Skyline Scotland Returns & British Women Dominate Podiums: This Week's Trail Tally

A view from Skyline Scotland’s Youtube Channel

Chasing Trails: Week 39

We were back in the Highlands this week following amazing feats up and around Ben Nevis, as the Skyline Scotland race series returned with some new routes and inspiring performances. And there was more British success with Natalie Taylor claiming 3rd in the Tor des Géants in Italy and Poppy Collingwood 2nd in the Julian Alps 120km race in Slovenia. A fantastic set of results from the British ladies, well done! 

- Kate Parker, Director - Founder

Skyline Scotland Returns with New Formats & New Winners

The epic Salomon Skyline Scotland race series has gone through a few transformations, returning this year with exciting new formats and a link to the Golden Trail World Series, too. The Ben Nevis Skyline was undoubtedly the highlight, with podium finishers receiving an invite to the Golden Trail finals in Ledro Valley, Trentino, Italy, taking place in October. But the Steall Marathon and the Jacobite 100 also put on some amazing challenges for those looking to run longer on the rugged Highlands terrain.

The Ben Nevis Skyline covered 29 km in a “high-octane mountain race” with technical climbs, ridgelines, and difficult descents. It is closest to the old and now “legendary” Glen Coe Skyline route that attracted world-class skyrunners such as Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg a few years ago. The new route requires runners to climb 1,800 m and takes them to the top of Ben Nevis and across the impressive ridgeline of the Càrn Mòr Dearg Arete (a grade 1 scramble!). It was Elle Twentyman who claimed the victory on the day, finishing the difficult route in 3:22:38, ahead of Mia Padmanabhan (3:44:06) and Chloe Lumsdom (3:58:29). And, only two weeks after winning the Ben Nevis Race, Sasha Chepelin returned for another victory in the area, finishing in 2:50:57. He was joined on the podium by Finn Lyndon (2:55:10) and Ewan Dowd (3:01:33).

Elle Twentyman victorious at the Ben Nevis Skyline © No Limits Photos on Instagram

For those looking for a long challenge, the Jacobite 100 weaved through glens and along lochs, taking runners on a 100k journey from the Bridge of Orchy along the West Highland Way, then onto more adventurous territory through Glen Etive, up the famous Devil’s Staircase and down into Kinlochleven, and finally finishing near Fort William at the Nevis Range Events Centre. It’s a runnable route, however there is still 2,400 m of elevation gain and plenty of difficult terrain, made even trickier by tough weather conditions this year.

Beth Langley, the women’s race winner, tells us how it all happened: “I felt strong through the first half, running in a small group alongside two other women, together making up the top three… We then headed into serious bog and long grass along Loch Etive, making it difficult to navigate. Progress was slow, but it wouldn’t really be a race in Scotland without some bog! 

As the route became hillier in the second half, I felt in my element on the terrain I love most. I naturally pulled away from the group I was running with on the first major climb, feeling it was the right moment to push on. I felt strong on the ascents and loved the long, cruisy descents that followed.

The wheels started to come off with about 20km to go, as I’d let my fueling slip a little bit. But by then the finish was in sight, and I managed to hang on. I was super happy with my race and crossing the line as first female was the cherry on top.”

Beth finished the race in an impressive 12:47:06, followed by Noemi Low in 13:35:49 and Alexandra Bouloux in 13:38:20 close together. In the men’s race, victory went to Poland’s Pawel Cymbalista in 11:37:28. Ewen Larnicol (France) was second in 11:53:38, just ten seconds in front of Aaike De Wever (Belgium) in 11:53:48. Quite the finish for a 100k!

Finally, the Steall Marathon found a middle ground: 42 km with 2,200 m of ascent, starting in Kinlochleven and taking on the Mamores ridge, eventually joining the last part of the Jacobite 100k. Runnable in parts, but certainly challenging in others! Congratulations to Brennan Townshend who claimed the victory in 4:31:25, followed by Tom Owens (4:44:13) and Jono Atkinson (4:57:14) for an all-British men’s podium. In the women’s race, Laura Dozier (Switzerland) won in 5:10:12, followed by Robyn Cassidy (5:22:17) and Ester Everitt (5:33:30). 

Beth Langley at the finish of Jacobite 100 © Skyline Scotland Instagram  

Natalie Taylor’s Triumph at the Tor

The Tor des Géants, a gruelling 330 km run through the Aosta Valley in Italy, took place last week. It was a fantastic race to follow as top ranked Brit Natalie Taylor competed in the top five, then top three, through the week. After a hard battle, she claimed a fantastic third place in 84 hours, 11 minutes, and 31 seconds, close behind previous Tor winner Lisa Borzani (83:26:06). It was Dutch runner Noor Van Der Veen who climbed on the top step of the podium, only the second woman to go under 80 hours on this route, in 79:34:30.

Natalie Taylor at the Tor des Géants finish line © Tor des Géants Instagram

More British Success in the Julian Alps

In another instalment of the UTMB World Series, the Julian Alps events took runners on a fantastic journey in the surroundings of scenic Lake Bled and the mountains around. Last year’s Ultra British champion Poppy Collingwood followed up her 2nd place at the Arc of Attrition 50-miler this January with a fabulous 2nd place in the I Feel Slovenia 120 km race. She completed the race in 17:37:14 behind winner Miria Meinheit (17:16:45) and in front of Marina Oana (18:20:05).

This was Poppy’s longest distance run to date, and it qualifies her for both the UTMB (100 miles) and the CCC (100 km) at next year’s UTMB World Series Finals. We’re excited to see what she chooses!

Poppy crossing the finish line in 2nd place © Julian Alps Instagram

And well done to Oliver Shaw, who claimed third in the 80k (9:11:10), just in front of fellow Brit Alex Hamlet (9:21:30). Poland’s Karol Sioła was the winner (8:32:56) and Italy’s Edoardo Rossano followed in 8:37:50.

Men’s 80k Podium © Julian Alps Instagram