This Saturday (22nd August) will see the Salomon Skyline race held in Glencoe. One of six races in the 2015 Skyrunning UK calendar, the ‘SGCS’ has been one of the most anticipated races in the UK in recent years. Shane Ohly from Ourea Events and course planner Gary Tompsett have come up with a very difficult route, that has turned the heads of not only the running world but also the media, with plans for the race attracting some controversy.
The race begins up Curved Ridge, a grade 3 scramble on Buachaille Etive Mor, before dropping down to the Lairig Gartain and heading up and over the Buachaille Etive Beag ridge. The route then descends to the Lairig Eilde before traversing the two Munros of Bidean nam Bian. Descending to Loch Achtriochtan, the route then traverses the airy scramble of the Aonach Eagach ridge before running down the Devil’s Staircase and on to the finish at Glencoe Mountain Resort.
The Aonach Eagach ridge
‘There has been considerable interest in this event coupled with some poor reporting about ‘Glen Coe being closed’ etc. I wanted to reassure your regular readers that the race will have little if any affect on them,’ said Shane.
‘With its combination of mountain running and scrambling, and iconic Glen Coe destination the race has been causing quite a stir! Twice I’ve been on the national radio in recent weeks to defend the event, and various national newspapers have even taken an interest. However, the hype is now coming to an end, and the race will happen on Saturday 22nd August.’
‘The most important message you can help communicate is that other recreational users of Glen Coe, walkers, climbers etc, are extremely unlikely to be inconvenienced by the race. In fact, we welcome spectators and really hope that everyone will enter into the spirit of the event and cheer on the runners if they see them.’
‘We are not creating another mass participation fell or trail running event, but rather a world class Skyrunning course for experienced and competent participants. The Glen Coe Skyline is a fusion of mountain running and alpinism where competitors need to be skilled at both disciplines to negotiate the course.’
The SGCS arguably has one of the most experienced fields assembled in any race that has taken place in the UK. A race that has required participants to ‘prove’ competence to take part has made interesting reading for the race directors and Skyrunning UK.
Looking through the 170+ runners who will toe the line on Saturday August 22nd has confirmed the depth and talent of each and every Skyrunner. A familiar thread is noted, buzz words such as Bob Graham Round, Cullin Ridge, experienced climber, Skyrunning, Dolomites and Trofeo Kima appear regularly in the entry list. It makes highlighting some of the key runners for the race difficult.
However, one name clearly stands out, Emelie Forsberg. Emelie is the current Skyrunning World and European Champion for the Ultra distance. In less than 3-years, Emelie has risen through the Skyrunning ranks to be the female face of the sport.
‘I love the mountains and I love technical courses. This route looks amazing and a challenge. Ridge running and scrambling; I can’t wait!’ said Emelie after finishing 4th at the Dolomites SkyRace.
‘The mountains provide a wonderful natural playground and non more so than those in and around Glen Coe, the 2015 edition of the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline is going to be a spectacle like no other race that has taken place within the UK. We are fully aware that this race is not for everyone,’ said Ian Corless, Director for Skyrunning UK. ‘However, just like the top European races we want to invite people to come and join us for the weekend. We want a party, a celebration of running and in the process Ourea Events has in place opportunities to go into the mountains with guides and experience the race as spectators but in a safe way. This is going to be very special!’
Jasmin Paris, fresh from victory at the Berghaus Dragons Back Race and newly crowned British Fell Running Champion, will without doubt provide Emelie with a race. Jasmin’s experience of British fells and mountains may well provide a distinct advantage over the Skyrunning world champion?
Sharon Bird is an Irish International athlete, Gabriel Lees is a British Ski Mountaineering Champion and Victoria Moseley has excelled at Scaffell Pike and the 3 Peaks Race. But the female talent does not stop here, recent V3K winner and experienced Sky and mountain runner, Sarah Ridgway will be in the mix and we also need to keep a close eye on Liz Barker, and Gillian Caldwell. The ladies race is brimming with talent and the podium is wide open.
Esmond Tressider may well be the odds on favourite for the men’s race as he is a previous record holder for the Cullin Ridge and has had very recent experience of racing in Europe on the Skyrunner World Series. The last minute withdrawal of Finlay Wild increases Es’s chances but Joe Symonds will without doubt have other thoughts. Joe like Es, understands the UK mountains and fells and has extensive experience of racing in Europe.
Jim Mann won the 2015 Berghaus Dragons Back Race with a world-class dominating performance makes him a podium favourite and potential race winner.
Florian Reichert has been racing on the Skyrunner World Series for several years and has had great success at VK and SKY races. He recently ran the Tromso SkyRace so the ridges and scrambling at Glen Coe will play into his hands. He is however a runner that loves to go fast. Expect Florian to make places in the latter stages of the race.
Konrad Rawlik recently raced at the Berghaus Dragons Back Race and still produced a great performance despite injury. If fully recovered, we can expect Konrad to dictate the early pace and a podium place is a distinct possibility.
Scott Forbes, Anthony Alasdair, Andrew Barrington and Edward Hamer all may prove to be dark horses on a course that will test each and every participant to the limits. The race may only be ‘just’ over a marathon in distance but the accumulated ascent of over 4000m, technical ridges and scrambling make the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline THE race of 2015 and one that looks set to create a stir for years to come.