Ian, originally from Yorkshire, had returned to the event for a second time after a 2018 attempt when he finished, but felt that he didn’t do himself justice. Ian, who is the founder of Trail Running Scotland and coached three of the other race finishers, comments:  “I am really pleased. It was never about racing anyone else but about just having a good eight days of running. That was my best eight days of running ever. Last time, I was broken at the Torridon stage of the race and had to limp to the end. I am very pleased with how the race has gone this time,”

Cape Wrath Ultra 2021 - Day 8 - Ian Stewart heads for the finishing line - Image ©  No Limits Photography

Sally Fawcett and Lisa Watson finished in second and third places, in 52:56:23 and 53:25:10 respectively. The friends, who are both members of Dark Peak Fell Runners, also held these positions for the whole challenge from Fort William to the most north-westerly point in mainland Britain.

Cape Wrath Ultra 2021 - Day 8 - Sally Fawcett winner of the women's race and second overall - Image © No Limits Photography

The full top 10 was:

1^st - Ian Stewart (total time 50hrs and 39mins) – first male

2^nd - Sally Fawcett (52:56) – first female

3^rd - Lisa Watson (53:25) – second female

4^th – Ritchie Williamson (55:51) – second male

5^th – George Winkley (55:56) – third male

6^th – Alasdair Meldrum (57:18)

7^th – Mark Smithg (57:29)

8^th - Andrew Richardson (58:01)

9^th – Charles Smith (58:07)

10^th – Sabrina Verjee (58:16) – third female.

Cape Wrath Ultra 2021 - Day 8 - the top three - l-r Sally Fawcett Ian Stewart Lisa Watson - Image © No Limits Photography

Of the 86 runners who set out on day one, 52 completed the race.

The Cape Wrath Ultra was organised by Ourea Events and race director Shane Ohly comments: “I think it has been special because we are geared up logistically for 300-plus runners and while the numbers have been reduced due to the pandemic (especially international participants), we can’t really reduce the support when we have a vision of what we want the race to be. As a result, participants this year have had a very special experience and they have been incredibly well supported from the operational side. I also think that the coming-out-of-Covid spirit has really shone through and people have needed that time in the hills and the chance to connect back with the outdoors and the ultra running community. It has been tangible.”

Watch the highlights of the final day