With four skyrunning races and three trail races taking place across two days, Salomon Skyline Scotland® offers a packed programme for all runners.

 

The event village at Kinlochleven, in Lochaber, Scottish Highlands, also has plenty of entertainment, activities, talks, workshops, food and drink for both spectators and runners.

 

Registration for the Ring of Steall™ was busy this evening and will be open again tomorrow morning from 7am to 8.30am.

 

Participants sign up for their races. © No Limits Photography

 

A race map collected at registration. © No Limits Photography  

 

​A busy registration. © No Limits Photography 

 

Saturday includes: Salomon Mamores VK™

 

A steep and tough push uphill on the Salomon Mamores VK. © No Limits Photography 

 

Tomorrow, Saturday, includes the return of the Salomon Mamores VK™ (Vertical Kilometre).

 

The race follows the International Skyrunning Federation Vertical Kilometer® format in which participants run a marked course gaining 1000m of height in less than 5km. From Kinlochleven there is a leg and lung-busting ascent from sea level to mountain summit.

 

Participants are set off at timed intervals with the winner having the fastest overall time to the summit.

 

In 2021, the Salomon Mamores VK features in the VK OPEN Championship by the International Skyrunning Federation.

 

The Salomon Mamores VK course record is held by Remi Bonnet (M) in 39:23 and Laura Orgue (F) in 51:35.

 

The winners 2019 were Zak Hanna – 44:43; Victoria Wilkinson – 52:39.

 

Stunning scenery and ridges on the Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace. © No Limits Photography 

 

Focus on: Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™

 

The Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™ also takes place tomorrow. It is the final of the Salomon Golden Trail National Series UK this year. 

 

The 29k skyrunning route has a total ascent of 2500m and incorporates two lofty ridges in the Mamores mountain range. There are four mountain summits to reach.

 

Course records are by Kilian Jornet in 3:04 (2018) and Judith Wyder in 3:35 (2019).

 

Why not take advantage of the entertainment at the Skyline Scotland event village before and after heading to the finish line to watch the runners come in? The fastest runners in the Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™ are expected to finish at about noon.

 

The Salomon Golden Trail National Series has already featured three races and the runners to keep your eyes on in the Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™ are Tom Adams, Elsey (Eleanor) Davis and Kirsteen Welch.

 

Tom won two rounds of the series, the Salomon Serpent Trail Race in July and the Salomon Scafell Pike Trail Marathon in August. Elsey was first female at the Scafell Pike Trail Marathon. She leads the series with Kirsteen, who won Salomon Serpent Trail Race.

 

All three are in a great position to book a place to the the GTS Grand Final in the Azores, Portugal, next month.

 

Before the race, Tom said: “I'm really looking forward to the Ring of Steall. I'm potentially a little nervous of how rugged the course may be, but I'll just take it as it comes.  

 

“I've no real idea how I'll place in the field with so many international athletes on the start list, but as always I'll give it everything and then some.

 

“The Golden Trail Series UK have been brilliant this year – impeccably organised and great events to be at.  I'm sure the Ring of Steall won't disappoint.”  

 

Look out for runner Elsey Davis at the finish line. © No Limits Photogpaphy

 

Elsey said: “I am excited about the race and I’ve heard lots of good things about the course. I think it will be a nice challenge for me. 

 

“I’ve never done a Skyrace before so I’m mainly hoping to get around in one piece and enjoy it in the process.”

 

Donnie Campbell, who holds the record for the fastest round of all 282 Munros, will also be on the start line. He has focused on cycling this summer with a record time on the Badger Divide and also the An Turas Mor route from Glasgow to Cape Wrath.

 

He said: “Ring of Steall packs a big punch for 29km. It has two big steep climbs with some nice technical ridges that give spectacular views over to Lochaber the Munros in the north and to Glencoe Munros in the south. It is short and fast. 

 

“I am not competitive over shorter races like the Ring of Steall as I am more suited to the longer stuff. However, having finish Au Turas Mor cycle sportive two weeks ago my body doesn’t feel ready for the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline®. So, I am just going to go out and enjoy the Ring of Steall race and see it as a good speed session without feeling any pressure to do well.”

 

A runner in the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline. © No Limits Photography  

 

The big one: Salomon Glen Coe Skyline®

 

Sunday sees two more skyrunning races being played out in the Scottish mountains. The iconic Salomon Glen Coe Skyline® is a 52km race with 4750m of ascent. 

 

The course records were set in 2017 by Kilian Jornet in 6:25 and Emelie Forsberg in 7:53. 

 

Georgia Tindley, who lives in Kingussie in the Highlands, returns to defend her title, won in 2019. She finished in 8:30 so it will be interesting to see what she runs this year.

 

The course fuses mountain running and alpinism to provide a test of speed, endurance and skill on an uncompromising, world-class course in the heart of spectacular Glen Coe. 

 

The route ascends Stob Dearg (Buachaille Etive Mor) via the exposed Grade III scramble (a “moderate" graded rock climb) of Curved Ridge, as well as a traverse of the sustained ridge, the Aonach Eagach. 

 

The fastest runners are excepted to finish at Kinlochleven at around 13.55 if you want to enjoy the excitement of competitors crossing the line.

 

The Salomon Ben Nevis Ultra. © No Limits Photography 

 

Running high: Salomon Ben Nevis Ultra™ 

 

Also taking place on Sunday is the Salomon Ben Nevis Ultra™. The 52km route features a mix of trails, singletrack, airy ridges and high mountain passes. The total elevation of 4000m takes in the summit of the UK’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis at 1345m.

Course records, set in 2019, are held by Murray Strain 7:51 and Katie Kaars 8:05. 

The fastest runners will finish at approx. 15:51 (male) and 15.55 (female), again in the event village.

 

A runner enjoys the trails near Kinlochleven. © No Limits Photography 

 

Three brilliant trail races

 

Skyline Scotland challenges runners to take part in one of three trail races: The Grey Mare's Trail Race - 5K on Saturday morning and the Loch Eilde Mòr Trail Race - 10K and Three Mealls Trail Race - 18K on Sunday morning. Again there will be lots of finish line action in the event village on both days.

 

Join in a range of activities in the event village. © No Limits Photography 

 

Check out the talks in the Skyline Sessions tent. © No Limits Photography  

 

What's happening: Salomon Skyline Scotland in the event village

 

There is something for everyone during a great line-up of talks over the Salomon Skyline Scotland weekend. The event village is located next to the Ice Factor in the centre of Kinlochleven. Here you will find food and drink options, exhibiting outdoor brands, such as Salomon, Petzl and La Sportiva, free talks in the form of the Skyline Sessions, live music and prize ceremonies, as well as live commentary and race updates on a big screen TV at the finish line. 

 

 

Skyline Sessions:

 

​Take a seat and listen in to a great series of free talks and presentations.

 

Saturday:

• 11am: Sarah Dunn from Scottish Orienteering talking about the opportunities that orienteering offers
• Noon: Ian Stewart from Trail Running Scotland, talking about linking up the 58 Munros in the Cairngorms National Park
• 1pm: Keri Wallace, co-director of Girls on Hills talking about her role in the Black Trail Runners’ Ramsay Round Challenge
• 2pm: Anna Paxton, co-director at Sheffield Adventure Film Festival and producer at Salt Street Productions
• 3pm: Donnie Campbell gives an insight into his continuous self-propelled record-breaking Munro Round in just 31 days, 23 hours and 2 minutes
• 4pm: Georgia Tindley reveals her experiences as a GB mountain, trail and skyrunner
• 5pm: Alasdair Meldrum talks about his recent participation in the Cape Wrath Ultra
   

Sunday:

• Noon: Chris Smithard gives a talk about his experiences as a GB orienteer and mountain runner
• 1pm:  Local record breaking fell runner Finlay Wild , l, talking about his recent fast Bob Graham Round and Ramsay Round record!
• 2pm: Ross Brannigan talking about his work with the John Muir Trust
   

Browse brands in the events village. © No Limits Photography 

 

Other activities this weekend include guided spectator walk and yoga sessions, as well as running workshops from Girls on Hills and Trail Running Scotland. In addition, Skyline Scotland is hosting a Scottish Urban Orienteering League race.

 

Food & drink includes Coffee Rescue Scotland, Turnip the Beet, Ice Factor cafe and bar and Top Out Brewery.

 

A big thank you!

 

Event sponsors: 

• Salomon
• Event Scotland
   

Event partners:

• John Muir Trust 
• Jahama Highland estates
• National Trust for Scotland
• Petzl
• Harvey Maps
• Girls on Hills