running the race as a trio in order to raise funds for mental health in young people. They were going well and were comfortably ahead of the guidance time when they came striding through the checkpoint at Shiel Bridge.
Roger said, “Last night was a bit touch and go because my feet fell apart yesterday, but today it seems okay.”
Chris “The scenery today I thought was spectacular, the climb up to the Saddle this morning.”
Roger said, “I try not to think about the next section – just one foot in front of the other. If we can get through today unscathed we’ll be okay for the rest of the week. Slow and easy – that’s the motto.”
“The aim is to get to the next checkpoint around 2 and then we can go at snail’s pace after that.”
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The sharp Forcan Ridge provided a stunning backdrop ©No Limits Photography
There was a switch up in the women’s field today
Elsa Morgan has had a storming run today, having battled Bridget Glaister all day. Ultimately, she came out on top and was the fastest woman on the day. Her stunning performance now puts her 6 minutes ahead of Bridget overall.
Elsa has moved her way up to the lead from having not even been in the top 3 on Day 1, proving that she is clearly getting stronger the longer she goes.
However, Bridget Glaister had another storming run today and was making light work of the hills.
She was moving well throughout the day. When we caught up with her she was running well on the road out of checkpoint 1. She said, “My legs are solid if I can just keep toddling along at this pace on the flats and look forward to the hills!”
Bridget Glaister negotiating a rocky section near the Saddle ©No Limits Photography
While Elsa may have snuck into the lead, we get the feeling that Bridget isn’t done fighting yet, and it looks like it could be an exciting race in the women’s field.
Bringing up third in the women’s field is US runner Erin Smith, who has been consistently strong in the race working her way up in the field.
Meanwhile in the men’s field, Lewis Taylor was the second man into the finish despite being one of the last to set off in the morning, and has once again extended his lead. Despite having a comfortable lead, he still had enough energy for a sprint finish, where he fell down to the ground at the Finish Line. His dad is volunteering on the event and had come out to see him in.
He said, “The middle 25km was tough. It was really sunny and I was trying to keep focussed going trhough a bad patch. I was trying to hoof it through. I had some people in front of me, so I would catch them up and run with them for a bit before going on my way which was quite nice.”
“Going up from the bottom of the Falls of Glomach I felt really good – I was just cruising along.”
He appreciated the support from a fellow participant. He said, “Bridget, first female, saved my race. I got a blister on my big toe and could feel it just before the Falls of Glomach. I just passed her and she passed me and gave me some tape! I owe her at least a pint!”
Swiss runner Ludwig Antilli had another strong day of running and remains in second place, while British runner Jason Leaf has moved up into third place.
While Lewis Taylor has nearly an hour lead on Ludwig, a lot can change in a race of this length, and there is still all to play for.
Ludwig was moving well through the landscape ©No Limits Photography
It was a difficult day but tomorrow brings new challenges
It was a day of disappointment for some participants, with a few people struggling to make the cut offs in the unexpected heat. Day 3 always takes its toll, but fortunately, not all is lost – participants on the full course who are cut off at a checkpoint have the option to stay with the event on the Explorer Course, opting to do half days and still ultimately achieve their goal of reaching that famous lighthouse.
Tomorrow, runners have a shorter day of just 35km through Torridon. However, underestimate Day 4 at your own peril – this will be the gnarliest terrain yet, with more of a navigational element than previous days. Plus the tropical temperatures of the past few days is now set to turn, with strong winds and rain forecast to add an extra element of challenge to the runners’ days.
Dropping down towards Shiel Bridge ©No Limits Photography
Results
Overall
Men
Lewis Taylor (20:20:48)
Ludwig Antilli (21:09:54)
Jason Leaf ( 21:34:07)
Women
Elsa Morgan (23:55:01)
Bridget Glaister (24:01:18)
Erin Smith (25:15:19)
Elsa Morgan is now in the lead ©No Limits Photography
On Day 3
Men
Lewis Taylor (09:39:55)
Danny Smith (09:50:36)
Ludwig Antilli (10:05:56)
Women
Elsa Morgan (11:04:29)
Bridget Glaister (11:35:58)
Emma Moore (11:53:38)
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A stunning day in Kintail ©No Limits Photography
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