Isle of Jura Fell Race 2025

With 2370m of climb over 28km distance taking in 7 summits including the 3 Paps at >700m each, the Isle of Jura fell Race stands out as the highlight of the racing calendar.

The remote location of this race requires most participants to undertake a multi-day expedition including travel by car, boat, bike and another boat followed by exposed seaside camping whilst battling hordes of virile Scottish midges. Not so for the 6 pack of Glens Runners – Dominic McLarnon, Tim Lowry, John Marrs, Catherine McLaughlin, Joanna Wheeler-Connon and Jonny Steede who, for the 4th year running (for some), were plucked from the slipway at Cushendall and transported in style and comfort (choppy water aside) directly to the start line in Jura in under 2 hrs courtesy of Alistair (and Joe) on the good ship ‘Lagavulin’.

As for the race… with visibility poor at sea level, above 300m where we would be spending a large part of the day it was approximately ‘sweet fa!’. Very much a day for sticking with anyone who looked like they knew where they were going nevertheless navigation errors were plenty with CP1 proving particularly elusive. My own race highlight came while crossing a fast grassy trail section between CP1 and CP2 with a group of about a dozen other runners when a herd of deer emerged form the fog stampeding across our line, barely missing some of the men mid pack, before disappearing back into the clag. Trips and spills were mercifully few among the team (I upended in a boulder field gouging my hand and wrist in the process but I don’t like to complain) and we all returned to Craighouse intact and in good form (outwardly at least). In fact Tim attempted to sign up for next year’s race mere minutes after crossing the finish line!

The post race campsite showers were a game changer, the ‘Deer and Stormy’ (rum and ginger beer) cocktails back went down a treat, as did the sandwiches and cake courtesy of Joanna, as did the champagne reception back on board the boat courtesy of Alastair. With no cause to hang about for prize giving, we headed homeward on calmer seas than we had arrived on accompanied by a few Corona courtesy of Jonny, then into the boat club for a couple of restorative Guinness with dolphins breaching in the bay outside. Not a bad day out at all!