British Trail Running Feats: Race Across Scotland & SkyRun Eryri 2026

Race Across Scotland. Photo credit: Evan Davies

August brings around exciting international racing every year, but two iconic British events take centre stage first: the Race Across Scotland and SkyRun Eryri. They may be quite different, from multi-day running covering 215 miles to shorter efforts in very technical Welsh mountains, but they both make for amazing challenges that we’re so inspired by!

- Kate, Founder & CEO

Race Across Scotland. Photo credit: Joel Jameson

Race Across Scotland Crowns Laura Swanton-Rouvelin and Ben Seldon

The Race Across Scotland, organised annually by GB Ultras, is an impressive coast-to-coast challenge: 215 miles across the Southern Upland Way, starting in Portpatrick on the western coast of Scotland and finishing at Cockburnspath. 

172 runners took on the challenge, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Running at the front of the women’s race from the start, Anna Rutherford stormed the course and covered over 200 miles in the first 56 hours… however, injury forced her to retire in the very late stages of the run. Behind her, Laura Swanton-Rouvelin was running a measured race in second, gradually pushing on and moving into the lead. She would hold on to first place and finish in a total of 69:04:10, with a good margin on second-placed Jessi Morton-Langehaug (72:38:21). 

Jessi gave a great account of her day on Instagram, highlighting the difficulty: bogs, lots of wet vegetation, cold and wet days and nights. By the third day, she welcomed the sun and heat, despite them presenting their own challenges in addition to the fatigue. Having completed multiple “last one standing” race formats in the US, as well as iconic 100-mile events like the Western States Endurance Run, this was Jessi’s first race abroad and she did an amazing job. Here’s hoping she chooses to return!

Finally, third in the women’s race was Ireland’s Una Miles, finishing in 77:22:22, and 12th position overall. The female athletes put on an absolute masterclass in grit and endurance, as Laura was fifth overall and Jessi, seventh.

In the men’s race, Ben Seldon was strong and consistent throughout, leading from early on and finishing in 57:50:09. He was joined on the podium by Mike Samuels (59:25:48) and Lee Mitchell (65:42:36). A special mention needs to be made of Jon Park, fourth finisher (67:05:15) who emerged victorious over the route in his fourth attempt - great determination!

Huge congratulations to all the 87 finishers!

SkyRun Eryri. Photo credit: APEX Running / SkyRun Eryri

SkyRun Eryri: A Weekend of Technical Running in the Welsh Mountains

Moving across to Wales, we had the SkyRun Eryri weekend, organised by APEX Running: a feast of technical ridges, climbs, and rocky descents in Eryri, with distances ranging from a fast 10-miler (the Fairy Trail, featuring 950 m of climbing), to the 14 Peaks Ultra (55 km / 34 miles with 3900 m of elevation).

In the Fairy Trail, Ellen McArthur claimed the win in 1:57:09, climbing over Moeil Eilio and rushing down grassy slopes in a convincing display of speed, battling Lauren McCann who followed her seconds after in second place (1:57:33). Poppy Boyden was third in 2:05:13. In the men’s race, Justin Gardner claimed the win in 1:37:52, followed by Kevin Butter (1:39:35) and Luke Miller (1:47:38). 

The other three distances were all part of the SkyRunner UK & Ireland Series 2026, starting with the Copper SkyTrail: 27 km with 2300 m of ascent. It was Max Walker (3:17:25) and Lucy Etzensperger (3:58:53) who claimed the wins, with podiums rounded out by James Miller (3:28:04) and Enda Cloak (3:30:01) in the men’s race and by Lucy Milling (4:25:00) and Rhiannon Wooldridge (4:35:49) in the women’s race.

In the Snowdon Skyrace (38 km with 3300 m of elevation), Ed Brewer returned to the event after winning the 2025 edition, this time not only reclaiming the first position, but also setting a new course record! He finished in 5:19:09, followed by Sam Mayglothling (6:09:29) and Tom Scrivens (6:37:05). The women’s race was won by Bryony Shircore (7:18:13), followed by Sanne Vinks (7:32:42) and Helen Brown (7:53:59). 

Finally, the 14 Peaks Ultra: a tour of fourteen 3000-ft peaks taking in the iconic Carneddau, Glyderau and Yr Wyddfa massifs on difficult terrain for a fulfilling challenge. Jeremy Swainson set his mark on the course, winning in 7:30:56, ahead of second-placed Chris Booth (8:05:09) and third-placed Mark Baines (8:14:09). In the women’s race, Alexandra Francesca Rose Westley won in 10:38:15. She was joined on the podium by Anwen Darlington (10:45:41) and Michelle Attridge (11:17:17).

A big well done to all!

I loved this week of dot watching: from extreme distance and changing conditions across Scotland to shorter, sharper running on technical terrain in Eryri, everyone who took to the start is an absolute inspiration. 

- Alecsa Stewart