Trail runners conquer Ben Nevis

Last Saturday, Nevis Conservation Officer Julia joined the 1,700 other attendees gathered at Nevis Range as part of the Saloman Scotland Skyline weekend.

The event was hosted by Ourea and is part of the Golden Trail World Series, which celebrates some of the most unique and iconic trail runs in the world. Seven races took place on the Saturday, with distances ranging from 10km to 100km and all abilities from complete beginners to elite runners welcomed.

One of the events, the Ben Nevis Skyline race, took place in part on our land and welcomed more than 400 participants. Despite less-than-ideal weather conditions, runners took on 28.1 km and 1,600 m of climbing as the course carried them across the summit of Nevis.

After reaching the peak, the Skyline route took runners across the impressive ridgeline of Càrn Mòr Dearg, down to the col into Coire Dearg Daim and then back to Nevis Range.

Julia was on hand throughout the weekend, carrying out pre-event monitoring on the Friday and marshalling during the race itself.

Nevis Conservation Officer Julia Robertson said “As a runner myself, I understand the impact that large events like these have on the environment and sensitive habitats given the sheer amount of footfall and pressure to path networks. Hence the need for ecological insight and pre and post event monitoring.

“A compromise was needed when route setting, choosing lines that were the least environmentally damaging whilst not deviating too far from the routes given which would cause confusion for runners. It was great seeing all the runners on course pushing their limits and following the route signage.”

Saloman Skyline Scotland was established 2015, with its first event taking place at Glen Coe and featuring only race. After a break in 2024, this year it relaunched its sold out event at Nevis Range.