Two day adventure run is back for the second year

Runners will be heading to the Isle of Arran this weekend.

Rat race Adventure Sports is back with the Ultra Tour of Arran (UTA), a two-day 100km ultra distance off-road adventure run this April 13-14.

The run is on Arran, a perfect outdoor playground for the adventure run through the dense forests and coastal beaches on day one and iconic castles, deep glens and mountains, including Goatfell at 2,867 feet on day two.

The race is suited to a range of athletes from advanced fell runners to amateur sporting enthusiasts with a good base level of fitness. It is an achievable step up from a marathon into ultra-running territory, for both solos and pairs, who have prepared well and put in the training miles.

Last year, David Hellard was the winner of the race with the running time of 10:27:21 and his girlfriend, Claire Briggs was the first female at the finish line at 12:00:51.

The runners will have the option to take the 45km challenge of day one only through quiet paths, forest trails, boardwalk and tarmac sections through villages and forest dirt roads. The second day 100km challenge is off road and includes tough mountain sections. There will be several scheduled pit stops interspersed on the route each day, for that much needed quick rest and refuel.

Allie Bailey, a female ambassador for Rat Race Adventure Sports who took part in the UTA in 2018, said: ‘I love Scotland and I love a challenge. It was my first time on Arran and the island is glorious.The landscape is beautiful with such a great diversity of terrain.

‘During the race we reached many places that other people would not ordinarily see. I will be back to do it again. I enjoyed it so much.’

Runners will head to Arran this weekend

Jim Mee, MD of Rat Race Adventure Sports, said: ‘We are very pleased to be returning to Arran in 2019. The island has so much to offer our Rat Racers and their supporters over and above the huge variety of running terrain from north to south.

‘It has its own whisky distillery, brewery, craft gin, artisan cheese, aromatics, quality local food and drink together with that incredibly special island hospitality.’

To ensure runners, their families and friends have the best weekend Rat Race will operate from a central Basecamp, for UTA located in Brodickjust one kilometre from the island’s ferry terminal.

This hub will have all the quality trappings of a Rat Race event – good food and drink, great amenities, friendly and hospitable staff and Saturday night entertainment. A complimentary shuttle service from the ferry, together with camping, full serviced glamping; and limited paid parking options will also be available.

Rat Race is partnered with Children With Cancer UK, the leading national children’s charity dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer, in a pledge to fight the UK’s biggest child killer.

Rat Racers have raised over £1,000,000, across all Rat Race events, since the campaign began in 2015.

If runners take part in the Ultra Tour of Arran 2019 and raise £750 through Virgin Money Giving for Children with Cancer UK before race day, Rat Race will return their entry fee.

For details go to http://ratrace.com/uta/run-for-charity/.