SUSTAINABLE ISLE OF SKYE HALF MARATHON – THE RESULTS ARE IN

Sustainable Isle of Skye Half Marathon – the results are in. The Scottish Salmon Company Isle of Skye Half Marathon 2022 took place on Saturday 11 June against some challenging weather conditions of rain and wind gusting up to 45mph. Runners enjoyed breath-taking views of the world-famous local landscape throughout the 13.1mile closed-road course, as well as Scottish food and entertainment at the start and finishing area. The event was good news for local businesses, with runners keen to experience all the island has to offer.

Kate Forbes, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy and local MSP for the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency, took time out to support the Race and to start both the Half Marathon Runners and the 120 1.6mile Fun Runners. This year, the Half Marathon was also the host race for the North District Half Marathon Championship.

The Men’s winner, Gordon Lennox of Forres Harriers, Highland Hill Runners, Inverness and Inverness Harriers AAC, crossed the finish line at Portree High School with a time of 1:13:36. Second was Skye local Mark MacDonald of Skye & Lochalsh Running Club, Skye and Lochash RC in 1:14:24, and third was Andrew Grieve of Glasgow University Hares & Hounds in 1:18:38.

Taking home first place in the Women’s race was local Sarah Attwood of Skye & Lochalsh Running Club, who crossed the finishing with a time of 1:27:37. Second was Alix Wrighton in 1:36:40 and third Vanessa Ratjen in 1:38:43.

This year sustainable was at the heart of the race, and medals were designed by S3 Graphic Communication students from Portree High School. The class ran a competition and picked the winning design by Violet Matheson, 14, to be presented at the finishing line to all finishers. The medals were made out of 4mm plywood and all produced in-house at the school. As the medals were made to order it ensured that the right amount were made and there wasn’t any waste.

David Taylor, Head of Production at The Scottish Salmon Company, said:

“The Scottish Salmon Company Isle of Skye Half Marathon is an iconic race in the running community calendar benefitting both participants and the local community. It’s a real joy to sponsor the race for the sixth year running. Congratulations to all of the runners who took part and a special well done to Violet for the impressive medal design.”

Fiona Baker, Project Manager for Skye Events, said:

“We continue to find ways to reduce the impact our races have on the community, and our beautiful island ,with carbon reduction measures, sustainable medals and merchandise, and the eradication of single use plastic. The Race was a huge success, despite the absolute deluge of rain and testing conditions for both runners and all our amazing volunteers who make the day run seamlessly. We were delighted to welcome Kate Forbes to start the race, and most appreciative of the support once again of The Scottish Salmon Company.

“This year has been all about recovery from the Pandemic and getting back to race events. And perhaps more important, it’s been about Skye Events supporting local charities and voluntary groups who have had such a difficult time with Covid. Sponsorship of our events enable us to donate profits back into the community and this year a charitable donation of £5,000 will be shared amongst five chosen charities.”

Sustainability initiatives for the 2022 The Scottish Salmon Company Isle of Skye Half Marathon included:

• Plant a tree – All runners were offered an affordable opportunity to offset their carbon by planting a tree at the Isle of Skye Half Marathon Grove, for just £6
• Race T-shirts – To reduce waste of unwanted T-shirts, eco-friendly technical t-shirts were available to buy at the merchandise stall
• Race drinking water – Runners were asked to be self-sufficient with their hydration by providing their own water carriers. Water refill stations were available at four water stations throughout the course. Emergency eco-friendly Tetra Pak cartons were also stationed along the route for those who need
• Medals – Medals were more sustainable and made to order
• Lift share – Runners travelling to the Isle of Skye were asked to consider a lift share

The event raised more than £5,000 for local community groups and charities including Skye Cancer Care, Skye and Lochalsh Citizens Advice Bureau, Skye Radio, Highland Dancers, PB Community Trust as well as Girl-guiding Scotland with the island’s Brownie unit running the water stations.