What an epic race that was! But to properly tell the story we need to go back more than a year to June 2023 and as it was then called, the Lionsgate Backyard Ultra. I had gone there as part of Team Scotland, with high expectations after winning God’s Own Backyard Ultra 2022 and madeContinue reading “Pig on the Hill Backyard Ultra 2024”
Author Archives: Iain Bethune
Interview: Burton & Dixon
Due to injury, I unfortunately had to defer my Cape Wrath Ultra entry to 2025. However, with the time already booked off work and inlaws visiting to help with child care, I was fortunate enough to be able to volunteer on the event team for a second time. While it was obviously a shame notContinue reading “Interview: Burton & Dixon”
Training for Ultramarathons
It’s something that both Julie and I get asked quite a lot, so I thought it would be worth taking the time to write a proper blog post explaining what sort of training I do, but also why as well as some thoughts on how to construct a training plan. A few caveats before weContinue reading “Training for Ultramarathons”
Glenfarg Railway Tunnels
This isn’t a complete route per se but more of an interesting place to run that can easily be visited as part of various different possible routes. I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve been through the tunnels now, but last weekend I went back to take a few pictures and share themContinue reading “Glenfarg Railway Tunnels”
There and Back Again…
Not “… A hobbit’s tale, by Bilbo Baggins”, but rather the Ochil 100 – both directions along the Ochil 50 route back-to-back 🤪 Julie had run (and won) the Ochil 50 last year so I’ll spare you the blow-by-blow route description (re-read her post if you’re looking for route info) and just give you aContinue reading “There and Back Again…”
Salomon Sense Ride and Sense Escape
It’s been a while since I did a gear review on the blog, but the ones that we have done are some of the most popular posts we’ve got… so time for another. This time, what’s more important to runners than what’s on your feet? For me, that means a pair of Salomons – I’veContinue reading “Salomon Sense Ride and Sense Escape”
Loch Ness 24 2023
This race was simultaneously the worst and the best thing I have ever done – I’m still buzzing from it 4 days later as I write this 😁 So many challenges along the way, but I managed them all and came away with a result that I still can’t quite wrap my head around! ButContinue reading “Loch Ness 24 2023”
By Way of the Glen
Some time last year I heard that Rocket Events were putting on an extension to their annual Great Glen Way Ultra, adding (just!) the whole West Highland Way beforehand to make a 170 mile + 21,500 ft of climb continuous route all the way from Glasgow to Inverness via Fort William. It sounded just likeContinue reading “By Way of the Glen”
Interview: Béné & Jeep
One of the best parts about volunteering at Cape Wrath Ultra earlier this year was getting to see all the competitors achieving (or even exceeding) their own goals as the event went on. For some it was a solo journey, while for others they buddied up out on the route. One pair that I sawContinue reading “Interview: Béné & Jeep”
Volunteering at Cape Wrath Ultra 2023
The Cape Wrath Ultra is an epic 250 mile, 8 day stage race organised by Ourea Events that follows the Cape Wrath Trail Starting from Fort William right up the West Coast of Scotland to finish at the lighthouse on mainland Scotland’s most North-westerly point – Cape Wrath! This year there were roughly 180 competitorsContinue reading “Volunteering at Cape Wrath Ultra 2023”