Racing Across Scotland & More British Success Abroad: This Week's Trail Tally

© GB Ultras Race Across Scotland on YouTube

Chasing Trails: Week 33

While it’s been a little quieter on the home front this weekend, international races are heating up as we get closer to the big Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc week at the end of the month. We were excited to follow British runners at some high-profile events in Europe, such as the iconic Sierre-Zinal race. And we’ve still got our eyes glued on the trackers as the 215-mile Race Across Scotland is unfolding as we prepare this email. Brilliant work to all the runners!

- Kate Parker, Director - Founder 

The Race Across Scotland Tests Runners Across 215 Miles

Now in its ninth year, the GB Ultras Race Across Scotland is a coast-to-coast ultra running adventure like no other. It follows the Southern Upland Way from the western coastline of Scotland at Portpatrick, across 215 miles of varied terrain and gorgeous views, to the east coast at Cockburnspath.

The race started at 6am on Saturday, 9th August, and it’s still ongoing as we prepare this week’s report. As checkpoints are slightly off the exact Southern Upland Way, runners will cover approximately 220 miles in total, and they have until 10pm on Wednesday, 13th August, to do so (a total time of 100 hours). 

As of Monday morning, Iain Bethune had covered over 193 miles, closing in on the final checkpoint with Ed Payne and Dave Walker-Blair around 8 miles behind. Anna Troup, this year’s Summer Spine Race winner and women’s record holder, is in fourth position overall and leading the women (followed by Carly Evans and Danielle MacGill). We’ll update with the final results next week.  

Stills of Anna during the race © Race Across Scotland Instagram

British Runners’ Success in International Races

One of the most iconic trail running races on the international calendar took place this past weekend: Sierre-Zinal, also known as the Race of the Five 4000 after the five 4000m+ high mountains it goes past in the Valais in Switzerland. Fast and breathtaking, both from the views and the high altitude (the route climbs up to 2424 m at its highest point, with most of it keeping runners at over 2000 m), Sierre-Zinal covers 31 km, with 2200 m of elevation gain and 1100 m vertical drop at the end. It attracts the world’s top runners every year, and 2025 was no different. Top ranked British runners among a stacked field were Naomi Lang (11th in the women’s race in a time of 3:07:16) and Thomas Roach (16th in the men’s race with a time of 2:39:35, also winning his age group). A huge well done to them!

And, still in Switzerland, Meryl Cooper returned to 100k racing with a bang, winning the Swiss Alps 100k in 15:35:48. On a tough course with 6,250 m of climbing, Meryl was also 7th overall and over 90 minutes ahead of the second-placed woman. 

Meryl Cooper Winner of Swiss Alps 100k © Stuart Ross Media

24-Hour Victories at Sandringham

Back in the UK, Run Sandringham challenged runners with 24-hour races around the grounds of Sandringham Estate, the Royal Family’s winter retreat. The looped course was 5 miles long, with the option of completing it as a solo runner or in relay teams. 

Alex Marshall was victorious in the women’s solo run, completing 25 laps (125 miles) in 23:29:41. She ran the biggest distance of everyone on the weekend.

Karen Wickens was second with 21 laps in 22:59:12, followed by Jacky Walsingham with 20 laps in 22:44:46. In the men’s event, Lee Mitchell completed 23 laps in 22:55:55, followed by Samuel Spencer (22 laps, 22:22:37) and Ben Fox (22 laps, 23:13:57).  

© Sandringham Blogspot