After losing its official status as a marathon – because of the number of potholes on the route – an iconic Highland road race is to end after 20 years.
The Cape Wrath Challenge is not closing due to a lack of popularity – in fact it is over subscribed every year – attracting around 200 runners and their families every May.
But organisers Durness Active Health say a lack of volunteers has caused it to decide that 2021 will be the last challenge. It will also mark 20 years of the event, which is a week-long series of runs culminating in the famous Cape Wrath Marathon.
Durness Active Health recently invited local residents to an ‘extraordinary meeting’ to discuss the future.
“The ‘challenge’ was originally expected to have a ten year lifespan and whilst it has gone from strength to strength over the years, the responsibility of organising it has fallen on an ever decreasing group of volunteers,” said the organisers.
“It is with great regret and much sadness that we, the trustees of Durness Active Health have voted unanimously that the final Cape Wrath Challenge will be held in May 2021 – the event’s 20th anniversary and that the charity will apply to OSCR (the Scottish Charity Register) for Durness Active Health to be dissolved after the final event.”