Run Scotland on The Ultra Tour of Arran
Rat Race Adventure Sports will again stage the audacious 100km off-road running challenge on the Isle of Arran, Scotland in miniature, on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th April!
On Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th April 2019, Race Race Adventure Sports, the UK’s favourite adventure challenge event organiser, will return to Scotland’s west coast for The Ultra Tour of Arran (UTA), a two day, fully supported and waymarked, off-road adventure run, packing a hefty 100km ultra distance route around the island with an overall vertical gain of 10,679 feet. With entries closing at midnight on 7th April 2019 there is still plenty of time to sign up.
They say that the mythical Isle of Arran is Scotland in miniature, the perfect outdoor playground, and the fantastically varied and distinct 50km trail running routes on the two days of audacious adventure highlight this perfectly. There are delights at every turn, from dense enchanting forests and coastal beaches in the south on day one to the iconic castles, deep glens and dramatic mountains, including Goatfell at 2,867 feet, in the north on day two. View both routes - http://ratrace.com/uta/the-route/
Jim Mee, MD of Rat Race Adventure Sports, said: “We are very pleased to be returning to Arran in 2019. The island has so much to offer our Rat Racers and their supporters over and above the huge variety of running terrain from north to south. It has its own whisky distillery, brewery, craft gin, artisan cheese, aromatics, quality local food and drink together with that incredibly special island hospitality.
“What seemed to appeal most to our 2018 particpants was setting sail to a stunning and dramatic location where they felt a million miles away, yet they were less than an hour from the mainland; a true adventure weekend.”
The UTA is suited to a range of athletes from elite fell runners to amateur sporting enthusiasts with a good base level of fitness. It is an achievable step up from a marathon into ultra-running territory, for both solos and pairs, who have prepared well and put in the training miles.
David Hellard was the first to cross the finish line in 2018 after two days of tough off road running in a time of 10:27:21. David’s girlfriend, Claire Briggs, was the first female to finish in a time 12:00:51. The average time for the 100km distance from 239 runners that took part over the weekend was 15:15:00. Can the winning times be beaten by one of the 500 runners who have already signed up for the challenge in 2019?
Allie Bailey, a female ambassador for Rat Race Adventure Sports who took part in the UTA in 2018, said: “I love Scotland and I love a challenge. It was my first time on Arran and the island is glorious. The landscape is beautiful with such a great diversity of terrain. During the race we reached many places that other people would not ordinarily see. I will be back to do it again. I enjoyed it so much.”
When signing up runners will have the option to take on the challenge of day one only (45km) or the full two-day 100km Ultra distance. Day one (between four and eight hours of running) is characterised by quiet paths, forest trails, some boardwalk sections, some tarmac sections through villages and a lot of forest dirt roads. Day two (between six and twelve hours of running) is virtually all off-road with some serious mountain sections (there might even be snow on the hilltops), where the going is decidedly rough underfoot. There will be several scheduled pit stops interspersed on the route each day, for that much needed quick rest and refuel.
Jim Mee added: “We are delighted to have the support of EventScotland for the Ultra Tour of Arran this year, helping us to bring more runners and multisport enthusiasts to Scotland to experience the stunning range of adventure playgrounds.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “Arran is the perfect stage for such an exciting and challenging adventure run. With such a varied landscape, taking in glens, beaches, forests and more, we are sure participants, families and friends alike will enjoy a stunning event on one of Scotland’s most beautiful islands.”
As with all of their events, to ensure runners, their families and friends have the best weekend possible Rat Race will operate from a central Basecamp, for UTA located in Brodickjust one kilometre from the island’s ferry terminal. This hub will have all the quality trappings of a Rat Race event - good food and drink, great amenities, friendly and hospitable staff and Saturday night entertainment. A complimentary shuttle service from the ferry, together with camping, full serviced glamping; and limited paid parking options will also be available.
All runners still looking to tame the challenge of The Ultra Tour of Arran should head to the website for more information and to sign up: http://ratrace.com/uta/. Prices vary depending on when you enter.
Rat Race is partnered with Children With Cancer UK, the leading national children’s charity dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer, in a pledge to fight the UK's biggest child killer. Rat Racers have raised over £1,000,000, across all Rat Race events, since the campaign began in 2015. If runners take part in the Ultra Tour of Arran 2019 and raise £750 through Virgin Money Giving for Children with Cancer UK before race day, Rat Race will return their entry fee. For details go to http://ratrace.com/uta/run-for-charity/.
Latest Local News
Renfrew on Film: The Renfrew Rhymer
Renfrewshire volunteers supporting their community
Golf course and bowling greens reopen as lockdown measures ease
Stream4Scotland adds new names to 10 hours stream in aid of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy and ViseUp
Make Music Day calls on Scottish musicians to perform Auld Lang Syne
Dobbies encourages kids to get gardening
National Theatre of Scotland launches PLAY DATES a new online interactive programme for children and families
Charity calls on talented Scots to take part in virtual fundraising event
Dobbies supports Virtual Chelsea Flower Show
Scottish Book Trust launch online celebrations for Bookbug Week
Scotland Hosts International Prayer Meeting via Zoom
Celebrate World Whisky Day with Johnnie Walker
itison announce plans to launch first socially distanced Drive In
Over 10,000 food packs donated in 24 hours
Art company launches online Art Exhibition on behalf of Beatson Cancer Charity
itison launches Social Bite fundraiser
Dobbies podcast explores gardening for beginners
SF At Home brings you studio tours, workshops and exhibitions
Stay off the tracks. Stay home. Stay safe.
Pupils can take part in fun online version of Olympic Games
Cancellation of events in Renfrewshire
Members of the public are asked to help identify archive photography
Enormous Ailsa Craig onion originated at Culzean Castle
Launch of Ren TV
VE Day extravaganza for care homes across the UK
Virtual running challenge launched in aid of NHS Charities Together
TRNSMT 2021 Line Up Announced
A new online quiz service has launched to help people host their own pub quizzes from home
Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival 2020 Cancelled
Dobbies supports National Gardening Week
Sponsored Links
Popular Events
The Drive-In Cinema: Paisley
Watch blockbuster classics this summer when The Drive-In Cinema comes to St Mirren Park, Paisley in July!The Drive-In Cinema: Inverclyde
Watch blockbuster classics this summer when The Drive-In Cinema comes to Knapps Loch, Kilmacolm in July!Renfrewshire Leisure Walking Challenge
Are you up for a Walking Challenge in your local community during your daily exercise? Renfrewshire Leisure are challenging you and your household to walk 48 miles in 4 weeks!TTF - Celebrating 30 years of TTF - POSTPONED
See TTF plus some of Europe's biggest acts all under one roof at intu Braehead Arena on Saturday 27th June as they celebrate their 30th anniversary!Active Communities’ Jogging Buddies
Active Communities run a series of jogging groups throughout Renfrewshire on a weekly basis!Popular Venues
Advertise With Us
Looking to reach new customers? We offer a variety of advertising options with prices starting from just £30 per month!
