Skye Half Marathon 2007

[JoanT]

A group of us are coming to Skye for the Half Marathon - for some it will be our first half M race, non of us are hill runners. Does anyone know what the route is like and how hilly?

Thanks

[helenw]

Hi Joan

Skye Half Marathon Sat 9 June - it does run through the flatest, and some might say dullest, part of the island, but its still quite hilly if you are used to totally flat running.

The route starts from the Community Centre in Portree and after a short distance climbs a short but steep hill on the Struan road - it then undulates in nice woodland before a fairly flat section past Portree Riding Stables and out to the Dunvegan Road. Here there is another steep section before the route goes downhill to the Uig - Portree road where you head back towards Portee. This last 3 mile gentle uphill with 2 steeper sections near the end can be a killer. After the hill its downhill all the way to the finish in Portee. Note that the actual distance ran is 13.8 but there is a marker at the true half marathon distance and someone telling you your time.

Good luck - hope the weather is decent - there are usually lots of cakes and sandwiches afterwards, and you get a free swim!

Cheers

[helenw]

The results of this year's race can be found here

The weather was really hot but everyone seemed to do really well with no casaulties - many thanks to the Skye Brownies and Guides for the well manned water stations and for everyone who provided the fantastic buns and sandwiches at the end (it made it all worthwhile). For anyone doing the Heb 3 the contrast between the previous week's race in force 8 gales must have been immense.

Thanks again to the organisers and everyone that made it such a friendly day - especially the guy from Hamilton who ran with me for ages and kept me at a decent pace, sorry that I was too out of breath to chat properly!