Exciting news just in for tougher, more adventurous runners - a new 'expedition' race based on the iconic Cape Wrath Trail has been unveiled today. It sounds like a real biggie.

Billed as a once in a lifetime ultra-running expedition race, the Cape Wrath Ultra will take competitors on a 400km journey through the Highlands in June 2016, linking ancient footpaths and remote tracks from Fort William to the furthest northwesterly point of the British Mainland, Cape Wrath. That's assuming cometitors make it that far.

Race organiser Shane Ohly, the brains behind the recent Dragon's Back Race, describes the route: 

'Winding through the beautiful lochs, glens and mountains of the Scottish Highlands, the Cape Wrath Ultra is an ultra-running expedition through some of the World’s most inspirational landscapes, including Morar, Knoydart, Kintail, Torridon, Assynt and Sutherland.'

The new race is based on the Cape Wrath Trail, generally considered the toughest established (though unofficial) long distance backpacking route in the UK. It covers a phenomenal amount of rough, wild ground, with great distances between support points. Hikers usually take at least 20 days to complete the trail, interest in which has been stoked by the recent publication of a new Cicerone guidebook. What sort of time will the best runners be likely to manage?

'Our Cape Wrath Ultra route will be similar to the Cape Wrath Trail but with some important variations as we mould the journey for an ultra-running perspective' Shane explains. 

Detailed planning has begun and previous winter Charlie Ramsay Round record holder Gary Tompsett has been appointed as the Race Director and Planner. 

'Gary has a deep knowledge of various route options, the terrain, the weather, and the endless possibilities for a rich experience' says Shane - himself a previous winter Ramsay Round record holder. 

The race is described as a supported ultra-running expedition, in which competitors’ equipment will be transported each day and tented accommodation and all meals provided. This is the same successful formula that Ohly employed when he revived the Dragon’s Back Race in 2012 (see UKH news here). 

Entries open in January 2015. For more info email Shane Ohly