The Cape Wrath Ultra™ 2016 – Day 4

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Day 4 of the Cape Wrath Ultra was a stunner, no, it was amazing! The early morning cold temperatures and icy wind lifted to show the highlands in their true magnificence and what a course… today was arguably THE day of the Cape Wrath Ultra.

Just 69 runners (from 95) are left in the race, yes, the first 3-days have really started to hit! Although day-4 was a ‘recovery’ day (heard in the camp this morning!) of 22 miles, it was still a day of epic challenges and one seriously beautiful course. In particular, the section of trail from CP1 (on the A896) in the Glen Torridon that weaved it’s way up and up via a stony path between Spidean a Choire Leith and Spidean Coire nan Clach to the amazing cauldron that backed onto Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair. This is a stunning place! Despite tired legs, fatigue, pain and no matter what ailments, this place put a smile on every single participants face.

It may come as no surprise that Marcus Scotney once again lead the charge. He was instructed by event director, Shane Ohly, that under no circumstances must he start before 0900. For the remaining runners, the start window of 0700-0900 was open and many, despite fatigue, still decided to leave early in the hope that they would be back in camp to gain additional rest at the end of the day.

Finishing in Kinlochewe, Scotney stopped the clock in 4:05:52 and although Thomas Adams had been very close to hime at the midway point, he lost more time at the finish with a 4:22:22. Ian White finished 3rd and Pavel Paloncy finished 4th, their respective times 4:41:23 and 4:42:32 – looks like we may have a fight on our hands for 3rd place with Paloncy just 9-minutes advantage.

For the ladies, Ita Emanuela Marzotto was back on form today, with a definite, ‘I love the mountains!’ as she moved past me on the trail. Her time of 6:14:51 extended her lead over Laura Watson (overall ladies 2nd place) who finished in 6:42:26. However, 2nd lady on the stage and 3rd lady overall, Louise Staples stopped the clock in 6:34:04. We may have a battle on our hands for the ladies podium?

Ultimately, today was all about blue skies, white clouds and the stunning highlands, even Marcus Scotney stopped to grab some photos on his phone! Today was a special day and one that all the runners will not forget.

Roll on day 5 which once again is a (relative) shorter day of 27-miles and 1400m+ to Inverlael.

Follow the race and get more information http://www.capewrathultra.com

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West Slabs of Olympus

Time for another awesome video.

Jared Campbell attacking the ‘West Slabs of Olympus; fast June 2011.

Camera work by Ryan McDermott

Who is Jared? as if you didn’t know… but just in case!

What are some of your lifetime running goals?

– Sub 24 at Hardrock – Complete Nolans 14 – Colorado 14ers record (sub 10 days?) – Grand Traverse record (in Teton National Park) – Live in New Zealand and run all classic “treks”

Do you have a claim to fame?

– Knowing Zion National Park better than just about any human alive. – Blurring the line between runner, climber, canyoneer, biker

Do you have any vices?

None that I’m willing to admit pubically. 🙂

What makes you tick as a runner and in the real world?

As a runner : Seeing new places, coming up with crazy linkups, learning new things In the real world : Learning new things about the world, meeting colorful new people, traveling to new places

What drives you to run?

Having the fitness to do the things I love in the mountains

What is your favorite movie?

La Misma Luna

Do you have any nicknames? Explain:

Deraj. My name backwards

What’s the longest you’ve gone without sleep? Why?

72 hrs. It was a test to see if I could ween myself off of sleep. Didn’t work too well.

If you had to be named after one of the 50 states, which would it be?

Utah

What did you have for lunch yesterday?

Burrito

If you could hook up a thought monitor to your head, would you see pictures, hear words or would music be playing?

Pictures

What really scares you about trail running?

Nothing REALLY scares me. But, the scariest thing on trails are hunters!

If your life was made into a movie, what would it be called?

Simple Pleasures

Where would you live if it could be anywhere in the world?

New Zealand – South Island

What’s your worst encounter on the trail?

shoulder-checked a moose once. Scared the sh#t out of both of us.