Skye half marathon set for record entry in 2018
RACE organisers are expecting entries for the 2018 installment of the Isle of Skye Half Marathon in 2018 to sell out in record time, with more than 800 runners having put their name down already.
This follows the news last week that Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) will once again be the headline sponsor for one of the island’s biggest sporting events.
A major highlight of the UK running calendar, and one of the world’s most scenic races, the Scottish Salmon Company Isle of Skye Half Marathon will take place on Saturday June 9. With entries already surpassing the 800, places in this year’s race look set to sell out in record time.
The event, which has grown hugely in size and popularity since it began 34 years ago, will start and end at Portree High School.
With breath-taking views of Ben Tianavaig, The Old Man of Storr, Isle of Raasay and the Cuillin mountain range, runners taking part in The Scottish Salmon Company Isle of Skye Half Marathon experience some of the most stunning Scotland has to offer.
In a change to previous events, the 2018 race will see the course reversed with a full road closure in place offering a more gradual climb for the start of the race before putting runners to the test for the remainder of the course.
Mark Crowe, race director, scenery said: ‘Despite the weather, the 2017 half marathon was a huge success with 1,000 entry places made available for the first time in our history. The support we have received from The Scottish Salmon Company has allowed us to grow the event in a variety of areas and we are really looking forward to working together again for the 2018 race. The help we receive from local businesses is crucial to the success of the half marathon and its associated events. The race is a real community occasion and we already welcome runners from all over the world but with continued support from The Scottish Salmon Company it has potential to grow even bigger.’
The announcement is part of a new three-year partnership with SSC which will continue to support the race committee in its planning and organisation.
This is the second year in a row the aquaculture copmpany has sponsored the event. Craig Anderson, chief executive of The Scottish Salmon Company, added: ‘Mark and his colleagues on the race committee do a fantastic job and work incredibly hard in order to ensure the event goes smoothly.’