Skye half marathon

If you are driving to the start then there is a large free car park a few hundred metres away from the start. Head into town and the car park is on the right and clearly marked.

The number pick up is in Portree High School which also offers bag drop and food. Of course there are toilets which do as usual get busy for the ladies. There is also access to showers and swimming at the end of the run. The whole race being on closed roads which is brilliant.

Race starts about 10:30. The first part of the race seems cramped but after only half a kilometer starts to open out and starts a gradual climb.

However you are facing a steep climb about v out that does separate the runners. This is then followed by some nice running up to the turn point at around . The route is very much out in the open with no hiding place from the weather. There are frequent water stops which are really well managed and you a guaranteed a smile and cheer. Support on the route is limited but very enthusiastic when you do pass people.

On the second half of the route you feel like you are forever running uphill though that is not the case. The hills are not too steep but seem long. On downhill sections all you see is the next climb looming up ahead. The views to the Cullins and surrounding countryside are immense. For all the up, this is a great wee run.

After (12 mile marker) you start to hit the downhill back towards the village. Parts of this are hard as your legs are tired, but who cares as you are nearly there. The crowds start to build and the encouragement is brilliant as you run into the school and the finish line.

Make sure you don't run past the man with the free beer after the finish line.

This is popular race and does sell out. Compared to other Scottish island races this is a big event and easier to get in. There is also a good chance of getting in on the waiting list as there are a lot of call offs.

You can drive to Skye over the bridge or take a ferry from places such as Mallaig. We drove but it is a long 5 to 6 hour drive from the central belt.

The whole area is suitable for a wee pre run. If you stay in Dornie then you have the famous Eilean Dorin castle as a possible route.

At the local Portree High School

Portree High School

Brilliant welcoming crowds, a medal, water, caramel wafer, banana and a bottle of local beer. Top all that with a pipe band and you have a great place to finish. In 2019 the sun was shinning.

There are lots of hotels and bed and breakfast places on and before Skye. The island is really popular with tourists at this time of the year so book as soon as you can. We stayed in Dornie at the B and B which was fab and about a one hour drive to the start.