Intriguing battle ahead for Speyside Way ultramarathon title
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AN open battle for the Speyside Way ultramarathon is expected when runners get under starter's orders this Saturday.
The original 36-mile race will be joined again by the 101km version, the latter first making its appearance last summer.
Race director Kyle Greig was expecting an interesting contest for the original race with, at the time of writing, no clear favourite emerging.
He said: "I think it'll be quite an open race as things stand at the moment, there's no-one who you'd immediately mark as a favourite.
"It's quite an interesting mix we've got, with a lot of runners from Moray as well as from the islands. There're a couple of people from the USA, one from Barcelona and quite a few from England, so it's a fair spread we've got.
"At the moment we've got around 120 or so signed up, which I'm happy with. I'll be looking to add another 30 or so to that by race day.
"There's quite a few people have places deferred from last year.
"In the 101km race, our numbers are slightly lower at the moment on 2021; last year we picked up entries as we were coming out of Covid and other races had been cancelled. The 101km race is a tough test.
"The course is looking really, really good and is great to run although the section between Cragganmore and Cromdale is very tough. It's a very scenic course.
"The main element, though, is making sure everybody has a really good time.
"Our marshals and volunteers really make the race, we literally couldn't do it without them. Many of the runners have told us that they are one of the main reasons they come back to run the course again."
Last year saw Andy Bryce claim the overall title, breaking the four-hour barrier by just four seconds while American athlete Katherine Scheibner was the first female home.
Over in the 101km race, Ellon's Jamie Pallister took the tape, with Fife runner Jacqueline MacIntyre winning the ladies’ event over the long distance.
Runners in the 36 mile race are due to get under way at Ballindalloch at 7pm, two hours after those participating in the 101km race who day starts at Aviemore. Both races will finish at the start/terminus of the Speyside Way in Buckie.
The Speyside way ultras are now part of a series of races brought together by Grieg, comprising the Moray Coastal Trail 50, the Moray Way 100, the Moray Way 100 Relay and the Dava Way 50, which is set to be held on November 12.
Greig added: "Last year was amazing, we went from one race [the Speyside ultra] to a series of races.
"For the Moray 100 we introduced a relay format option this year in order to try and entice in some non-ultra runners. Many we inspired by seeing those doing the full race and will hopefully make the step up.
"The whole series is shaping up really well and it's a great way to showcase Moray."
For more on the Speyside Way ultras and the other races in the series, visit https://www.moraywayultras.com/
