In June, two women, aka The Snails Nails, plan to run 700 miles off-road from the most westerly point of the UK at Ardnamurchan point to the most northerly point at John o’ Groats.
Their run will take them along the very north-west edge of Scotland, following much of the wild and rugged 200-mile Cape Wrath Trail, and will include a total ascent of 80,000ft, which is almost three times the height of Everest.
They are planning to run the route in just six weeks while carrying all their own kit.
Who are The Snails Nails?
The Snails Nails are Sarah Morton and Laraine Wyn-Jones, who enjoy going in search of adventure together. The women met while climbing all 14 of the Welsh 3000 peaks in association with Gore-Tex and Adventure Travel Magazine.
Since then they have run trails and climbed mountains together in Wales, Scotland, the Lake District and the Alps.
The team name refers to the women’s sure and steady pace and their liking for carrying their homes on their back.
Sarah is in the process of completing her PhD and uses trail running as a way to escape her computer. She splits her time between Scotland and Chamonix.
Laraine relishes taking on endurance challenges, whether it’s marathon running, coast-to-coast mountain biking or 2- hour hikes. Having recently left the corporate world of IT Project Management, she has moved to Scotland to pursue a career as a freelance writer.
Why take on Running North?
Sarah and Laraine want to take on a new challenge that is different from anything they have done before and will also push them to their limits. They will also be raising funds for two charities.
The Stroke Association has been chosen by Laraine after her husband suffered a stroke, aged just 30. While he has made a good recovery, Laraine is keen to raise awareness and understanding of strokes, particularly in younger people.
Yogability, a Bearsden-based charity that provides free yoga to children and adults with special needs.
Running North highlights
- From Scotland’s most westerly point to the most northerly point over six weeks and amounting to a quarter of the entire coastline of Scotland.
- The women aim to ensure that the coastline is in view at all times.
- Avoiding roads/tarmac (unless no other option) and following coastal walking routes, trails and beach.
- Passing through some of Scotland’s wildest, remotest and most rugged regions including Assynt, Cape Wrath and Torridon.
- Reaching a high point at the top of the Bealach na Ba, an Alpine-style hairpin-bend mountain pass that rises from sea level to 2,054 ft with gradient up to 20%.
The Snail Nails are being sponsored by Sealskinz
To find to more see www.thesnailsnails.wordpress.com
I wish these mad but adventurous women all the best…