There was trepidation at the start line yesterday. Even the old hands with stacks of experience in wild places were bracing for possible impact after snow had appeared on the peaks overnight and rain had pattered on the rooves of their tents throughout the night.

The forecasted storm didn’t quite materialise and the race began in mild and dry, though humid, conditions. By the time the runners encountered the stunning views on their first loop of the peninsula, they were in great spirits.

The rains came a little after lunch to dampen those and, though never exactly heavy, were relentless. Those who were out the longest on the course were cold and wet by the time they reached camp.

All the runners did reach camp though, an excellent result in such technical and challenging terrain. The big climb up and over from Inverie to Barrisdale across the Rough Bounds is extremely tough. Once runners reach CP2 back at sea level it’s easy for them to assume the last stretch will be easy. Not at all. The lochside stretch to Kinloch Hourn is a conveyor belt of short, sharp technical climbs interspersed with ankle deep bog.

Joint first today were Axel Jansson and Fredrik Pettersen. Over the course of the 2nd half of the stage the duo overtook Matt Pilgrim who had a commanding lead during the long winding climb out of Inverie this morning. Matt arrived in 3rd at the finish, just 20 minutes behind.

Lauren Gregory is the first woman currently after a day that never seemed to phase her. She was 6th over the line overall. 2nd and 3rd women home were Susie Drinkwater and Sarah Scarth.

STAGE ONE RESULTS