2025 Race Report

Well, that's a wrap on another Jura fell race - our third as organisers. We've more or less got the hang of things now, so everything went fairly smoothly from our perspective.

We were a bit gutted that the sunny weather we've enjoyed for the last few weeks didn't stick around for race day, though to be honest the cooler conditions were probably safer. The worst of the rain happened on Friday and Saturday night (sorry campers), but visibility was poor during the race, particularly in the morning. The early summits can be quite confusing at the best of times - the first climb up into the clag must have been quite daunting. As forecast, things improved towards the afternoon, when Corra Bheinn became visible from Craighouse. The sun even came out, and we awarded prizes outside - at the finish line - for the third year in a row.

Some notable highlights this year:

Finlay Wild (Lochaber AC) winning the race in 03:07:16, knocking 2 minutes off Billy Bland's 1988 MV40 record.
First-timer and U23 runner Lex Whitaker (Ambleside AC) winning the women's race in 04:10:42.
Dave Ward (Pennine Fell Runners) and Tom Westgate (Dark Peak Fell Runners) being awarded the George Broderick Plaque on completion of 21 Isle of Jura Fell Races each.
Lizzie Wastnedge (Hunters Bog Trotters) winning the John Dare Shield for completion of both the Scottish Island Peaks Race and the Isle of Jura Fell Race - as nominated by fellow competitors
Wiebke Lammers (Westerlands Cross Country Club) being awarded the John Hewit Cup for a notable first time performance.
Everyone pulling together to help a runner with a broken ankle between Aonach Bheinn and Beinn a’ Chaolais.

Finlay Wild approaches the finish line. (c) Sarah Thurlbeck

Fortunately, we weren’t at it alone. We had the backing of the best small-to-medium sized hill running club in the West of Scotland, a great hand-over from the previous organiser Emily and, crucially, lots of local support. The likes of Mountain Rescue, SPORTident and RAYNET have also been on Jura several-to-many times before.

Carnethy runners Ali Masson and Tim Morgan greet Selwyn Wright, the official race commentator and father to injured runner Jack. (c) Sarah Thurlbeck

After a tough shift on Friday setting up the village hall and briefing marshals, we felt quite prepared as dawn broke on Sunday. Registration went smoothly thanks to a small army of Westie kit checkers. Although we had several withdrawals in the days leading up to the race, there were only a handful of no-shows on the day, resulting in 233 runners on the start line. Our official starter, Aila, had everyone off at bang-on 10:30 - so far, so smooth.

Eleanor Johnstone approaches the finish line. (c) Sarah Thurlbeck

As the race got underway, the professionals took charge, with RAYNET on comms, Martin Stone of SPORTident managing the timing chips, and Oban and Arrochar Mountain Rescue and Rescue Medics in position. It’s hard to remember exactly what we did for the next few hours, but it definitely involved breakfast rolls from the Antlers bistro.

Sarah Clark beat her previous record for fastest female Ileach. (c) Sarah Thurlbeck

The weather had closed in following a fairly clear start to the day, and the Paps were shrouded in clag - down in Craighouse we were really feeling for the marshals and runners on the hill. A few hours into the race we heard the bad news about an injured runner, followed by a second – both having connected head with rock. Things got a bit hectic for a while, but fortunately both runners received the medical attention they needed and are OK - thanks in no small part to the actions of other runners out on the course who came to their aid. Off the hill, particular thanks are due to Andrew Fulwood who picked Jack up from the QE hospital in Glasgow and put him up for a night, and to Jill Darroch who helped us get James treated on Jura, avoiding an overnight stranding on Islay.

Robin Wilkins, winner of the John Dare Shield, is piped home to a sub-4h finish. (c) Dawn Waugh

By the time prize giving came round, the sun was back out, Tom’s voice had totally gone, and the last of 224 finishers were making their way along the ‘Craighouse parkrun’. The overall winners were Finlay Wild (3:07:07) and Eleanor Johnstone (4:18:43). Special mention to Sarah Clark who beat her previous record for fastest female Ileach whilst also stopping to administer first aid. The Westie men's team sportingly forfeited their prize in favour of the Carnethy runners who stopped to help Jack, and Harry Pulham (who reascended Beinn Shiantaidh to get help for Jack, then proceeded to finish the race) was slowed down enough to finish in 50th place, taking home our special 50th anniversary prize. The women’s team prize went to Westies after strong performances by Ellen Downs, Ella Foreman and Leyre Flores.

There are lots of other stories to recount, but we’ll finish with a quick note on female participation (more to follow). 66 women completed this year’s race – that’s a 68% increase on the year before. In terms of gender split on the start line, we think 2023 was a record year for the race (28% female).

Many, many thanks to all those who helped and supported the race with their time, prize donations, advice and enthusiasm!

See you next year,

Jenn & Tom