500 runners took part in the inaugural Ultra Tour of Edinburgh, a 34.2 mile ultra distance run in the Scottish capital, the latest event from Rat Race Adventure Sports.

The Ultra Tour of Edinburgh (UTE) is a tough, fully waymarked, mixed terrain running journey round Edinburgh, from the Braveheart charge down the Royal Mile to the finish at Murrayfield Stadium.  Runners travelled through the streets, alleyways and parklands of the city centre, onto hills, up crags, along rivers and canals and past monuments, museums, seats of Royalty and Government; from the occasional sojourn totally off road to enjoy the hill top views of three Pentland Hills to the coastal waters and harbours of Newhaven and Leith.  The route included a challenging 3000 feet of ascent and descent over the 55km route.  See rough route below.

Images can be downloaded from Dropbox by going to:    https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ejinnsewosp7pu2/AACVKlDbwObM70gxvf-3pDsKa?dl=0    Please credit as indicated.

First Ultra Tour of Edinburgh Winners:

First Male – Adam Rouse (43) from Ratho – 4:13:40

First Female – Nicola Duncan (35) from Edinburgh – 4:51:23

About The Route

Jim Mee, MD of Rat Race Adventure Sports, said: “Edinburgh is one of the few cities in the UK where you can stage the perfect urban ultra run.  It allows for a multi terrain journey through the city that includes historic urban landscapes and evocative landmarks together with parks, hills, rivers, cycleways, old railway tunnels, canals and coastal waters.  The Ultra Tour truly is a tour-de-force of World renowned Edinburgh sightseeing all wrapped up in an ultra distance running format.”

Stewart Caithness, the race director and course designer, said:  “We have purposely designed the Ultra Tour route with relatively few miles being run on the main road.  Instead the route uses parkland, cycle ways, hill tracks, riverside trails and canal towpaths. It highlights to both visitors and those who already live here just how well connected the city is when escaping public roads, a fantastic and easily navigated network that I have explored and enjoyed over the years as a resident of the city.

“Edinburgh is hauntingly beautiful, rugged and famous in equal measure. It offers a completely engaging running experience, an exciting city adventure, with stunning views and sights round ever corner on ever-changing terrain.  Where better to try your first ultra distance run?”

The Ultra Tour of Edinburgh route 

• Start at 07:30 from St Giles Cathedral – with a massed Braveheart style charge down the Royal Mile (closed to traffic) to The Scottish Parliament, The Palace of Holyroodhouse and into Holyrood Park
• Climb the Radical Road, a steep rocky path at the edge of the Salisbury Crags set against the backdrop of Arthur’s Seat with stunning views across Edinburgh
• The Commonwealth Pool and the Innocent Railway Tunnel
• Craigmillar Castle Park – running past the castle
• Blackford Hill and the Royal Observatory
• Pentland Hills, summiting three Pentland hills – Caerketton, Allermuir and Capelaw
• The Water of Leith
• Past Edinburgh Zoo
• Corstorphine Hill
• Granton / Newhaven Harbour
• Ocean Terminal
• Leith
• New Town / Stockbridge / Dean Village
• Finish pitch-side at Murrayfield Stadium.  First runner expected 11.25 (17.20 last runner expected / cut off 17.30)