The BTU running community truly is incredible. 

Day three started with the breaking of camp at Kinlochhourn, the runners dropping tents and stowing equipment before heading off onto the course. 

Like a pack of chasing wolves they thundered along the coast of Loch Hourn, back up over Mount Barrisdale, and then further onto Sgurr Coire Choinnichean and its formidable ridgeline.

Runners battled the stage alone, in pairs, and in small groups, but all were bonded by the challenge and beauty of the winding path. As they summited the final ridge they were blessed by clear skies, granting them a view that stretched from snow-capped Ben Nevis to the jagged Cuilin Ridge out on the Isle of Skye. 

The community spirit within Knoydart is special, particularly so when faced with adversity. It was incredibly humbling to witness the entire of this remote peninsulas population rallying around their own, tackling a house fire that broke out during the race with buckets, hoses, and fire extinguishers from every house in the village. 

Special mention should go out to BTU Crew members Nick, Photographer Andrew, James, who heads up our medical partner Exped Medics as well as Medic Sam for wading into the fray, helping locals fight the fire at source and then treating minor injuries afterward. We’re privileged to have them as part of the team. 

They weren’t the only ones putting the local community at the fore though. Runners Robert Richardson, Edward Moore, and David Nicholas went straight into service post race, helping locals carry firedamaged belongings to safety and espousing Beyond the Ultimates values. True gentlemen that make us proud of our community.

After assisting the locals they still got to celebrate, with huge cheer from the crew they were handed their finishers medals and enjoyed a moment of celebration at the finish line. 

Out on the hills the runners faced massive climbs, tussocks and technical descents as they chased Race Director Kris King around the course. The hardest section was the descent down into Inverie, giving runners one last bruising before the finish line.  

At the finish line the catering team worked hard preparing meals to feed hungry runners and their fellow competetors cheered them across the line, all the while with a splendid view of the sun setting over the Isle of Skye.

In first position in the men’s race was Robert Richardson in 4hrs 40mins, taking the triple crown of three stage wins! He was followed by Edward Moore (5hrs 10mins) and Craig Hamilton-Smith (5hrs 53mins). 

In the women’s race Brittney Stewart and Marie-Lou Alemany came in together for a joint first place in 6hrs 8mins, closely followed by Nolwynn Denis in 6hrs 41mins.

The finishers followed thick and fast after that, with each individual having their own stories to tell of their race journey! 

Kaspar dove straight into the freezing waters of Loch Nevis, Craig sprinted across the line with a grin on his face, and Jules and Julian came in together saying they couldn’t have done it alone, citing the brotherhood found in the hills as their reason for finishing. 

Jenny said it was all worth it, tough weather and rough terrain were forgotten when she got up onto the ridge and took in the views. “Every day was different, we got plenty of Scottish Weather!” Said Nolwynn as she crossed the line, and Jonny Pain told us with a wink: “It’s taken something, either my heart, my soul, or my sanity”. 

We’re wrapping up here in Knoydart with a beer in Britains remotest pub and live music from a local traditional folk band.

As we say in Scotland Slàinte Mhath!

Full overall results will be out soon, but for now please enjoy your stage 3 finishing results.