The Isle of Jura Fell Race is an annual fell race held in May, starting and finishing at Craighouse on the Scottish island of Jura. The course loops west and north over several hills including the Paps of Jura. After the last climb to Corra Bheinn, a boggy descent takes the runners down to the tarmac coastal road which is followed for the final three miles to the finish. The route is approximately 17 miles (27 km) in length, with around 2,350 metres (7,710 ft) of ascent. As well as being known for the very difficult rocky and boggy terrain involved, the race is notable for its remoteness. The journey to the start of the race typically involves a ferry journey from the Scottish mainland to Islay, followed by another ferry to Jura and then several miles by bicycle, by bus or on foot to Craighouse.[1]
Many runners stay on the island for several days around the time of the event, attending the cèilidh held in conjunction with the race and experiencing other attractions of Jura.[2] A report of the 1997 race noted that three-quarters of the runners who started the race were running for English clubs.[3]
British fell running champions Ian Holmes and Angela Mudge have both identified Jura as one of their favourite races.[4]
Due to the striking contrast between the rough terrain of the majority of the course and the final section on the road, runners have in some cases changed from fell running shoes to road running shoes for the latter part in an attempt to run more efficiently on the tarmac. However, the action of changing shoes during the race has sometimes led to cramp.[5]
- ^ Angela Mudge, World's Ultimate Running Races (Glasgow, 2011), 164.
- ^ Phil Hodgson, "The Jura Experience", The Fellrunner, Oct 2000, 15 Archived 2014-07-04 at the Wayback Machine; Phil Goth, "Another Jura Adventure", The Fellrunner Magazine, Oct 2002, 22 Archived 2014-07-04 at the Wayback Machine; DIDGE1973 on YouTube: Isle of Jura Fell Race.
- ^ "The Fellrunner, Oct 1997, Results section, 6" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-01-01. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
- ^ Pete Bland Sports Sponsored Athletes: Ian Holmes; Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine Salomon Trail Tour: Angela Mudge.
- ^ Graham Arthur, "The Isle of Jura Fell Race from my Corner of the Room", The Fellrunner, Spring 2013, 74-75; Jura Fell Race: 2014 Jura Race Report. Archived 2016-10-24 at the Wayback Machine