Running North
Fancy running in the UK's most northerly marathon?
How about heading north, and we mean really north for the UK's most northerly marathon? For this 'superlative' event you will need to leave the mainland behind, by sea or air, and make your way to Orkney.
The sixth outing of the St. Magnus Marathon is set for 2 July, so a nice summer date which will hopefully bring with it some favourable conditions. We say hopefully, as this year's race was somewhat dreich!
Organised by Birsay Community Association, the marathon starts at 10am from Kirkwall’s St. Magnus Cathedral (hence the name). The route then heads to the ancient Christ’s Kirk in Birsay, recreating the journey which was undertaken by his followers after the martyrdom of the Viking Earl Magnus. It finishes at the nearby Birsay Community Hall.
Organisers say this is a challenging but beautiful, scenic route through Orkney's west mainland and they urge those interested to sign up soon! In fact, early bird entry ends at the end of January. They say: "£40 gets you a medal, fantastic goody bag, t-shirt and the chance to run 26.2 lovely miles across Orkney."
For those looking for less of a challenge, the St. Magnus 10K will take place on the same day and enjoys a circular route from the Birsay Community Hall round the Loch of Boardhouse. This is billed as 'a wonderfully scenic' road run and there will also be a 5K event for families to enjoy together.
Catering and refreshments will be available from 10am on the day at the Birsay Hall, where there is a children's playpark and there will be a prize giving in the hall after the event.
If you'd like to know more visit the St Magnus Marathon Facebook page. or enter online here.
Image: St Magnus Marathon Facebook