Runner returns to epic British ultra to celebrate 50th birthday - and WINS the race | Ultramarathon News

British duo Marcus Scotney and Sarah Ingram were the respective winners of the 400km Cape Wrath Ultra.

Remarkably Scotney, whose course record time from 2016 still stands, was returning to the event to celebrate his 50th birthday.

The Cape Wrath Ultra heads through some of the UK’s most remote and rugged terrain from the heart of the Scottish Highlands to the dramatic Cape Wrath lighthouse, the Northwestern most point of mainland Britain.

Split into eight stages, participants faced unprecedented hot conditions for the first five days until inevitably the Scottish weather finally caught up with the race, bringing gale force winds and torrential rain.

Women’s race – Ingram in control

Ingram’s performance over the eight stages was defined by consistency and grit, with a commanding lead by the latter half of the week.

Despite the punishing weather shift late in the race, she maintained her pace and composure, securing her victory amidst windswept trails and rain-lashed ridges.

Her cumulative time was 59 hours, 28 minutes and 34 seconds and that was nearly two hours in front of second female finisher Margarida Bagão of Portugal, with Brit Emma McCahill rounding out the podium in third.

Sarah Ingram Cape Wrath Ultra No Limits Photography — Sarah Ingram at the Cape Wrath lighthouse [Photo credit: No Limits Photography]

Men’s race – Scotney’s happy return!

In the men’s race Scotney stopped the clock in 42:55:05, just over two hours in front of Jon Shield and Lewis Taylor on an all-British podium.

And afterwards Scotney said: “After winning the inaugural edition of the Cape Wrath Ultra in 2016, I had always wanted to return and experience the incredible route once more. It’s a truly spectacular trail; you quickly run out of superlatives trying to describe how breathtaking the course is each and every day.

“This year, however, I wasn’t sure how my now 50-year-old body would cope with eight consecutive days of demanding running.

“The competition this year was fierce and relentless. I was pushed all the way by Jon and Lewis. Their presence kept me sharp, even on the tougher days, particularly day seven, when I had to dig deep to keep going. Crossing the finish line was a deeply emotional moment.”