The ‘Heb 3 Challenge’, now in its 30th year, is to complete at least three of the five of the Western Isles and Skye Half Marathons – Stornoway, Harris, Benbecula, Barra or Skye – in any one year.

Only the Stornoway (25 May), Benbecula (1 June) and Isle of Skye (8 June) Half Marathons have places remaining.

The Barrathon (29 June) is running a waiting list and the Harris Half (6 July) is now full.

The five events form the longest running series of half marathons in Scotland, and their popularity is only growing. In 2018, four of the five races sold out before race day.

Runners intending to take on the ‘Heb 3 Challenge’ must register their intention online in advance to assist in the organisation of the event.

Challenge registrations are limited and must close 1 June 2019, if not before. Only those registered will be eligible for Heb 3 category prizes, be included in the series results, and receive the Heb 3 T-shirt.

Series prizes are normally sourced from the islands, and will be awarded immediately after the Harris Half prize giving on 6 July.

Organisers stress that in addition to registering for the series challenge, runners also need to enter each of the races they intend to take part in and pay their separate entry fees.

Runners can take on all five races if they like, but only their best three times will count. Those finishing all five will, however, receive a special T-shirt, overprinted with 'rinn mise na coig' (‘I did the five’) on the back.

Image: The Heb 3 Team Trophy, featuring a stone from each of the five islands