The recent relaxation of restrictions has heralded the return of two of Scotland’s most northerly events. 

From last Monday, Orkney and Shetland entered protection Level 1, which allows race organisers on those islands to hold events with up to 1000 participants in bubbles of up to 100.

Organised by the Orkney Athletic Club as the first event of their racing seaon, the 2021 Kirkwall 10k will be held on Sunday, 20 June. The event, which will also serve as the Orkney Championship, will be open to runners from across the UK.  The limit on entries is currently set at 100.

Organisers of Shetland’s Simmer Dim Half Marathon – the UK’s most northerly SA-licensed event of its kind – are taking a more cautious approach.

The road-based event, which will also be held on on Sunday, 20 June, will initially be open by application only to residents of Shetland. 

If the event is not sold out by 31 May, Shetland AAC may open up the race to entries from non-residents – provided such a course of action is deemed ‘suitable and in accordance with government guidelines’.  As the race has a current entry limit of 100 – effectively one bubble – further entries may be unlikely.

As for island events in July, the organisers of Run St Magnus took the decision to cancel the Kirkwall festival’s  marathon – the UK’s most northerly – earlier this year. Due to the less intensive organisation required for shorter races, they still hope to be able to hold a 5k and 10k around the festival’s original date of 4 July.  A decision on those events is expected later this month.