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18th may 2007

Runners assemble for the start of the hill race on Tuesday

The 2007 Cape Wrath Challenge has started with the first running events, a half marathon and 10K last Monday. With clear blue skies the runners were engrossed in the stunning scenery as they ran back to Durness from the appropriate starting points east of the village, running round Loch Eriboll through Laid and beside Ceannabeinne beach before arriving back in Durness. As unpredictable as many times emphasised some runners were caught in a heavy rain shower while others had no experience of the change. The sixth year of the Challenges has kept a similar format as previous years with the alteration of only the half marathon route between the west and east of the village. Tuesday’s hill run was run in similar conditions taking runners along old peat tracks into the hills before returning back to finish at the village hall. A week of running with a short and long option each day is combined with a programme of social events all cumulating with e the Challenge marathon on the final day. A 26.2 mile run to Britain’s most north westerly point Cape Wrath and back to the village. The social events have been diversified this year and on Sunday the runners for the week were warmly welcomed at a wine and cheese reception inn the village hall. On Monday night the Sango Sands Oasis hosted the pub quiz were teams competed their general knowledge and once again “the Barbie’s”- the Sango’s own team won the shield. Quizmaster Graham Bruce, chairman of the Cape Wrath challenges, with his able assistant Katy Lee shaped the questions and tried to ensure all played by the rules. This year has seen an increasing numbers participating in the event and team entries reached their limit for the marathon on Saturday (tomorrow). A full report and set of results will be available next week.

Cape Wrath range
 

Cape wrath range including Garvie island will be active with various combinations of air bombardment, naval gunfire support and helicopter operations during the following dates:04 to 08 June 2007, 1300 to 1700 hrs, daily 11 to 14 June 2007, 1300 to 1700 hrs, daily 18 to 22 June 2007, 0800 to 2359 hrs, daily
When the range is active, red flags will be flown and sentries positioned on the u70 road. All efforts will be made to keep the u70 road open. However due to the nature of some practices and in the interest of public safety, closure may be necessary. During the above dates access advice can be sought from the sentries, who will be in contact with the range officer conducting the firing, or by contacting the freephone number. However, whatever the nature of the practice, under no circumstances is any person to leave the road or proceed anywhere onto the land, particularly the land north of the road within the range area, when the red flags are flying.
For further information on the opening and closing of the road and military activity telephone the range freephone number.0800 833300