Rat Racers take on gruelling Arran Ultra Tour

The Ultra Tour of Arran involves participants running a distance of 97 kilometres with 4,000 metres of ascent across the island.

The race kicks off Rat Race’s annual calendar of adventure events all over the world it was the sixth time Ultra Tour of Arran to be hosted by the organisation.

From the event base and campsite set up at Ormidale Sports Park, participants completed two loops of the island, running to the south coast on Saturday and the north coast on Sunday. After climbing from sea level to 200 metres four separate times during the run to Kildonan and back on day one - taking in Dun Fion, Giant’s Graves, Loch Garbad and Meall Bhuidhe - runners had to repeat the feat and tackle the mountains of the north end on day two.

On Sunday entrants ran up Glen Rosa, past Cir Mhor, over Caisteal Abhail and down to Lochranza. From there they head round the Cock of Arran to Sannox, then up Glen Sannox to the Saddle, taking in North Goatfell and Goatfell on their way back to the Ormidale starting point.

Around 50 staff and volunteers keep the event running smoothly, including many medics and mountain leaders from the island and who were stationed at various points along the route.

Event leader, James Campbell, said: “We get such a warm welcome on Arran, and many of our participants extend their stay on the island beyond the event. We would like to thank the whole community on Arran and all the stakeholders that help make the event operate so well.”

Entries are already open for next year with the Rat Race Ultra Tour of Arran scheduled for two days starting on April 10, 2027.