The Ring of Steall Sky Race

A report by James MacKeddie

The Ring of Steall Sky Race is the penultimate race in the Sky Running UK series. Based in the mythical valleys of the Western Highlands, the race starts and finishes in Kinlochleven, taking on the famous Ring of Steall walking route, only a lot faster.

With 18 miles of sodden mountain terrain to tackle and 2500 meters of ascent/descent, it’s not a route for frail legs or weak lungs.

Stian Angermund-Vik won this year in a new course record of 3:24:51, with fellow Salomon runner Laura Orgue finishing 18^th overall and setting a new female course record in 4:05:12.

Starting outside Kinlochlevens’s Ice Factor, the course quickly joins the West Highland Way, before a sharp turn right, winding a steep trail up to Sgurr an Lubhair. The single track makes passing tricky, with every footstep churning the soft ground under foot.

Photo: Andy Jackson

I pushed on power hiking the entire way (under my coaches orders), only stopping short of the Devil’s ridge to put on a waterproof as a cold wind was cutting through my jersey. Engulfed in drizzly cloud up to this point, the white soft sky parted to reveal the steep drop to my left, as I took on the ridge, shoes holding like limpets where possible to the greasy rocks beneath.

The descent into Glen Nevis was long. 1000 meters. Winding scree fields gave way to steep, sharp switch backs, as runners fell around, taken off their feet by the saturated undergrowth and uncompressed soil. Less than half way and legs were taking a beating.

Road and low level trail links the foot of Sgurr an Lubhair to the near vertical ascent of An Gearanach, via a broad and knee deep river crossing.

Photo: Andy Jackson

Exhausted runners sat on the climb, depleted of fuel, as others encouraged them to keep moving. This wasn’t so much a race, as a group of individuals looking to help each other finish back this far in the field.

It was at this point, some 8 miles from the finish, looking at my watch I realised the leaders would have finished. An equaliser and kick all at once.

Cautiously moving across the final ridges, legs tired and reactions not so sharp, the final ascent of Am Bodach was a welcome relief. It was downhill from here. Some 5 miles to be precise. Running down the same trail we ascended to the Devil’s Ridge, it was now a wide muddy bog. Knee deep in some areas, a gamble at times. I conserved energy, working around the edges as others passed.

2 miles to go and back on fire road, my southern road running legs engaged and I was able to pass many who had glided with ease on the descent. Finishing with a full sprint and a 7 minute closing mile, it was over.

6:04:10

The Ring of Steall represents the pinnacle of UK Sky Racing and one definitely worth the long journey. 1000 miles driven to run 18 miles.

I’ll be signing up again.

Photo: Andy Jackson