West Highland Way 2013
Entries for the 2013 West Highland Way trail race open on Thursday 1 November 2012.
The race, which is held over the 95 miles (155km) of Scotland’s most popular iconic trail, is the longest continuous race to receive a permit from scottishathletics. Traditionally held on one of the weekends closest to midsummer to take advantage of the long daylight hours, the 2013 race will be held on the weekend of June 21- 23 2013.
Each year the race attracts experienced ultra runners from throughout the UK and also from Europe and North America. Previous elite foreign participants include Jens Lukas, Michael Maier, Mark Godale, Czaba Nemeth and Jan-Albert Lantink, while top UK ultra runners Jezz Bragg, Richie Cunningham and Terry Conway have also been past winners.
No prize money is offered, all these runners have simply raced (and continue to do so!) to experience the magic of the West Highland Way and take on its challenge. Every year the event also attracts runners just intent on covering the course within the 35-hour time limit and receiving one of the prized cut glass finisher’s goblets.
GB ultra distance internationals Lucy Colquhoun, Sharon Law and Debbie Martin Consani hold some of the fastest women’s times on the route along with seven-time winner Kate Jenkins.
Bobby Shields (Clydesdale) and Duncan Watson (Lochaber AC) were the first two runners to challenge themselves over the trail in 1985. The race then evolved and has grown to establish itself as one of the toughest challenges in Britain, and while organisers payheed to the obvious health and safety demands of this gruelling event, they contuinue to try to replicate as much as possible the simplicity of Shields and Watson’s original challenge.
The West Highland Way race starts at Milngavie (just north of Glasgow) and winds its way up along the Eastern shores of Loch Lomond, through Glen Falloch, past Crianlarich to the Highland junction village of Tyndrum (52 miles). Continuing between the highland mountains, the trail crosses Rannoch Moor to reach Glencoe (approx 70 miles) before climbing over the Devils staircase, the highest point of the route, before dropping down to the village of Kinlochleven (78miles) at sea level. The final haul through the remote Lharig Mor before reaching Glen Nevis brings the trail to an end at Fort William.
“Planning is now well underway for the 2013 event, and we are expecting another high quality race,” said Race Director Ian Beattie. “Last year’s record breaking run by Terry Conway, in wet and difficult conditions, was a remarkable performance, and it will be interesting to see if anyone can get close to a record time this year. I am sure we will have another capacity field and look forward to seeing some old and new faces at the start line next June”.
Current course records (on course used since 1991)
Men: Terry Conway (2012): 15:39:15
Women: Lucy Colquhoun (2007): 17:16:20
Entries are open throughout the calendar month of November and full details can be found at http://www.westhighlandwayrace.org
A West Highland Way-themed blog was published in our blogs section around the time of the 2012 race, read more here!