Last night the sun set on another amazing Highland Ultra race. The runners and race team somehow found enough energy reserves to pass the evening celebrating. They talked through their adventure in the West Highlands as the ceilidh band played, the campfire burned, and a colossal amount of curry was consumed. The hardiest were up for hours under the stars.

Stage Three started 5 minutes ahead of schedule entirely because our runners were impatient to get to the after-party and had all assembled ahead of time at the start line. The plan was to have the fastest runners take a breathtaking ridgeline route which leads to a world-beating view of Loch Nevis and Inverie far, far below.

Unfortunately, the wind speeds were worse than forecast in the morning and thick low clouds brought visibility down to next to nothing. Though disappointed not to see even more of this stunning area, nobody complained about being united with their luggage and being handed a beer and burger earlier than expected.

The stage being shorter, the runners arrived in relatively quick succession and in good condition. A crowd steadily gathered around the finish line and the congratulations became louder and longer for each finisher until the last placed runner was celebrated loudest of all and the after-party began.

The winners of Highland Ultra 2023 are Fredrik Pettersen, Axel Jansson and Lauren Gregory, who also took 6th place overall. Kyri Pittalis came 3rd after a very strong final half of the race, and Susie Drinkwater and Sarah Scarth completed the women’s podium, a pattern the pair had set and stuck to from Stage One.

We’re pleased to note that all 3 of the top women finished in the top 10.

Also, 40% of this year’s entrants were women and they made up just under 50% of the finishers.

Thanks once again for following our runners. We hope you enjoyed your look into this stunning area of Scotland. If you want to join us in Inverie next April and see the full picture, you can enter Highland Ultra 2024 here.

STAGE THREE RESULTS:

OVERALL STANDINGS