The organisers have an obligation to ensure that the Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™ is as safe as possible, but without diminishing the nature of the challenge. The nature of the challenge is serious and there is a risk of serious injury or death whilst participating in this event. 

The Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™ follows in the tradition of skyrunning, which consists of uncompromising mountain running, such as scrambling along mountain ridges with steep ascents, traverses and descents on technical and challenging terrain. The Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™ route is only suitable for experienced and competent mountain runners.

If you do not explicitly understand these terms, or have no direct personal experience of scrambling and mountain ridges, then the Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™ is not suitable for you. 

The race route traverses high and remote mountainous terrain. Once committed to some sections of the race route, especially the ridges, it is difficult to retreat from the race route. 

The entire route is subject to rapidly changing, highly variable and extremely severe weather. For this reason, competitors must be capable of a ‘robust completion’ of the route in all but the most serious weather conditions. 

The route is very rough underfoot with long sections of rock and scree-covered terrain. There is an enormous amount of ascent and descent. 

 

Parking
See our page on parking and bus options for more information. 

Registration 
The registration marquee will be in the Event Village outside the Ice Factor in the centre of Kinlochleven. This is where registration, issuing of competitors’ timing chips, GPS trackers, race numbers & race maps will take place. Competitors should allow at least 1 hour to complete the registration process. Any competitors trying to register after registration closes will not be accepted.

 
The Route 
The main Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™ course is approximatley 29km with 2,500m of ascent and the Bad Weather course is 15km with 1,300m of ascent.  We will make the decision on which route to use on Friday 14th September based on the best possible weather forecast and prevailing conditions. The confirmed route will be announced at registration. The route will be fully marked and no navigational experience is required.

There will be no fixed ropes to safeguard any sections of the route and competitors must be confident to scramble across mountain ridges in all but the most severe weather conditions.  For more information, please see separate 'The Route' section below.

 
Checkpoints 
There will be one low-level checkpoint (CP3 - feed station) where food and water will be available to the competitors and several high-level checkpoints where no food or water will be available but emergency aid from the event team will be possible. Due to the remote nature of the route, competitors will need to carry safety equipment, food and fluids. The low-level feed station checkpoint in Glen Nevis is approximately half way along the race route and a long way from the Start/Finish in Kinlochleven.

Family, friends and members of the public are welcome at the low-level checkpoint and hot/cold drinks, food and portable toilets will be available for competitors. You are also welcome to spectate anywhere on the route, including the mountains - this is a great support experience for runners, spectators and walkers. 
 
Retirements
The race route traverses high and remote mountainous terrain. Once committed to many sections of the race route it is difficult to retreat. Any competitor retiring from the race (or indeed any spectator on the mountains) is likely to face a long walk along the race route (either continuing onwards or retracing their steps) into a glen or valley. Competitors should expect long sections of the route to have no marshals and they will only find signs marking the route.

Mandatory Kit List 
There is a mandatory kit list - see separate section below - for competitors and you may be kit checked before starting or at the end of the race.

Cut-Offs 
Please see 'The Route' section below.

The Devil’s Ridge 
The route traverses The Devil’s Ridge. This is between Sgorr an lubhair (Checkpoint 1) and Sgurr a’ Mhaim (Checkpoint 2) and features some easy, but intimidating scrambling where competitors may need to use their hands occasionally and will certainly feel the exposure of this mountain ridge. 

An Gearanach ridge 
The route also traverses the An Gearanach ridge. This is between An Gearanach (Checkpoint 5) and Stob Coire a’ Chairn (Checkpoint 6), which also features some easy, but intimidating scrambling where competitors may need to use their hands occasionally and will certainly feel the exposure of this mountain ridge. 

Fixed Ropes 
There will be no fixed ropes to safeguard any sections of the route and competitors must be confident to move safely over easy scrambling terrain in all but the most severe weather conditions. 

 

Fly-through  

TIP: You may wish to set the speed to 32x

 

Cut-Offs
Cut-offs are designed to give people best chance to enjoy as much of the course as possible, whilst stopping people from entering the highest/most dangerous/most exposed ground if they will not be able to complete the course before the Course Closure Time. Participants will need to be well ahead of the Cut-off time at CP 3 in order to complete the course.

There will be cut-offs at Checkpoints 3 and 4. These cut-offs are based on a desire to have all competitors safely off the higher sections of the course before dark and finished by the Course Closure Time, which is 19:00. The cut-offs are:

• Checkpoint 3 (Glen Nevis Support Point at 11km) = 14:00
• Checkpoint 4 (River Crossing at 15km) = 14:45

Competitors must have departed from these Checkpoints by the cut-off time. Experienced but slower competitors are very welcome at the race but please note that the cut-offs will be strictly enforced. Any runner, at any point on the course, will be retired from the race, if they have no chance of finishing before the Course Closure Time. We will be able to develop this retirement intervention once we start to see time splits between checkpoints during the race, using our GPS tracking data. 

 

Course Closure Time: 19:00
Competitors can only competitively complete the course if they finish within the course opening times; finishing after 19:00 will result in competitors being timed out and therefore no medal or competitive result time will be issued.

 

Predicted Course Times

9:00 – Start Wave 1

10:00 – Start Wave 5

12:05 – First male finisher

12:35 – First female finisher

19:00 – Course Closure Time

 

GPS Course Data

This route is only roughly drawn to show the route! Competitors must follow the race signs on race day and NOT rely on their GPS for the route. The organisers retain the right to alter the race route at any time.

You can either download the 2022 GPX file of the following route or use the Outdooractive app

 

Support Points 
There will be one low-level support point where food and water will be available to the competitors and several high level support points where no food or water will be available but emergency aid from the event team will be possible. Due to the remote nature of the route, competitors will need to carry safety equipment, food and fluids. The low-level support point in Glen Nevis is approximately halfway along the race route and a long way from the Start/Finish in Kinlochleven.

Family, friends and members of the public are welcome at the low-level support point and hot/cold drinks, food and portable toilets will be available for competitors and supporters alike. You are also welcome to spectate anywhere on the route, including the mountains - this is a great support experience for runners, spectators and walkers. 

Retirements
The race route traverses high and remote mountainous terrain. Once committed to many sections of the race route it is difficult to retreat. Any competitor retiring from the race (or indeed any spectator on the mountains) is likely to face a long walk along the race route (either continuing onwards or retracing their steps) into a glen or valley. Competitors should expect long sections of the route to have no marshals and they will only find signs marking the route.
 

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Detailed Route Description 
Kinlochleven village sits beside the sea at the end of Loch Leven, at the foot of The Mamores, and in the coastal glen between Glen Coe and Glen Nevis. The Mamores are an east - west series of majestic Munros (Scottish Mountains over 3,000ft / 914m) and in this route there are four that will be summited. (Several other non-Munros called ‘Tops’, of 3,000 feet or more, and other lesser mountains, are also summited on this route).

This skyrunning race route incorporates two lofty ridges, and these ridges combined, normally accessed from Glen Nevis to the north, have long been known as the Ring of Steall – a classic mountain walking round. Steall is the name of the old house, wire-rope bridge and An Steall waterfall just above the famous Nevis Gorge. This location is often the backdrop used in some Harry Potter filming. Most of the trails in this area, including the renowned West Highland Way have a very Alpine surface and general feel to them.

A stiff ascent of the West Highland Way is used to depart Kinlochleven, and then ascend further into Coire na h’Eirghe to reach a col at the foot of The Mamores ridge. Turning west and ascending brings us to the first Top (CP1) – Sgurr an lubhair (1001m) then onwards to reach the Top of Stob Choire a’ Mhail (990m) and then an ascent to the highest Munro on the route, our CP2 - Sgurr a’ Mhaim (1099m). This ridge sequence is called the Devil’s Ridge and provides and thrilling and airy traverse with Glen Nevis visible ahead and as a yawning drop far below, and Ben Nevis beyond and towering above.

The descent to Glen Nevis and our low-level support CP3 is significant - over 1000m. After recharging, we head up Glen Nevis beside the river on a good path to a footbridge and then join a tarmac road briefly. At the road end is a classic trail that squeezes through a short dramatic gorge, and materialises in an idyllic flat glen with the An Steall waterfall ahead. Conditions dependent, the route will cross either the wire rope bridge here, or wade through the river, then ascending beside the waterfall on a path into Coire Chadha Chaoruinn.

Now starts the other biggest climb of the race route, to the Munro and our CP4 - An Gearanach (982m), and the start of another lofty ridge traverse towards the Top; An Garbhanach (975m). After a tough drop and ascent again, the third Munro is reached, and our CP5 - Stob Coire a’ Chairn (981m), a hint of Loch Leven far below, but staying high on a heading of south-west to reach CP6 on the stunning final Munro - Am Bodach (1032m).

From Am Bodach, it is nearly downhill all the way, at first back down to the col at the foot of The Mamores ridge, then turning steeply down into Coire na h’Eirghe reversing the ascent route from earlier in the day. At the bottom, there is a slight kicker of a climb on a section of West Highland Way double-track, then it is a final dash down steeper single-track and just the flat roads of Kinlochleven that separates you from glory at the finish line.

 

Bad Weather Route Statistics 
Approximately 15km / 1,300m

 

Bad Weather Route 
It is reasonably unlikely that this Bad Weather Route will be required.

The Bad Weather Route avoids all of the exposed scrambling terrain but it will only be used if the weather is forecast to be severe during the race. We must reiterate that competitors must be confident to move safely over exposed ridge terrain in all but the most severe weather conditions. The Bad Weather Route is still a very significant and challenging mountain run and should not be underestimated especially if conditions are poor. 

The Bad Weather Route may be completed in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction depending on the prevailing weather conditions on the day.

 

Bad Weather Cut-Offs 
There would likely be a Cut-Off at the point where there is option of the coire descent path vs. the next summit ahead. The ‘escape’ coire in question would likely be Coire a’ Chairn descending into the lower Coire na Ba.

Competitors must have departed from this Bad Weather Cut-Off Checkpoint by the Cut-Off time. Any runner, at any point on the route, will be retired from the race, if they have no chance of finishing before the Course Closure Time, at 19:00. We will be able to develop this retirement intervention once we start to see time splits between Checkpoints during the race, using our GPS tracking data. 

 

Bad Weather GPS Course Data
This route is only roughly drawn to show the route! Competitors must follow the race signs on race day and NOT rely on their GPS for the route. The organisers retain the right to alter the race route at any time.

You can download the following bad weather route as a GPX file or via Outdooractive: 

 

Bad Weather Support Point
There would not be a low-level support point on the Bad Weather Route, and as such this means that there would not be food and drink support on this route. Runners would be self-sufficient in this regard. However, there would be a number of marshalled high-level support points, where no food or water will be available but emergency aid from the event team will be possible.

Due to the remote nature of the route, and heightened extremes of the weather, competitors will need to carry their best safety equipment, food and fluids.

Family, friends and members of the public are still welcome to spectate anywhere on the route, including the mountains. However, in extremes of weather this could be a very uncomfortable experience, so it would be best to choose sheltered locations such as the low-level coire footpaths. This is a great support experience for runners, spectators and walkers. 

 

Bad Weather Retirements 
The race route traverses high and remote mountainous terrain. Once committed to many sections of the race route it is difficult to retreat. Any competitor retiring from the race (or indeed for any spectator on the mountains) you are likely to face a long walk back or forward into a glen. Competitors should expect long sections of the route to have no marshals and where they will only find signs marking the route. 

 

Detailed Bad Weather Route Description 
It is reasonably unlikely that this Bad Weather Route will be required.

Kinlochleven village sits beside the sea at the end of Loch Leven, at the foot of The Mamores, and in the coastal glen between Glen Coe and Glen Nevis. The Mamores are an east - west series of majestic Munros (Scottish Mountains over 3,000ft / 914m) and in this Bad Weather route it is likely that two will be summited. 

Most of the trails in this area, including the renowned West Highland Way have a very Alpine surface and general feel to them. 

A stiff ascent of the West Highland Way is used to depart Kinlochleven, then ascend further into Coire na h’Eirghe to reach the col at the foot of The Mamores ridge. Turning east and ascending brings us to the Munro Am Bodach (Bad Weather CP1), and with more Mamores, Glen Nevis and Ben Nevis to the north. A fair descent from Am Bodach (1032m), and the next ascent brings us to our Bad Weather CP2, and the Munro summit of Stob Coire a’ Chairn (981m). Descending a ridge south-east is the beginning of the full drop back to Kinlochleven, to a saddle and our Bad Weather CP3, at which point the more sheltered Coire a’ Chairn will be entered, and on good paths to reach the vehicle road at our Bad Weather CP4. The finals paths quickly re-enter the forest, and soon drop steeply back into Kinlochleven and the Finish line.

If the weather has been truly bad, then this shortened route will still have given you a very exhilarating experience!

Please arrive in good time for the start as there will be a kit check as you enter the start pen. Remember, “No Kit, No Go”.  Anyone in a position of note at the end of the race will be kit checked, and anyone found without the mandatory kit will be disqualified. 

The kit requirements for the Salomon Ring of Steall are summarised here. However, for more detail on each item, please refer to our overarching clothing and equipment guidance article on the Ourea Events website. This contains important detail on each specific kit item, for example, the exact requirements of your waterproof jacket having taped seams.

Mandatory items

All competitors must carry or wear the following:

1. Running rucksack/vest/bumbag
2. Fell/mountain running shoes* 
   We recommend:  Salomon S-Lab Cross 2 Unisex or Speedcross 5 Men's / Speedcross 5 Women's
   (road trainers or running shoes without a deep enough lug are NOT acceptable)
3. Waterproof top with hood 
   We recommend:  Salomon S-Lab Gore-Tex Shakedry Unisex  or Salomon Bonatti Gore Tex Shakedry Jacket Unisex or Salomon Bonatti Trail Jacket Mens / Salomon Bonatti Trail Jacket Women's
4. Waterproof trousers/pants
5. A long sleeve base layer
6. Spare synthetic warm top (minimum 300g) suitable for the weather conditions. Spare means unworn at the start – this must be kept in a waterproof bag.
   We recommend: A technical midlayer (see Men's / Women's) / insulated garment
7. Hat, gloves/glove-mittens suitable for the weather conditions
   We recommend: Salomon Beanie, Salomon Bonatti WP Mitten 
8. Survival bag (not a blanket)
   These can be purchased with your entry for collection at registration
9. Headtorch (with sufficient light to be able to navigate in the darkness)
   We recommend: the SILVA Trail Runner Free ULTRA 400 Lumens (This model is AAA & Rechargeable Battery Operated. Carry Spare Batteries)
10. Water bottle and / or hydration system  (must have the capacity to carry 1,000ml)
    We recommend: Salomon Soft Flask or Soft Reservoir
11. Whistle
12. Sufficient food**
13. Mobile Phone
14. GPS Tracker (supplied)

Recommended items

1. A pack in which to carry the above
   We recommend: Salomon ADV Skin 5 Running Vest
2. A smart-device (waterproof [or kept waterproof] with plenty of battery power) - likely a smartphone and watch combination, capable of displaying a compass, grid-reference, altitude).

Clothing and Equipment Clarifications

• The use of trekking/hiking poles for the first 2.5km of the race (until where runners turn off the Mamores lodge track), between checkpoints 1 and 2 (Devil's Ridge), and between checkpoints 5 and 6 (An Gearanach), is strictly prohibited.
• It is not possible to leave surplus equipment with event staff at the checkpoints.
• *Trail running shoes may be appropriate but they usually don’t have sufficiently deep lugs to provide a reassuring grip in a wide variety of situations.
• **Relying entirely on support point food is not acceptable. The support point food should be regarded as more of a bonus to your core nutrition.

Entry Process 
Competitors must complete an online entry form and entries will be sold on a first come, first served basis.  

Entries are likely to sell out very fast so please enter early to avoid disappointment. 

Minimum Experience 
Entries for the Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™ are not vetted, but competitors must be suitably experienced and agree to the declaration below. The Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™ route is only suitable for experienced and competent mountain runners and includes short sections of easy scrambling. 

Declaration 
Each competitor must agree to the following Declaration when completing an application form:

I am an experienced and competent mountain runner, capable of a 'robust completion' of the Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™ and declare that: 

• I have experience of running in a similar mountain environment to the Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™ 
• I have experience of scrambling on similar mountains to those featured in the Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™ and confirm that I am capable of safely negotiating easy scrambling terrain in all but the most severe weather conditions; 
• I can competently cross the ground in the Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™ without experiencing debilitating fear and without causing delay or distress to other participants or members of the public; 
• I can apply sound mountain judgement at all times even if it means compromising my overall race result; 
• I know how to be aware of others around me, both above and below me, and can take care with my footfall on the mountain to minimise the hazard of rockfall, slips and trips; 
• I can diligently concentrate and follow waymarking; 
• I can understand and interpret a pre-event route map and elucidate the main features and passage points, such as marshalled support locations, road crossings and time cut-offs (this does not mean map-memory and full navigational competence – this is a waymarked route); 
• I accept full responsibility for my own safety and any injury sustained during the event. These are not the responsibility of the event organiser, their agents or the landowners; 
• I know my limitations and I am experienced enough to make a reasoned decision whether or not to start the event and/or to retire from the event rather than jeopardise my own or other people’s safety; 
• I understand that there is a risk of serious injury or death whilst participating in the Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™ 

 

We will award the following prizes, finisher's medals and trophies:

Finisher's Medal 
All finishers completing the course (within the cut-offs and course opening times) will receive a Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™ finisher's medal. This will be presented at the finish.

Prize Ceremony
Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™ winners' trophies will be awarded at the prize ceremony at approx. 16:00 on the Saturday afternoon. 

 

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2022 Prize Fund

1st Male - £200.00
2nd Male - £100.00  
3rd Male - £50.00 

1st Female - £200.00  
2nd Female - £100.00 
3rd Female - £50.00