Stage Two of the Highland Ultra is complete! Today’s course delivered nothing but rugged beauty, remote landscapes, and another unforgettable day on the trail.

Runners rose early from their Kinloch Hourn campsite and were immediately faced with scorching temperatures to start the day. A brutal wake-up call that required suncream and clothes changes, but one that paid dividends, rewarding runners with sweeping views of northwestern Scotland.

The first half of the route was classic Highland terrain: winding trails interspersed with trackless sections, chilly river crossings, and quiet mountain passes. A brief brush with civilisation was short-lived, as the route turned back toward the wild. The second half featured varied terrain, stunning ridgelines, and a final steep descent that brought runners back to camp muddy, tired, and elated.

Stage Two Podiums:

At the front of the pack, Benjamin Harrison once again put on a commanding performance, taking the win in 7:03:00. He was closely followed by Thomas Abbott in 7:15:00, with Kristian Valentin rounding out the men’s podium in 7:21:00.

On the women’s side, Ioana Barbu continued her impressive form, leading the field with a finish time of 7:59:00, sharing a finish time with Freddie Wootton. Colleen Ihnken and Becky Barnett followed with strong runs in 9:36:00 and 9:56:00, respectively.

Noteworthy Performances:

• First time ultra runner and local boy Craig Spence tackled the course with grit and determination, pushing through the pain barrier to clock 9:08:00, one of the day’s most consistent runs
• Lily Canter, finishing in 10:30:00, showed her strength on the descents and holds on to the chance to take an overall podium
• Josephine Caneilles and Aoife Ní Mháirtín stuck together through much of the course, encouraging one another through the most remote parts of the route and finishing just minutes apart in 12:09:00 and 12:11:00
• Matt Thornton, one of the final runners over the line in 12:58:00, pushed through fatigue with sheer perseverance

This was a day less about speed and more about resilience, teamwork, and the kind of mental strength that a place like Kinloch Hourn demands.