All roads lead to Arisaig for Festival of Running return
Arisaig residents are gearing up to welcome back one of the most scenic sporting events in the country.
The Road to the Isles Marathon and Festival of Running is making a return after a two-year absence and organisers at Mallaig Pool and Leisure and villagers are looking forward to welcoming participants of all ages and abilities.
This year’s festival will take place on Saturday May 7.
Event director Fiona Baker said: ‘It’s exciting to see the festival returning.
‘We all want to see life return to a bit of normality after two extraordinary years and what better kind of festival than one that celebrates health, fitness and wellbeing in the most beautiful outdoor setting.
‘The day has a great vibe and is family oriented with a run or walk for all levels and abilities, including an under five years 800 metre challenge.
‘The community comes together to make the day happen with amazing hospitality, great food and baking, live music and a ceilidh in the evening. It’ll be a good day.’
The route takes entrants along some of the most beautiful minor roads in the UK with amazing uninterrupted views to the islands of Muck, Rum and Eigg, and alongside the pristine white Caribbean-like Silver Sands and Camusdarach beaches.
Provisional start times: full marathon, 9.30am; half marathon, 11.30am; 10k, noon, and 5k, 12.15pm.
All competitors receive a free Road to the Isles Running Festival t-shirt.
For non-runners, there is a ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ starting at 10.30am following the half marathon route.
For the youngest members of the family, Mallaig Pool and Leisure is introducing a ‘Wee Run’ - 800m - for those aged five years and under. The Wee Run goes under starters orders at 12.30pm.
Mallaig Pool and Leisure founded Road to the Isles Events in 2017 after hosting a small scale running event for a number of years previously.
As part of a project to raise money to renovate Mallaig Pool and to extend the cafe, the Road to the Isles festival was established. The event was upscaled and rebranded to make it a real destination running festival which now attracts national and international runners.
The festival can accommodate up to 500 competitors. Arisaig is a small village so numbers need to remain at this level to respect village residents and the environment.
Fiona added: ‘We look forward to welcoming everyone back and thank entrants old and new for all their support.
‘Mallaig Pool and Leisure is a social enterprise run by a small dedicated team and community volunteers. All profits from this event go towards the costs of running future events and for the day-to-day running of the centre.’
For more information and to view the routes go to http:// www.mallaigleisure.org.uk/ festival-of-running/ or https:// www.entrycentral.com/ Arisaig-Festival-of-Running to enter.
On Saturday September 10, Mallaig Pool and Leisure will be hosting The Road to the Isles Traigh Triathlon.
Entry for this event will open soon.