5K Trail Race - Salomon Skyline Scotland

5K Trail Race

Salomon Grey Mare's Trail Race - 5K

ENTRIES AVAILABLE ON THE DAY 
Just head to info point at least an hour before race start.

Saturday 16th September 2023

10:30 start (shortly after the Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™ start - get back in time to cheer in the first finishers!)

 


 

2023 entry fee

  • £20 (£10 if aged 17 or under) until 31st May 2023
  • £25 (£12.50 aged 17 or under) from 1st June 2023
  • £30 (£15 aged 17 or under)  £25 (£12.50 aged 17 or under)  from 1st August 2023 – we are delighted that we are now freezing the price from now until the event, saving you £5!

What's new for the 2023 event? FIND OUT HERE

Skyline Scotland - Grey Mares trail race

 

Heading out anticlockwise from our grand start venue at the Ice Factor in Kinlochleven, and initially sharing the same first section with the former Vertical Kilometre route, you will feel like this is the beginning of something big, despite the seemingly modest 5km distance. There is something else about this route you see – a short but super-steep ascent on a memorable zig-zagging rocky trail in beautiful woodland. Once past the Mamore Lodge, the route levels out on a wide trail to give fantastic views west over Loch Leven and the surrounding Munros, before switching sharp left steeply down an exciting single-track section of the West Highland Way. All that remains is the final flat run-in through Kinlochleven, to the crowds at the finish. Britain’s toughest 5K trail race? We’ll let you decide.

The inaugural race received some stunning feedback: "Was it really just 5k? That was fantastically action-packed!"

 

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Winding trails through the woods on the return to Kinlochleven ©No Limits Photography

 

How to Enter?

Entries are sold on a first-come, first-served basis until each race is full. Simply complete the online entry form, and bingo - you have a place!

Interest in the event is exceptional - we anticipate the trail races selling out - so please enter early to avoid disappointment.

 


 

When you enter any of the trail races, you must agree to our Declaration.

Please ensure you are familiar with the Terms & Conditions of entry.

Covid-19: If circumstances dictate that we cannot run the event safely then we will offer a free deferral or refund to all our participants.

 

An entry includes:

  • Your involvement in the UK’s greatest weekend of mountain running!
  • Water, electrolyte drink and coke at the finish line
  • An exciting new finisher's medal (or the option to not receive a medal and get a discount)
  • A fully marshalled, waymarked and signed race route
  • Shower facilities at the Lochaber Centre (extended opening hours)
  • Digital race timing for official results
  • The opportunity to take part in the 'Legends' presentation to receive your final medal in the series 
  • A chance to be eligible for the Skyline Scotland Club Shield
  • Free GPX file of the race route
  • Race commentary at the start / finish line in the Event Village 
  • Marshalling support at several locations on the route
  • Mountain safety team cover during the race
  • Emergency medical cover during the race
  • A well planned and professionally organised race by Ourea Events

 

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Finisher's medal  - presented to all competitors completing the race ©No Limits Photography

 


 

Club runner?

You are warmly welcomed to compete, with full recognition given to club name in the entry lists and official race timing for all Trail Races.

Running for your club means that you will also be competing for the Club Shield! 

 

Under 18?

You are eligible to enter the 5K:

  • 14-17 welcome to race without adult supervision if a parent/guardian accompanies them to registration
  • 12-13 welcome to race with their parent/guardian who must also accompany them to registration
  • No U12s
     

Under 18 entries are half price!

 


The Course

Download the 2023 GPX file 

 

Predicted Course Times

10:30 - Start time

10:57 – First male finisher

11:03 – First female finisher

12:00 – Course Closure Time

 

Records

Men’s Record - 27:46 Angus Wright (Lothian AC) - 2019

Women’s Record – 32:32 Ariane Baillie (Pitreavie AAC) - 2022

 


Details

Recommended Clothing & Equipment

The kit requirements for the Salomon Grey Mare's 5K 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.

Please note that we reserve the right to make this recommended list mandatory should the weather be severe.

  1. Fell/mountain trail 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 - the trails can be appropriately rough and wet - this is West Scotland!)
  2. 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
  3. Waterproof trousers/pants
  4. Hat, gloves/glove-mittens suitable for the weather conditions
    We recommend: Salomon BeanieSalomon Bonatti WP Mitten
  5. Whistle
  6. Spare warm top suitable for the weather conditions (spare means unworn at the start)​​​​
    We recommend: A technical midlayer (see Men's / Women's) / insulated garment
  7. Some food and drink to refuel with along the trail 
  8. A ca. 5-litre pack in which to carry the above
    We recommend: Salomon ADV Skin 5 Running Vest
  9. Water bottle and / or hydration system
    We recommend: Salomon Soft Flask or Soft Reservoir
 

Checkpoints

There will be a number of marshalled checkpoints on each of the routes. 

 

Location & Accommodation

Please consult this page

 

Parking

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

 

Registration

The registration marquee will be in the Event Village next to the Ice Factor in the centre of Kinlochleven. This is where mandatory registration and issue of competitors' race number will take place. Registration is open between 09:00 and 10:00 on Saturday 16th September 2023.

 

The Start

The start line of each of the Trail Races is in the Event Village next to The Ice Factor. There will be a real buzz at this location with the added atmosphere of the big international Skyline Scotland® races starting and finishing in the same location.

Start time: Saturday 16th September – ready at 10:15 for a 10:30 start

​Please note: Participants must ensure that they are in the start pen and ready to go 15 minutes before the start time.

 

Supporters

Family, friends and members of the public are welcome to support competitors at the Event Village, which will be a hive of activity! 

 

Retirements

Any retiring competitor must return to the Event Village in Kinlochleven by either reversing the race route, or continuing along it; whichever is fastest. Once arriving at the Event Village, it is essential that a retiring competitor reports to the finish to check-out of the race timing and safety systems.

 

Emergencies

Any competitor requiring emergency assistance should alert a race marshal at the nearest Checkpoint along the race route. We expect fellow competitors to stop and assist another competitor in an emergency. 

 

Sweeper

There will be a course sweeper following behind the last competitor.

 

Course Closure Time

Any competitor falling behind the average speed to complete the entire course within the course closure time may be retired at any checkpoint along the race route. The course closure time is generous as we want this race to be inclusive and encourage novice and slower runners. The course closure time is 12:00

 

Prize Ceremony

There will be a Prize Ceremony at ~11:45

 

Showers

Available in the Leven Centre in Kinlochleven:

11:00-22:00 on Saturday 16th September

11:00-21:00 on Sunday 17th September

 


 

Declaration

I declare that: 

  • I have read and understood the information on the website about the nature of the course, which features rough and remote mountain trail running;
  • I can apply sound mountain judgement at all times even if it means compromising my overall race result;
  • I can diligently concentrate and follow waymarking;
  • 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 mountain and trail running events such as this;

Event Rules

It is the participant's responsibility to know and follow these rules:

  1. Participants must follow the Universal Event Rules applicable to all events organised by Ourea Events.

    We would like to highlight the following from the above, as these are the most likely to incur penalties or disqualification through ignorance:
    • Marked Mandatory Routes: Participants must follow the marked (i.e. flagged, waymarked or signed) mandatory routes without deviation. They may go directly from each marker to the next, but deviation (such as cutting corners in zig-zags or taking a direct line to a later marker) is forbidden.
       
    • Mandatory Kit: Participants must comply with any Equipment List and carry all mandatory items as specified at all times. Any transgression may result in not being allowed to start the race or disqualification.
       
    • Support Runners: Participants are not allowed support runners. Any person attempting this will cause their officially entered associate(s) to be disqualified immediately and all the runners involved may receive life bans from Ourea Events Limited events.
       
    • Race Number: When issued, participants must display one race number on their front at all times and (when issued) a second race number must be attached to their rucksack. Race numbers can be obscured by waterproof clothing only. Race numbers must not be folded.
       
    • Littering: Any participant seen dropping litter will be disqualified.
       
  2. Rubbish: Participants may not dispose of any rubbish or food wrappings along the route. The only location at which rubbish can be deposited is at the finish. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
     
  3. Headphones: Participants must NOT wear headphones or listen to music at any point during the race. This rule will be strictly enforced.
     
  4. Equipment Dumping: It is not possible to leave equipment with anyone whilst on the course.
     
  5. External Support: Supplies of additional food, drink and kit is not allowed. Outside assistance will lead to disqualification.