Search

RUN247 / Running News / Mountain Running News / Records set as Amber and Long claim wins at Mountain Running World Cup opener

Records set as Amber and Long claim wins at Mountain Running World Cup opener

Stuart Dick
Reporter
Updated on

Olivia Amber (USA) and Ruairi Long (IRL) took victory in their respective categories at the Mountain Running World Cup Seven Sisters Skyline 30k race – both setting course records in the process.

In the fifth hosting of the event in County Donegal – which involved 30k and 55k races and over 500 runners on the start line – Amber and Long stood on the top of the podiums on an unseasonal bitter day in the windswept Derryveagh Mountains – leading to a number of boggy areas out on the course.

Advertisement

Green light for Amber

Olivia Amber (USA) takes victory in the Seven Sisters Skyline – the opening race in this year’s Mountain Running World Cup [Photo Credit: Richard Bolt]

American Amber took an early lead in the women’s 30k race opening up a healthy advantage to compatriot Kathryn O’Regan and Ireland’s Sarah Brady.

In the remote countryside, it was difficult to follow the leaders through their quest for victory, GPS the only way until the runners reached the final aid station with 5km to go.

In the end, Amber was a runaway victor in a time of 4:07:36, leading O’Regan home by 25 minutes, 38 seconds. Brady finished third a further 14 minutes, four seconds behind.

On her race victory, Amber said: “”The bog definitely got me a lot and I’ve never experienced any conditions like it. [While] I never figured it out, it was fun. It was an amazing experience and I’ve never done a race like it. It’s honestly one of my favourite races I’ve ever done.”

Advertisement

Long road to victory

Ruairi Long (IRL) sets a course record as he takes home the Seven Sisters Skyline 30k title [Photo Credit: Richard Bolt]

Much like in the women’s race, the leading three contenders reached the 8km aid station in the eventual finish order – with Long, Paddy O’Leary (IRL) and Shaun Stewart (IRL) within a minute of each other.

By the time the trio passed through the final aid station with 5km to go, Long had opened a considerable lead from O’Leary, who in turn led Stewart by a minute.

Long’s 3:29:59 took victory by six minutes, 47 seconds from O’Leary, who in turn had a gap of 49 seconds to Stewart in third.

Long said of the course: Errigal is a great classic Irish straight up and straight down, no messing kind of hill.

“It was great to have that near the end but that last slightly uphill section is tough on the legs but that’s what you want, it’s a nice challenge.

“I had a feeling coming off Errigal that I had a gap but I was thinking Paddy [O’Leary] is going to love these last few kilometers on the road so [I had to move].”

Stuart Dick
Written by
Stuart Dick
Stuart is a graduate of the University of Sunderland with a masters' degree in Sports Journalism. He spends a lot of his time running and cycling around West Yorkshire, England.

Latest Running News

Shaunna Burke is taking on the Everest Marathon
Researcher with incurable cancer tackles Everest again and the world’s highest marathon
Women top five Zegama 2025 photo credit GTWS
A ‘dream’ for Sara Alonso and ‘historic’ for Elhousine Elazzaoui – Zegama stirs the emotions again
Sara Alonso wins Zegama 2025 photo credit GTWS
Zegama-Aizkorri 2025 results: Statement wins from Elhousine Elazzaoui and Sara Alonso
Stephanie Case wins UTMB Snowdonia 2025 photo credit UTMB
Ultrarunner who went viral after remarkable Snowdonia win hopes to inspire other new mums
Elhousine Elazzaoui wins Zegama 2025 photo credit GTWS
WATCH AGAIN: Golden Trail World Series showpiece – Zegama-Aizkorri 2025
trail running on your terms

Never miss out with our trail alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.

The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...