Calum Oates, running in his first Ultra, The Kintyre Way, some 32 miles of mixed terrain, ran a very impressive race in what could be almost ideal condition. The field of runners was about 100 strong, limited by the restrictions in place at the time. After a kit check before starting, he was off, 6th in the order of hopeful times (4hrs 40mins). The route followed the shoreline, much of it on the beach from Tayinloan to Clachan and by the first checkpoint he was in 4th place and a third of the way there. A quick stop for personal needs and energy boost and then off again, this time heading up the hills through some tricky route finding and underfoot conditions onto trails and forest tracks. Conditions were very good with only a light breeze and clear sunny skies, maybe a bit warm for runners, but Calum responded well and by the 2nd checkpoint at Skipness he was in clear 2nd place and had built up a decent lead over the 3rd placed runner. Another energy boost at Skipness and off again for the last section. The hill rising out of Skipness stretches away out in front of you and goes up an up as far as you can see, and that’s not the only one. This section has stoney paths, forest and grass sections waiting to be navigated and is regarded as being the hardest part of the course. Arriving in Tarbert at the finish in 4h 28m and 42secs a very tired Calum could finally stop, knowing that he was 2nd overall while the winner, a 20 year old called Kieran Cooper had smashed the course record. Both Calum and Kieran were first timers on this course and who knows ….. it might not be the last. Well done Calum.
Results
Men’s Solo sponsored by Beinn an Tuirc
1 Kieran Cooper 04.02.36
2 Calum Oates 04.28.42
3 Nicholas Gemmell 04.31.25